Laura Beavis
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Journalist for ABC News, based in Hobart, Tasmania. Views expressed are my own. Retweets do not imply endorsement.
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Articles by Laura Beavis
Mary Massina, head of Hobart's Macquarie Point Development Corporation, received $246,000 'termination' payout'
Mary Massina was appointed chief executive of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation in 2017 and departed in July 2022. An agency of the state government, the MPDC was formed in 2012 to manage the waterfront site, but has faced criticism progress has been too slow despite millions of dollars spent in funding. In 2022, Ms Massina was paid $246,000 in "termination benefits".
Elise Archer 'reconsidering' quitting parliament, could trigger early election for Tasmanian Liberals
In short: Former Tasmanian attorney-general Elise Archer says she's reconsidering whether she'll resign from state parliament after an "outpouring of community support". Ms Archer has already quit the Liberal Party, so if she stays in parliament she'll sit as an independent. An electoral analyst says that might force the Premier to call an early election.
Elise Archer says 'sick of victim-survivors' message taken out of context, part of Liberals smear campaign
In short: On Saturday, it was revealed former Tasmanian attorney-general Elise Archer sent a message last year in which she said she was "sick of victim-survivors" Ms Archer says the message referred to victim-survivors who had been abusing her on social media and has been taken out of context. She accused the office of Premier Jeremy Rockliff of leaking the message to damage her, while the premier has declined to comment.
Australia-first program to let pharmacists prescribe medications instead of a GP in rural areas
In short: An Australian-first program will allow Tasmanian pharmacists to prescribe medications to people in remote areas and aged care homes. The Tasmanian government says the move is necessary to help Tasmanians who struggle to get appointments with general practitioners. Pharmacists have welcomed the move, saying it'll improve access to healthcare for people in regional areas.
Would free public transport on Tasmania's Metro buses be a good idea or a waste of money?
What if public transport was free? In Tasmania, it's already happened once. For five weeks last year post-pandemic and as cost of living was biting, bus services — both Metro buses and private operators — stopped collecting fares. The state government says the move cost them $2.3 million. But now the Greens are pushing to make it permanent for at least Metro buses, servicing Hobart, Launceston and the Burnie region. Near the Elizabeth Street Mall, Hobartian Patrick Hinton thought it was a good idea.
Trainee nurse says overworked ED staff at Hobart hospital misdiagnosed life-threatening condition
In short: Tasmanian mother-of-five Cass Whitehill says she was sent home from the Royal Hobart Hospital's emergency department with a prescription for pain killers, despite tests showing she had potentially fatal blood clots in her lungs. Ms Whitehill, who is studying to be a nurse, now has to undergo further testing to check if the blood clots have damaged her heart. She has lodged a complaint with the Tasmanian Health Service over her treatment. What's next?
Commuters react to news Metro will cut bus services to deal with driver shortage
In short: Tasmania's main public bus operator Metro says it will cut 180 services to deal with a driver shortage What's next? Commuters and Labor have blasted the cuts, with one government minister saying a lack of drivers is due to low unemployment, describing that as a "good problem" Hobart commuter Sharyn Easthaugh is blunt when asked to describe the ongoing cancellation of Metro bus trips in Tasmania's capital city. "It's mad, it's crazy," the South Hobart resident said.
Marinus Link project cost blowout means the Tasmanian premier needs to walk a tightrope with independents, voters
While the proposed Marinus Link undersea cable project might aim to deliver electricity between Tasmania and Victoria, premier Jeremy Rockliff is starting to realise it could take power away from him. Too many of the people whose support the Tasmanian Liberal government depends on are asking questions about the project for Mr Rockliff to continue to give his unconditional support.
Jeremy Rockliff had no choice but to rule out forced council amalgamations
It was inevitable Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff would have to rule out forcing local councils to amalgamate. He's leading a minority government, facing a growing backlash from Liberal branch members in rural areas and the opposition is taking every opportunity to weaponise the issue. Whenever the next state election is called, the phrase "forced council amalgamations" would be on corflutes on every roadside.
Coroner delivers scathing report on Ambulance Tasmania parademic's drug death Original
In short: A coroner has delivered a damning report on the culture and management at Ambulance Tasmania, after a paramedic took his own life with drugs he had stolen from the Ambulance Tasmania store What's next? Coroner Olivia McTaggart has recommended the introduction of mandatory drug and psychological testing for paramedics WARNING: This story includes discussion of suicide.
Independent MP John Tucker holds the Tasmanian government's fate in his hands. He just accused them of a cover up
For years John Tucker has stood behind Liberal ministers at government announcements, a big man in a big hat, nodding but keeping his mouth shut like a good backbencher has to. A little more than a month after he quit the Liberal Party, plunging Tasmania's government into minority, he's speaking his mind. "What is this government trying to hide?" Mr Tucker asked during a speech in Tasmania's House of Assembly on Tuesday night.
Investigators say fire at Ashley Youth Detention Centre deliberately lit
In short: A worker was taken to hospital for observation following a fire at Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre on Sunday, prompting calls for safer staffing levels. What's next?: Fire investigators say the fire was deliberately lit and assess the damage bill to be around $20,000 The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) said a fire at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre on Sunday was deliberately lit and caused around $20,000 damage.
