world news

Sacre rhubarb? French respond to Tassie farmer's bubbly post with a firm 'non'

A Tasmanian farmer's suggestion that people make champagne with their surplus rhubarb draws a legal warning from the French.




world news

Do driving lessons count as 'essential'?

A Victorian teenager learning to drive was hit with a coronavirus-related fine, sparking this question from parents: Can I take my child for a lesson? Here's where each state stands on learner drivers.




world news

'It shocks us back into realisation': Residents of Tasmania's north west brace for lockdown

Residents are finding ways to cope as a full lockdown looms over the region, with one woman banging pots and pans in support of essential workers, while another considers whether to shut up shop.




world news

Police to use helicopters, door knocks and numberplate scanners to check for coronavirus compliance

With helicopters in the air, police patrols of holiday destinations and numberplate scanning, leaders around the country warn there will be no tolerance for breaches of the strict self-isolation measures.




world news

How can I watch an Easter or Passover service this weekend?

Churches and synagogues across Australia are offering their services online and many are live streaming. Here's a list of the major services around the country this weekend.




world news

They feel Australian, but these foreign visa holders may soon have to leave

Many parts of Australia have worked hard to attract migrants to help boost the population and ageing workforces, but many like Rosan Bhattarai are now without a source of income because they are on temporary visas and can't get access to the JobKeeper program.




world news

Eleven more coronavirus cases in Tasmania as fourth person dies

A fourth person dies of coronavirus in Tasmania on a day when 11 more cases are confirmed, bringing the state's total to 122, health authorities say.





world news

'We're still trying to keep going': Companies change business model to keep staff employed during coronavirus

Tasmanian companies keen to keep staff employed are adapting and shifting their business focus by making face shields, hand sanitiser and other products in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.




world news

'Shacks' used to be glorified tents, now they're 'architect-designed showpieces'

In the years after World War II Tasmanians took to the country to buy up vacant land and built makeshift dwellings on their own patches of paradise. Shacks now dot the Tasmanian coastline, but they're not as shabby as their names suggest.




world news

The decade ahead may be 'the era of massive change' for our cities and suburbs after COVID-19

Automated crosswalks, the rebirth of suburbia, electric scooters — there are many quirky and nuanced ways that the coronavirus outbreak could impact on urban life.




world news

Eleven new coronavirus cases in Tasmania's north-west as government moves to 'ring fence' outbreak

Tasmania's coronavirus tally reaches 133, with the director of Public Health confirming 11 new cases have been diagnosed in the state's north-west today.




world news

'United in spirit': How locked-down Australians are planning to mark Anzac Day

Kat Jackson does not play a brass instrument, and neither does her eight-year-old daughter, Neve, but they plan to sound the Last Post in their driveway this Anzac Day.




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Who am I allowed to visit this Easter weekend with coronavirus restrictions in place?

All over Australia, non-essential travel is being discouraged. But the rules vary state to state, so let's take a look at exactly how far you're allowed to travel and who you're allowed to visit.




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Doctor asks people to donate iPads so patients impacted by coronavirus restrictions can contact families

Hospitals across Tasmania have banned visitors, but one Hobart doctor is helping patients stay in touch with their loved ones during coronavirus pandemic by asking people to "donate" their iPads.




world news

This performer is using circus tricks to teach children about boundaries and consent

Meet the Tasmanian circus performer who's determined to teach kids and adults how flying through the air and hanging upside down can reframe how we think about bodies, boundaries and consent.




world news

Fifth Tasmanian dies of coronavirus as 11 more cases confirmed in the north-west

A Tasmanian woman in her 70s has died of coronavirus, taking the state's death toll to five, as 11 more cases are diagnosed in the north-west.




world news

Tasmania closes two hospitals to 'stamp out' coronavirus outbreak

Tasmania's Premier Peter Gutwein says the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie close today because of the coronavirus outbreak.



  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Health
  • COVID-19
  • Doctors and Medical Professionals

world news

Two Tasmanian hospitals to close to contain north-west outbreak

Tasmania’s Premier Peter Gutwein has announced the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie will close because of the coronavirus outbreak. All staff and their households will go into quarantine. That’ll involve more than one thousand people.



  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Infectious Diseases (Other)


world news

Are pharmaceutical companies likely to profiteer from coronavirus?

With the global death toll now at more than 100,000, there is an urgent need for a coronavirus vaccine. But will pharmaceutical companies be tempted to put profits before patients?




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Tasmania calls in ADF medics as coronavirus tally hits 150

Six new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours are found in Tasmania, all of the them in the disease hotspot of the state's north-west, bringing the tally to 150.




world news

Easter was not the same this year — but this might help if you're feeling lonely

Social-distancing measures mean we haven't been able to celebrate Easter like we normally would, and many of us are feeling lonelier than ever. The good news is, there are things you can do to stay connected.




world news

A state-by-state breakdown of who did the right thing over Easter

Police around the country issued fines for breaching coronavirus rules over Easter, but overall people followed the rules and stayed home.




world news

Premier decides to isolate up to 5000 Tasmanians

The Tasmanian Government to seek Federal Government and ADF assistance over coronavirus outbreak in the state's north-west.



  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Infectious Diseases (Other)

world news

Huon from Tasmania asks how long will the COVID-19 situation go on for?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has answered questions from kids around Australia on the coronavirus pandemic on ABC Me's Behind The News program.



  • Government and Politics
  • Epidemics and Pandemics

world news

Chief Medical Officer walks back 'illegal dinner party' claim

Brendan Murphy was rebuked by Tasmania's Premier after saying most of the people involved in a cluster of COVID-19 cases around the town of Burnie broke social-distancing laws.




