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David Killick is the Mercury’s political editor. During his 25-year career, he has worked in reporting roles in three Australian states and five countries, as well as Antarctica.

@davidjkillick

David Killick

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Tasmania

Images taken from planning documents for the proposed Mt Wellington zipline.

Mountain zipline plan open for comments

A 1.2km zip line down the front of kunanyi/Mt Wellington is an adventure activity compatible with the area’s management plan and should be approved by Hobart City Council, its proponents say.

Tasmania

Detailed plans for Hobart’s new AFL stadium reveal an immediate $60m cost blowout, high visual impacts and negative cost-benefit analysis, but mark a significant milestone in advancing the project. The submission of detailed plans to the state’s Planning Commission on Wed signals the end of the phony war over the controversial stadium – and beginning of the real battle by the minority govt to win over critics and parliament, which must ultimately approve it. The blueprint, for a 23,000 seat stadium at Macquarie Point, reveals the cost has jumped from $715m to $775m, a negative $237m cost benefit analysis, and “high impacts” on sight lines from the nearby Cenotaph – the cause of fierce hostility from the RSL. Comes as the Albo signs off on the broader precinct plan, under which the state will build housing, Antarctic wharf and public spaces nearby in return for the feds providing $240m Multipurpose Stadium Hobart . Pictures - Supplied

Mac Point group gets planning lesson from state body

The Tasmanian Planning Commission has issued the Macquarie Point Development Corporation a pointed reminder of how the proposed Hobart AFL stadium will be assessed. What they say is missing.

Tasmania

Labor leader MP Dean Winter speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Winter’s $22k donation revealed

Labor leader Dean Winter has emerged as one of the party’s major donors during the 2023/24 financial year, the Australian Electoral Commission’s transparency register reveals.

Tasmania

Food - Three dishes from chef Johnny Triscari of Chloe's for SA Weekend. Rabbit with gnocchi.

Shooters put rabbit fix on the menu

Hobart’s ballooning urban rabbit population would be managed as a sustainable food resource with a cull by shooters, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party says. Here’s how.

Tasmania

Ashley Detention Centre more expensive than the Ritz

It costs more to keep a young offender at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre for a day than it would to fly to London for a night in a top hotel, federal figures show.

Tasmania

HACSU state secretary Robby Moore with Greens MP Helen Burnet and UWU representative Amy Brumby on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

How new scheme could make long service leave easier to access

The Tasmanian Greens are pushing to change long service leave entitlements so more people — especially women — can access it. The industries it could impact >>

Tasmania

Minister for Transport Eric Abetz and students of Blackmans Bay Primary School on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

School zone speed limits could drop

A peak safety body claims children are ‘much safer at 30’ after some other states take the plunge to drop school zone limits, and the state government hasn’t dismissed the idea. POLL INSIDE >>

Tasmania

Minister for Infrastructure Kerry Vincent and member for Franklin Julie Collins at the Mornington Roundabout on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Is this Tassie’s worst roundabout? Plans to fix it

Traffic flow and safety will both be improved as the federal and state government combine to fix one of the worst traffic blackspots in greater Hobart.

Tasmania

Australian money background. Focus on foreground, blurred faces beneath. Fifty dollar notes generic

Why Tassie’s economic outlook is worse than the rest of the nation

Tasmania’s economy is bucking a positive national trend — with a report saying it will shrink this financial year. Here’s why.

Tasmania

Clock is ticking: Tassie’s goals on homes still MIA

The Property Council is waving a red flag in warning after Tasmania fell short of a national building target. Here’s why they are concerned.

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/journalists/david-killick