What made news headlines in Tasmania for 2024

From Olympic medals, a convicted Supreme Court judge, a state election and the great stadium debate the backdrop of the year — here’s our news highlights for 2024.

What made headlines in 2024: JackJumpers win NBL, Crowther statue tumbles, Mona’s Ladies Lounge court win, new Spirit of Tasmania ferries sage and former Supreme Court Judge Gregory Geason sentenced.

The year 2024 was many things in Tasmania — but it won’t be remembered as dull. It all kicked off with a bang when Princess Mary became Queen Regent of Denmark, included some incredible sporting feats and a state election insisting on a fragmented parliament.

Here’s our most memorable moments of the year that was.

Stadium

Despite the name, colours and identity of the Tasmanian Football Club being revealed, it was a new AFL Stadium to be built at Hobart’s Macquarie Point that dominated headlines in 2024. Further designs were released, along with a warning the budget could bulge to $775m for the stadium and the precinct development would be $1bn-plus.

Court: Gregory Geason

In an unprecedented case, a sitting Tasmanian Supreme Court judge was found guilty of common assault. Gregory Geason was sentenced to community service and shortly resigned from his position on the bench.

UTAS campus

The University of Tasmania announced a stark change in direction in the second half of the year shifting away from its CBD move. The education institution now plans to have four campuses, Sandy Bay, a city campus at the Forestry Building, historic campus on the Domain and a Waterfront Campus. While part of its Sandy Bay campus could be sold for housing to fund a new STEM facility, the uni says.

Crowther statue

The controversial Franklin Square Crowther statue was toppled under the cover of nightfall before an appeal was officially handed down in favour of its removal. The Hobart City Council will decide what’s next for the vandalised monument.

Court: Mona Ladies Lounge

The ladies at Mona made memorable moments on the steps of court after a long battle to guarantee the right of a women-only exhibit. The Supreme Court knocked-back a decision from TASCAT that would allow men into the female-only space.

Queen Mary

Way back in January, our Tasmanian Princess became a Queen when her husband, Frederik, was crowned King of Denmark following his mother’s shock abdication.

Wild weather September

Thousands of Tasmanians across the state were left without power after damaging storms swept through. In the South, the Derwent Valley copped the worst of it with widespread flooding, while low-lying areas in the North and North-West also suffered – including a roof flying off a Devonport home.

JackJumpers champions

The state turned green when the JackJumpers won its first ever NBL championship title in a thrilling game against Melbourne United. Fans celebrated the club considered the “single most successful expansion sporting club in Australian history” in a myriad of ways, including tattoos.

PHOTOS: JackJumpers’ celebrations paint the town green

VIEW GALLERY

Collins St cycleways

Alderman Louise Bloomfield, Tim Jarvis owner of Fullers Bookshop, Councillor John Kelly who are hoping for a compromise with the proposed bike lanes in Collins Street. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

On again, off again, the cycleways planned for Collins St had its state government funding pulled, only for the Hobart Council to dig deep to promise it’ll pay for it despite business opposition. The move was however welcomed from active transport advocates. It remains an ongoing issue, with a petition gaining enough signature to trigger a public meeting and potential elector poll.

Election

The ringer of parliament included many moments, from rogue independents John Tucker and Lara Alexandra forcing an election, the Jacqui Lambie Party being kingmakers and those three members shortly disbanding, to Labor bringing in a new leader Dean Winter after Rebecca White stood down and more recently a vote of no-confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff failing. No-one secured a straight-out majority in a larger house from March’s election, but the Liberals hustled to secure support to form a minority government.

Spirits fiasco

Delays, time blowouts and the blame game between TT-Line, TasPorts and the state government ultimately led to the demotion of Michael Ferguson — who lost his ministerial positions, most notable as Infrastructure Minister and Treasurer — due to the fallout. All that’s now clear is that two new Spirit vessels won’t be ready for a couple years, likely February 2027, while a suitable upgrade of the port at its Devonport home is completed.

Maugean Skate

A Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour.

Neither side of the issue is happy with the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s announcement that a decision on the threatened species status of the Maugean Skate will take another 12 months. The move has been slammed by both environmentalists, who want to remove fish farms from Macquarie Harbour, and the salmon industry, frustrated at remaining in limbo.

Labradoodle RSPCA rescue

The RSPCA rescued and rehomed hundreds of Labradoodles after a northern puppy farm was shut down following allegations of animal cruelty and over-breeding. A three year fight came to an end and 250 dogs were saved after the RSPCA reached an out-of-court agreement with the husband and wife owners of Tasmanian Labradoodles.

Ashley Detention Centre payout

Ashley Youth Detention Centre near Westbury in northern Tasmania.

After two weeks of mediation, one of the biggest class-action lawsuit in Tasmania’s history reached a $75m settlement between the state government and former detainees at Ashley Youth Detention Centre. The settlement was offered to 129 claimants who suffered abuse at the notorious centre between 1960 and 2023.

Olympic success

Three individuals representing Tasmania in Paris picked up medals, with our swimmers leading the pack. Basketballer Alanna Smith secured a bronze when the opals beat Belgium. Swimming sensation Ariarne Titmus finished with a gold and two silvers in her individual swims, and a relay gold, while Hobart’s Max Giuliani won bronze in the 4x100m relay. While not picking up a medal, Kookaburra Eddie Ockenden was honoured to become the first Tasmanian flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

Originally published as What made news headlines in Tasmania for 2024