Latest news with #TasmanianDevils
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
‘Really amazing': joy as 10 Tasmanian devil joeys emerge from Australia's biggest mainland breeding program
Ten tiny, egg-like joeys have been confirmed as the newest members of mainland Australia's largest fleet of Tasmanian devils. It comes after the first pouch check of the 2025 breeding season at Aussie Ark's Barrington Tops sanctuary in northern NSW. A recent deluge that brought more than 600mm to the region didn't rain on the devils' parade, with a spokesperson saying all the joeys, mums and dads were safe. Operation manager, Dean Reid, said up to four more devils are expected to conceive in June in the final breeding window of the year. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'It's really amazing to be able to handle a devil … and see those amazing devils come out of the pouch,' Reid said on Thursday. 'These gnarly, big, chunky animals have little baby joeys in their pouch. 'We've got four more females that didn't have them and one we missed, so more joeys to come.' The Tasmanian devils' mating season occurs over three cycles from February to June, with birth coming after 21 days' gestation. When catching the devils, the conservationists found there was a mix of joeys from the first and second cycle conceptions. Reid also said the joeys' fathers and mothers were doing well. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'While we have the females, we do a full health check, we're doing body scores, weight and giving them preventatives,' Reid said. 'In a couple of months, we're going to see little tiny joeys running around.' The announcement comes on World Environment Day.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff's political future hangs in the balance as debate on no-confidence motion to enter second day
A debate on a no-confidence motion against Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is set to enter a second day after he vowed to fight to stay in power. The state's Labor leader Dean Winter filed the motion fearing Tasmania may go "broke" and claimed the minority Liberal government had mismanaged the budget. He also has no confidence in its plans to privatise government-business enterprises, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry replacement project, and the new almost $1 billion Hobart stadium, which is set to be the home of the AFL's 19th team, the Tasmanian Devils. A fiery debate in parliament which started mid-Wednesday morning and concluded about 7.30pm ended with no final vote, meaning it is set to continue on Thursday. Mr Rockliff and Mr Winter were each given 40 minutes to deliver their case in the House of Assembly, which led to the pair throwing accusations at one another. The state Labor leader claimed the instability of the government was the fault of the Premier and that he could not "stand by and allow this mess to continue". In response, Mr Rockliff said his political opponent was forcing Tasmanians back to the polls and that the state's future and major projects will be under threat. "I will fight for my last breath to ensure that we remain in government and to ensure that we continue delivering for the people of Tasmania," he said. Other MPs were allocated 20 minutes to speak. Leader of the House Eric Abetz said the state's future dream of having a Tasmanian AFL team may be in danger from Labor's no-confidence motion. Tasmanian Devils general manager Kathryn McCann on Wednesday broke down in tears during a press conference amid the uncertainty of a stadium. 'Well done Leader of the Opposition, well done to every single Labor member who occasioned that breakdown,' Mr Abetz said. 'Everything is dispensable in your grasp for power." Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has proposed to Labor forming a coalition between the two parties to avoid going to another "costly" election. 'And it is him who needs to stand up and do his best to form a minority government with members of the crossbench… in the best interests of Tasmanians. The Greens will work in good faith to form an arrangement of minority government," she said. The majority of the 35 members have indicated they will back Labor's move.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
What the political turmoil means for the Tasmanian Devils AFL team and Hobart stadium
Tasmania's AFL licence hangs by the barest of threads, following a day of mass upheaval in the state parliament. A no-confidence motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff, moved by the Labor opposition and supported by a majority of the house, was being debated into Wednesday evening. The outcome is likely to result in the ousting of Mr Rockliff as premier, potentially sending Tasmanians back to the polls, a little over a year since the last election. That potential election throws the Macquarie Point stadium, and plans for the Tasmanian Devils, into chaos. At a press conference this morning, Devils general manager of marketing, corporate affairs and social impact, Kath McCann, broke down in tears when discussing the possibility of the team falling over before formally starting. "The goings on of the last 24 hours are really serious for the club. This is an unprecedented level of uncertainty for the club," she said. Both houses of Tasmania's parliament were due to vote on special enabling legislation designed to grant planning approval for the stadium, within the next six weeks. But an early election could see that opportunity to vote disappear, leading to what the club would consider an irreparable blowout in construction and team establishment timelines. The Devils have accepted that outcome would likely void the government's deal with the AFL, that stipulates the Macquarie Point stadium be built by early 2029. "It'd be fair to say that the level of uncertainty would be significantly heightened," McCann said. There has been no appetite from the AFL, or its 18 club presidents, to re-negotiate or rubber stump a new deal that allows those timelines to be extended, or for the stadium clause to be removed. "If those contractual terms can't be met, there's no Plan B. There is no understanding from the club that a re-negotiation would be entered into," Ms McCann said. The AFL has been contacted for comment. Former Richmond champion Jack Riewoldt has been working with the Devils on an advisory basis. He said the club remained focused on taking to the field in 2028 but was wary of the unfolding political situation. "It's critically important for us to exist," he said of the stadium. Champion woodchopper David Foster has also been recruited to the club as part of a 'posters and coasters' campaign in pubs and clubs across the north-west. "We're our own worst enemy, to be honest with you," he said. The stadium is considered pivotal to the state's financial viability and was first floated by the Tasmanian AFL taskforce as part of its original bid for a license. Amidst speculation that Labor may attempt to pivot to the alternate Stadium 2.0 proposal, the ABC understands the party has communicated to