Tasmanian treasurer quits over ferry fiasco
Tasmania’s minority Liberal government is again in crisis after the deputy premier quit cabinet over the bungled Bass Strait ferry rollout, AAP reports.
Michael Ferguson was set to face a no-confidence motion in parliament today over delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of new $900m Spirit of Tasmania ships. That was set to carry, with crossbench MPs queuing up to back the Labor opposition.
He instead bowed to the pressure last night by resigning as treasurer along with giving up his small business and consumer affairs portfolios.
It is the latest headache for Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberals who were plunged into minority in May 2023 and called an early March election only to be returned in minority with a more diverse cross bench.
New berths for the two Spirit vessels won’t be ready for their arrival in what the state Labor opposition has dubbed the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history. Ferguson said in a statement:
I want to thank my Liberal party colleagues for their continued support for me over the past 20 years – and during my time as a minister in cabinet. I want to thank the premier [Jeremy Rockliff] for his support and backing over the past few months – both personally and as a colleague – this friendship is one that I have returned to him during my time as his deputy premier.
The Labor leader, Dean Winter, was set to move the no-confidence motion when parliament sits today.
Key events
Police search bushland amid investigation into Wollongong woman who went missing three decades ago
NSW police have searched bushland in the Illawarra as they investigate the suspicious disappearance of a Wollongong woman 30 years ago.
Strike Force Athena was established in 2022 to re-established the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Pauline Sowry, also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence.
She was 49-years old when last seen by her family in the northern suburbs of Wollongong in December, 1993. Her whereabouts remain unknown. A 2008 coronial inquest found she had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994.
Police said that following new information, a bushland search recommenced in the Illawarra escarpment at Figtree, south of Wollongong, last week.
Pauline’s son Jason Lawrence said it’s been incredibly difficult for the family not knowing what happened to their mother and sister.
We’ve been robbed of not knowing my mother, I’ve been robbed of not seeing what I’ve become over the years, how strong I’ve been, my career, my children. I’ve been robbed of a mother and robbed of a grandmother to my children. I’ve been robbed of a normal life, I don’t wish it on anybody. It would be really good to get some closure and know that she didn’t leave us and something had happened…
Cait Kelly
Will take ‘months, if not years’ for families to bounce back
Continuing from our last post, the Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, said families were making “unimaginable choices”.
This is an alarming statistic that demonstrates just how desperate the situation has become for those who were once a lifeline suddenly finding themselves living pay to pay, watching every dollar and sadly, no longer in a position to extend help to loved ones and friends.
We know it’s going to take months, if not years, for many families to bounce back. We will continue to wrap our arms around our communities for as long as it takes, doing our bit to help nutritious, culturally appropriate food get to as many struggling households as possible.
More than half (53%) of food insecure households reported they are receiving food relief more often than a year ago. Food insecure households receiving help from friends and family has dropped significantly from 32% in 2023 to 25% in 2024.
Cait Kelly
Highest rates of food insecurity for low-income earners since onset of cost-of-living crisis, Foodbank says
Low-income households are enduring the highest rates of food insecurity since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, according to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2024, released today.
Now in its 11th year, the report from food relief organisation Foodbank surveyed 4,260 people and highlights the growing divide between those who are able to absorb or adapt to rising costs and those being left behind.
More than 870,000 (48%) of Australia’s low-income households – earning less than $30,000 – are experiencing food insecurity. This is the highest rate since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, up 5% on 2022.
The report offers an insight into the state of hunger across the country and reveals more than half (59%) of all food insecure households are experiencing the most severe level of hardship, regularly skipping meals or going entire days without food.
Single-parent households are the hardest hit with over two-thirds (69%) facing food insecurity and 41% of these also experiencing the severest form.
Government announces sanctions on five Iranian individuals
The federal government has announced targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on five Iranian individuals it says is “contributing to Iran’s missile program.”
A statement from the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said Iran’s missile program “poses a material threat to regional and international security”, with the 1 October attack on Israel a “dangerous escalation that increased the risk of a wider regional war.”
The sanctions target two directors and a senior official in Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization, the director of the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group and the commercial director of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group.
The Albanese government has now sanctioned 200-Iran linked individuals and entities, the statement said.
Australia will continue to hold Iran to account for its reckless and destabilising actions.
Tasmanian opposition weighs in after Ferguson resigns from cabinet
Tasmania’s opposition leader, Dean Winter, has also been speaking with ABC News Breakfast this morning – after news the deputy premier has quit cabinet over the bungled Bass Strait ferry rollout.
Winter was set to move the motion of no-confidence in Michael Ferguson when parliament sits today. Asked about comments from the premier, Jeremy Rockliff, that he is undermining the functioning of the state’s parliament, Winter responded:
We’re holding ministers accountable when the premier of Tasmania refused to. This project – for people who don’t know – is $500m over budget, five years delayed.
It’s a completely debacle. Someone needed to take responsibility. The premier [was] saying he wouldn’t do that, the parliament decided it would act and, at the last moment, the deputy premier resigned.
Asked if Ferguson had paid too high a price, Winter said, “the price is being paid by Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality industry”, and that “he’s still on the backbench”.
Greens senator on government plan to ban debit card fees
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is speaking with ABC News Breakfast about the federal government plan to ban debit card fees and instruct the consumer watchdog to investigate excessive card costs.