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Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy warns New Zealand to pay attention to Tasmania's experience.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy warns New Zealand to pay attention to Tasmania's experience



  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Infectious Diseases (Other)

world news

Peter Gutwein says claims a coronavirus outbreak started after a dinner party are a rumour

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein says the Chief Medical Officer's claims that the north-west Tasmanian coronavirus outbreak started with a dinner party of health workers are a rumour that will be followed up.



  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Infectious Diseases (Other)
  • Doctors and Medical Professionals

world news

More coronavirus cases found in Tasmania's north-west, as death toll rises to six

A 91-year-old woman becomes the sixth Tasmanian to die from coronavirus, as the state's overall tally jumps to 165 cases — with all of the new cases known to be from the disease hotspot of the north-west.



  • Health
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • COVID-19
  • Doctors and Medical Professionals
  • Government and Politics

world news

Staff at coronavirus-hit Tasmanian hospital angry over lack of PPE, flouting of social distancing

Medical staff working in a coronavirus hotspot in Tasmania's north-west say a relaxed attitude towards hand hygiene and social distancing made it a "slow-motion disaster waiting to happen".



  • Health
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • COVID-19
  • Doctors and Medical Professionals


world news

Tasmanian coronavirus cluster could happen anywhere, doctors warn

As two hospitals close to clean up amid a coronavirus outbreak in Tasmania's north-west, doctors warn there's nothing unique about the region that means similar outbreaks can't happen anywhere else.




world news

More coronavirus cases found in Tasmania's north-west as 'testing blitz' announced

More cases of coronavirus are confirmed as being from Tasmania's north-west, on the day Premier Peter Gutwein urges residents with flu-like symptoms to get tested for the deadly disease.




world news

Stunning weather, cabin fever, see Aussies head outside in big numbers to stay fit

With little else to do and undeniably glorious weather in some parts of the country, Australians are heading outdoors in notably large numbers. But will our healthy new habits stick once COVID-19 is gone?



  • Exercise and Fitness
  • COVID-19
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Community and Society

world news

Fluke sighting of deformed seagull leads to Australian record

An ornithologist who decided to take five while conducting a bird survey in Tasmania could hardly believe his eyes when he spotted a three-footed seagull. But even he had no idea how unusual the find was.




world news

Police run down armed man to end dramatic stand-off

A stand-off in a suburban street between an armed man and police is captured on video, with officers pointing their weapons and ordering him to surrender before he is knocked down by a police car.




world news

Cash-strapped farmers brace for further pain amid foreign investment crackdown

A clampdown on foreign investment into Australia could cut-off vital funding for cash-strapped farmers and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, industry figures say.




world news

Royal Commission begins into 'Black Summer' that killed 33 people

The chair of Australia's Bushfire Royal Commission says the evidence from those affected by the nation's catastrophic bushfire season will be critical in "applying the lessons learnt so that we can do things better in the future".




world news

Seven people charged over alleged 'gathering' on Easter Sunday in Tasmania's north-east

Seven people face charges related to alleged breaches of coronavirus self-isolation directions after police raid a gathering in Tasmania's north-east.




world news

Shipping company owner unlikely ever to face charges over 59 cattle deaths

An animal cruelty case against Tasmanian shipping identity Les Dick, who has cancer, is adjourned after he agrees not to be involved in livestock transport for five years.




world news

Coronavirus alert for nursing homes in Tasmanian outbreak zone

Infection protocols are being checked at three Tasmanian nursing homes after contact tracing reveals a healthcare worker from an infected hospital has also worked shifts at three aged care facilities.




world news

How COVID-19 has changed the workload of Australian paramedics

As the country stays bunkered down during the pandemic, some ambulance services have seen a reduction in call-outs, especially to road accidents. Others say they're dealing with calls about flu-like symptoms that need to go elsewhere.




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Morrison accuses infected Tasmanian aged care worker of dishonesty

The Prime Minister says north-west Tasmania is a classic example of the need for the Federal Government's coronavirus-tracking app, after he accuses a north-west aged care worker of not telling the truth about their movements and contacts.




world news

Tasmania records seventh coronavirus death, four more cases confirmed

A 72-year-old man becomes the seventh Tasmanian to succumb to coronavirus, as four more cases are confirmed in the north-west. It comes as the emergency department of a hospital at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak reopens.




world news

'Really strong odds' for wet winter amid hints that climate drivers may finally tip

Warm oceans are encouraging wet conditions for Australia, with the hint of a negative IOD and even a potential La Nina on the horizon.




world news

This sea eagle was found covered in fish oil and close to death, but now it can spread its wings

A juvenile white-bellied sea eagle is back in the skies near Tasmania's Bruny Island after surviving being coated in fish oil and a enjoying a bubble bath spruce up.




world news

Coronavirus claims eighth victim, as Tasmania's north-west gets help from RAAF, ADF

A man who was a patient at a hospital at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak dies after contracting COVID-19, becoming the second death in two days as RAAF and ADF personnel begin work in the disease-hit region.



  • COVID-19
  • Health
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Government and Politics
  • Federal - State Issues
  • State of Emergency

world news

'The bush has been a testing ground': Australians are no stranger to the isolated life

Hiking huts are Australia's answer to Scotland's famed bothies and New Zealand's backcountry shacks and stand as a testament of a national identity that has long been intertwined with survival in isolation.




world news

'Sometimes Play School trumps ABC News': Reporting and broadcasting from home under coronavirus restrictions

Coronavirus has forced some dramatic changes to how the ABC keeps the public informed, from home-based broadcasting to webcam interviews and recruiting people featured in a story to help film it on their mobile phone.