Union calls for safer staffing after fire at Ashley youth detention centre
In short: A worker was taken to hospital for observation following a fire at Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre on Sunday, prompting calls for safer staffing levels. What's next?: Police and fire investigators are trying to determine what caused the blaze at the youth detention centre.
Renegade Tasmanian MP John Tucker flexes muscle in bid to get small town school upgrades
In short: Independent MP John Tucker has accused the Tasmanian education department and minister of inaction over maintenance problems at the St Helens District High School, and won't rule out using his power over the minority government to get the problems fixed. What's next?: Tasmania's education minister and department say repair works are underway and the school has submitted applications for other upgrades.
Tasmanian government's approach to stadium disclosure 'atrocious', says transparency expert Original
In short: The Tasmanian government says it cannot release departmental advice about plans to build a new stadium because they are covered by cabinet confidentiality. Experts on government transparency and integrity disagree. What's next? Transparency expert Rick Snell says Premier Jeremy Rockliff should show leadership by instructing his government to be as open and accountable as possible.
'She can't sleep properly, can't eat properly': Seven year-old Stacey* has been waiting years to get her tonsils out
In short: A shortage of ear, nose and throat specialists means Tasmanians who need urgent surgery are waiting over a year for procedures they're supposed to get within 30 days. What's next? Tasmania's health department has a working group trying to find ways to recruit more ear, nose and throat specialists and cut appointment waiting times. When her daughter Stacey* was five, Hobart mother Shakoda Turner noticed she kept getting tonsillitis and ear infections.
St Helen's Hospital patient says many are 'devastated' by its imminent closure
When members of the Living Well Women group learned that St Helen's Private Hospital in Hobart was closing next month, many cried.
Hobart to lose 31 mental health beds with closure of St Helen's Private Hospital in June
A private hospital in Hobart is closing in June, leaving the state with 31 fewer mental health beds and no inpatient mother and baby mental health unit.
'The worst we've seen': Teacher shortage hitting students with highest needs hardest
Rebecca Churchill's children Abby and Ollie are looking forward to going back to Risdon Vale Primary School on Hobart's eastern shore this week.
Court throws out Bob Brown Foundation challenge to MMG mine lease
An environmental group has lost its latest court battle with a mining company that's planning to build a controversial new tailings dam in Tasmania's west.
'Increasing irrelevance': Popular Liberal premiers sound warning to their party over Voice opposition
If you watched enough of Peter Gutwein's press conferences when he was Tasmanian premier — and there was plenty of opportunity during the first year of the pandemic — you would have quickly noticed how much he liked to say "to be frank". This week, almost a year after he shocked the state by leaving politics, Mr Gutwein was doing just that: being frank. Frank about his views on the federal Liberal Party's decision to oppose the Voice to Parliament in the coming referendum.
Drunk driver who 'irretrievably damaged' three lives sentenced to three years in prison
A Tasmanian woman who hit and severely injured three people while drunk driving on Bruny Island on New Year's Eve in 2021 has been sentenced to three years in prison.
'He was not breathing': Harry was two waves in at Shipstern Bluff when he hit his head on the ocean bottom
Big-wave surfer James Hollmer-Cross was sitting astride a jet ski watching his son Harry catch waves at Tasmania's famous Shipstern Bluff last Sunday, when he saw his worst nightmare come true.
After Labor's NSW election win, Tasmania is the final Liberal seat of power. Will it stay that way?
Tasmania provides a final refuge for many endangered species — from the iconic Tasmanian devil, to eastern quolls and swift parrots. Now, another species has been added to the list hanging on for life on the island state after going extinct on the mainland. Liberal governments. So after losing the federal election and then the NSW state election, should the Liberal Party look south for survival, or does the Tasmanian Liberal government also have prospects on par with the Tasmanian tiger?
More Tasmanians than ever homeless, census data shows, as Labor blasts 'decades of Liberal neglect'
Sonia Tate lives with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and emphysema.
Bob Brown Foundation, Sea Shepherd Global say Chinese krill super trawlers 'ploughing' through whale pods
Two environmental groups are calling for krill fishing to be outlawed, saying Chinese super trawlers are endangering pods of whales in the Southern Ocean.
A woman living with multiple sclerosis facing the prospect of living in a campervan
As a person living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Wendy Reid was warned to avoid stress, but recently she couldn't escape it.
Disability royal commission questions lack of accountability from leaders of service providers after abuse uncovered Original
A disability royal commissioner says he has been struck by the fact that "nobody seems to have been held accountable" at a disability service provider in the two years since abuse was uncovered.
Emergency departments have become a 'safety net' - and we're waiting in them longer than ever before
Melbourne mother Rachel Edmonds knows what it's like to wait for hours in a hospital emergency department — both as a patient and as the mother of a sick toddler.
Emergency departments have become a 'safety net' — and we're waiting in them ...
Melbourne mother Rachel Edmonds knows what it's like to wait for hours in a hospital emergency department - and new data from the Productivity ...