Hanson-Young said she doesn’t think the move “goes far enough”, and she worries the government is “squibbing it on credit cards.”
This is only for debit cards. A lot of people are paying for their groceries and everyday items with their credit card and being slugged fees as well. I think we need to make sure it’s the bank that covers the cost of this, not the consumer and not the small businesses.
She said the Greens would look at what the government is proposing in detail.
Olivia Rodrigo falls through stage platform
Gen Z popstar Olivia Rodrigo is halfway through the Australian leg of her tour, and made headlines overnight after falling at her Melbourne show.
In a video posted to social media, Rodrigo can be seen falling through an open platform on the stage. She did not appear injured, getting right back up and saying:
Oh my God, that was fun! I’m OK. Woah. Sometime’s there’s just a hole in the stage. That’s alright. OK. Where was I?
Rodrigo performed four shows at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena – with last night being her fourth. She will perform at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on 17, 18, 21, and 22 October.
Penny Wong announces $9m aid for Myanmar
Australia has responded to calls to help the people of Myanmar suffering under its military junta and announced $9m in aid for food, water and shelter on top of education and health services.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, announced the package alongside Sean Turnell, who was a political prisoner of the junta for 650 days, as she launched his book about the situation in Myanmar in Canberra yesterday.
At least 5,350 civilians had been killed and half the nation was living under the poverty line, primarily due to military violence since the 2021 coup, Senator Wong said.
We are all appalled by the reports of widespread human rights abuses and atrocities.
Good morning
Emily Wind
And happy Tuesday – many thanks to Martin for kicking things off. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be with you for most of today’s blog.
You can reach out with any tips or questions via X, @emilywindwrites, or you can send me an email: [email protected]. Let’s go.
Slavery reparations not on the agenda for Chogm summit in Samoa
The issue of reparations for slavery is not on the agenda for next week’s Commonwealth heads of government summit, and the UK is not considering paying up, Downing Street has said.
We report today that the stance could put the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, who will attend the gathering in Samoa along with Anthony Albanese and other heads of government of the 54-nation bloc, on a collision course with other countries.
All three candidates to succeed Patricia Scotland as Chogm secretary general at the event have said they support reparations for countries affected by slavery and colonisation.
Here’s the full report:
Caitlin Cassidy
HSC written exams start today
A record number of students will be waking up with nerves in New South Wales this morning, with the formal written exam period to begin.
More than 76,000 students will be sitting an HSC exam, to run over the next 19 days. In total, 124 exams will be sat, starting with English at 9.50am. Atars will then be delivered on Wednesday 18 December – with half of the mark derived from the exam period.
The deputy premier and minister for education, Prue Car, advised students to “trust the hard work you’ve done”.
All the best to the HSC class of 2024 – the largest high school cohort in the country and in NSW history – as you head into written exams. Thank you to all of the teachers who have been part of this cohort’s 13-year education. I know every teacher and parent is looking on with pride today as these young people take this big step in their educational journey.
The NSW Education Standards Authority chief, Paul Martin, said the exam period would be a “huge logistical operation” for schools and staff.
My message to students: there are many ways to reach your goals. Be passionate, be curious and feel confident in all that you have learned over the last 13 years.
Tasmanian treasurer quits over ferry fiasco
Tasmania’s minority Liberal government is again in crisis after the deputy premier quit cabinet over the bungled Bass Strait ferry rollout, AAP reports.
Michael Ferguson was set to face a no-confidence motion in parliament today over delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of new $900m Spirit of Tasmania ships. That was set to carry, with crossbench MPs queuing up to back the Labor opposition.
He instead bowed to the pressure last night by resigning as treasurer along with giving up his small business and consumer affairs portfolios.
It is the latest headache for Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberals who were plunged into minority in May 2023 and called an early March election only to be returned in minority with a more diverse cross bench.
New berths for the two Spirit vessels won’t be ready for their arrival in what the state Labor opposition has dubbed the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history. Ferguson said in a statement:
I want to thank my Liberal party colleagues for their continued support for me over the past 20 years – and during my time as a minister in cabinet. I want to thank the premier [Jeremy Rockliff] for his support and backing over the past few months – both personally and as a colleague – this friendship is one that I have returned to him during my time as his deputy premier.
The Labor leader, Dean Winter, was set to move the no-confidence motion when parliament sits today.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then my colleague Emily Wind will take you through the main action.
Our top story this morning is that Labor is launching another initiative to ease the cost-of-living pressures on Australians by proposing to outlaw the charges we rack up when paying for things with debit cards. They will also instruct the consumer watchdog to investigate excessive card costs, as the transaction charges get set for an overhaul.
The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, says in an exclusive interview with us today that he would rather see a minority Liberal National party government in power after the 26 October state election than horse-trade with independents and minor parties to share government. Miles faces a stiff task to overcome a big deficit in the polls to stay in power against the challenge from David Crisafulli’s LNP.
Calls are mounting for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate business practices in the live music industry after an ABC Four Corners report scrutinising the Australian arm of the live entertainment behemoth Live Nation.
Tasmania’s minority Liberal government will need to find a new deputy premier and treasurer after the state’s second-in-charge resigned amid a Bass Strait ferry fiasco. Michael Ferguson quit cabinet last night after being confronted with the prospect of losing a no-confidence vote in parliament today. More coming up.