the Devils that was unequivocally not in their plans. Stakeholders and unions have expressed their concern that the stadium is now under a dark cloud. "I envisaged there being a decade's worth of work off the back of a stadium, and that sures up a lot of work for our members into the future," said Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union organiser Ritchie Hassett. Footy fans have reacted to the no-confidence motion with scorn too. In a post on a popular pro-stadium social media page which boasts 23,000 members, administrator Mark Brown said Opposition leader Dean Winter and Labor member for Clark Josh Willie has been booted from the group. Labor has supported the government's plans to build a stadium as part of its deal with the AFL since early last year. In parliament, Mr Winter insisted that the no-confidence motion was not about the stadium or team. "You can have the leader of the Greens, and the Greens and others, saying 'yes team, no stadium' but its not true. They know its not true," he said. "In order for our state to get an AFL team, we need a stadium and that's why it's not in our motion. "We supported the premier in building the stadium that he wanted to do, but that's not what this motion is about." This afternoon, the Greens attempted to pass an amendment to the motion that would have made specific reference to the stadium, but that was voted down 25 votes to 10. Mr Rockliff has previously indicated that if a no-confidence motion was passed against him, he would seek to call an election, but whether that happens remains to be seen. He may decide to resign his leadership and allow a fellow Liberal party member take his place — but that would require the support of the house. Amongst the leading candidates is the minister responsible for the stadium, Eric Abetz, but whether he would have the support of the house is unclear.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
AFL's Tasmania expansion on a knife edge amid state political uncertainty
The AFL's expansion into Tasmania is on a knife edge as the state's politicians consider a move to oust premier Jeremy Rockliff, which would trigger a shake up and potentially torpedo the Devils' plans to join the league. The Devils on Wednesday said the political uncertainty was cause for 'great concern' and presented 'a serious risk … for the future of Tasmania Football Club'. The club, which has already attracted 210,000 members, is due to enter the competition in 2028 under an agreement with the AFL, and move into the newly complete venue on the Hobart waterfront the following year. One of the conditions set by the AFL for a new team in Tasmania was a roofed stadium, but the expensive project – set to cost around $1bn – faces opposition from some in Tasmania, who instead have called for the money to be spent elsewhere. The Greens have declared they support a motion of no-confidence in the premier put forward by Labor's opposition leader Dean Winter. In Parliament on Wednesday morning, Greens leader Dr Rosalie Woodruff called for the motion to explicitly mention the government's handling of the stadium. But Winter responded by saying he would not support the amendment, and the no-confidence motion was focused on the state of the budget. In a dramatic day in Hobart, Devils' head of corporate affairs Kath McCann was emotional at a press conference as she described there is no 'plan B' to renegotiate the deal with the AFL. 'It'd be fair to say that the level of uncertainty would be significantly heightened, and in fact, some of those scenarios don't beg thinking about for the club here today,' McCann said, via the ABC. 'The optics nationally and internationally are really negative for Tasmania, what this looks like is uncertainly, a risk to invest and a state that isn't unified.' The Devils had earlier taken the unusual step of offering a public statement amidst the political uncertainty. 'We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part,' it said. On Tuesday in Melbourne, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the competition had already been planning for the weekly bye for one team that would come with entry of the Devils as 19th team, and anticipated the stadium's enabling legislation would be discussed in the lower house later this month and the upper house early in July. 'The Tasmanian government and [Devils CEO] Brendon Gale and the Tassie Devils have done a power of work and we're really confident in 2028,' he said.
Observer
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Observer
Australia victims confront damage after deluge
TAREE: Flood victims confronted damage from a record deluge in eastern Australia on Friday, returning to find their homes caked in silt, cars half submerged and streets littered with debris. Four bodies have been pulled from floodwater in northern New South Wales, a fertile region of rivers and valleys about 400 kilometres from Sydney. The storms dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, according to the government weather bureau, smashing records in some areas. In Taree, one of the worst-hit towns, the swollen Manning River broke a 96-year record. People picked through piles of sodden trash dumped in the town centre, searching for anything salvageable. Rescue worker Jason Harvey said the immediate flood emergency was over but the clean up had just begun. "Emotions were high as we were rescuing a lot of people who are distraught when we get to them," he said. "We are now at that clean up stage. I am glad it is over," he said. The rising tides cut off tens of thousands of people, forcing some to clamber atop cars, houses and highway bridges before helicopters winched them away. Rescue crews have plucked more than 600 people to safety since the waters started rising earlier this week. State Emergency Service head Dallas Burnes warned that even as the floods recede, the stagnant, muddy lakes still poses a threat, including from snakes that may have slithered into homes. "Floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes. You need to assess those risks. "Electricity can also pose a danger as well." He said recovery efforts were focused on "resupplying the isolated communities". As he travelled into the disaster zone on Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the situation as "horrific". "The Australian Defence Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required," he said. "There's been massive damage to infrastructure and we're going to have to all really pitch in." The government has declared the floods a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areas. About 50,000 people had been cut off from help at the height of the disaster, authorities said. Flash floods also threatened a wildlife sanctuary breeding endangered Tasmanian Devils, a meat-eating native marsupial. "Our hardworking team has been out in tough conditions, moving animals to safety and getting food to where it's needed most," the Aussie Ark sanctuary said in a statement. On the coast, people spotted dead cows washing up after rivers swept them from their pastures. — AFP