'These are children's lives': Fears for at-risk kids as investigation times blow-out
Chaya Rainbird is acutely aware of the ongoing problems in Tasmania's child protection system.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff encourages kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car proponents to keep proposal alive
Tasmania's Premier has encouraged the company behind a failed proposal to build a cableway to the top of kunanyi/Mount Wellington not to give up on the project.
Five facilities to replace Tasmania's 'house of horrors' Ashley youth detention facility
Five separate facilities with a preventative rather than punishment focus will replace Tasmania's notorious Ashley Youth Detention Centre, under a government "blueprint" to reform the state's youth justice system.
Hundreds of Tasmanian businesses desperate for solutions to avoid devastating power price hikes
Business groups have called for the Tasmanian government to offer a financial lifeline to hundreds of small and medium businesses that could soon face a doubling of their power bills.
Young detainee tells mum he is locked up for over 22 hours a day, amid more staff shortages at Ashley
Staff from the Northern Territory's problematic Don Dale youth detention facility could soon be working at Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre as understaffing continues to plague the facility.
'I'd gone past angry': Mum's anger, despair over son's hospital treatment as staff plea for system fix
One evening in June, Hobart mother Alice Moore noticed blood was "absolutely pouring" from her son Teddy's mouth and nose.
Launceston General Hospital patient dies after being ramped for more than nine hours
The death of a woman in her 70s who was ramped and waiting to be admitted to a Tasmanian hospital's emergency department for more than nine hours is "totally unacceptable" and shows the state's health system is crumbling, a union says.
Mum and passers-by did CPR on teen taken in taxi because no ambulance available
A Hobart woman who had to use a taxi to take her teenage son to the hospital because no ambulance was available had to perform CPR on the side of the road with the help of strangers until paramedics arrived.
New telescope mount helps Tasmanian observatory prevent 'catastrophic' collisions in space Original
A Tasmanian observatory will be able to track fast-moving satellites and help prevent space junk collisions with "catastrophic consequences" after a new mount was donated by a technology company.
COVID-19 pushes Hobart hospital to highest escalation level as nurses threaten strike
Nurses at Tasmania's biggest public hospital are threatening to go on strike next week as the state's health service faces increasing pressure from a surge in COVID cases.
Tasmanians still on the hook for multi-billion dollar power project which will mostly benefit Victorians Original
It was the hot topic of letters between former PM Scott Morrison and the Tasmanian government — and it appears there's still no guarantee Australia's poorest state won't pay half the cost of a massive new power project and reap a fraction of the benefits.
Independent review announced into operations of Macquarie Point Development Corporation
There will be an independent review of the company that is redeveloping the Macquarie Point site on Hobart's waterfront, following questions being raised in the Tasmanian parliament about bullying of staff and inappropriate spending.
Three years in prison for Tasmania Police officer who killed a man and injured his wife in Launceston crash
A former Tasmania Police officer has been sentenced to three years in prison for a crash that killed a pedestrian in January 2020.
The row over an old law that environmentalists say makes 35 years of logging and protest arrests illegal
Earlier this year, charges against several Tasmanian anti-logging protesters were suddenly dropped. Lawyers had discovered a problem with Tasmania's forestry laws. Environmentalists say this problem means native forestry logging may have been carried out illegally in Tasmania for the last 35 years. The Tasmanian government denies that, but it has urgently moved to change the laws in state parliament to remove any doubt about the legality of timber operations. What's the problem?
Air quality in parts of Hobart 'worse than Beijing' due to smoke haze
A pall of smoke from forestry burns has made the air quality in parts of Hobart and southern Tasmania worse and less healthy than in Beijing.
Flu patients to join hundreds getting virtual care under COVID@home in Tasmania
For Devonport resident Tammy Milne, getting COVID was a frightening prospect. Key points: More than 10,000 people have used Tasmania's COVID@home program since borders opened last December The program will be extended to cover all winter respiratory illnesses, including influenza Health Consumers Tasmania wants the model extended to manage other conditions Ms Milne has a musculoskeletal condition and paralysed vocal cords.
Hobart's rental market is 'tightest' out of Australia's capitals and it may be getting worse
Hobart chef Callum Cowie summed up trying to find a new rental in Tasmania's capital city in one word: "nightmarish".
Tasmania goes own way on rapid antigen tests for students as school returns
Tasmania's public health authority has defended its decision not to recommend Tasmanian school students undertake twice weekly rapid COVID tests, in contrast to Australia's most populous states.
Tasmania wakes up to a weekend of lockdown
Tasmanians in Hobart and the state's south are waking to the first day of a snap three-day lockdown.
Is this the end of a cable car to the top of kunanyi/Mount Wellington?
It could only happen in Tasmania that thousands of viewers would tune in to a live stream of a city council meeting on a development proposal. Typically, videos on the Hobart City Council's YouTube channel reach an audience of a few hundred. But Tuesday night's special council meeting about the Mount Wellington Cableway Company's (MWCC) development application for a $54 million cable car to the pinnacle of kunanyi/Mount Wellington pulled nearly 10,000 pairs of eyeballs.
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