Key Points
- Tasmanian Parliament upholds no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliffe
- Treasurer optimistic about Australian economy, after weak growth figures
- In AFL, concerns political uncertainty could delay Tassie Devils' debut
TRANSCRIPT
Tasmanians will head to an election, after parliament passed a no-confidence vote this afternoon against sitting Premier Jeremy Rockliffe.
Mr Rockliff confirmed if his colleagues supported the motion, he will move to call a snap election.
The premier has been under pressure over the almost $1 billion stadium project in Hobart, and delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries.
Mr Rockliff has vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign.
"If Mr Winter's divisive and destructive motion is passed, I will be going to the lieutenant-governor and seeking an election. This will be advice I will provide to the governor that an election is needed, unless Mr Winter forms government with the Greens."
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said Australia's economy is still in good shape, despite weak growth figures.
The latest GDP figures released on Wednesday showed the economy grew by just 0.2 per cent for the first three months of 2025, weaker than what economists were expecting.
The growth figures also revealed GDP per capita, which is a common measure of living standards, also fell for the eighth quarter out of the past nine.
But Mr Chalmers says Australia is well prepared to deal with global economic uncertainty, and that he remains optimistic about the future of Australia's economy.
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United States President Donald Trump has said the banning of nationals from twelve countries was necessary to protect the US from what he has described as mounting terror and security threats.
The countries affected by the ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The entry of people from seven other countries, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, will also be partially restricted.
Mr Trump has said the strength of the restrictions applied is dependent on what he calls the severity of the security threat posed.
" In the twenty-first century, we’ve seen one terror attack after another carried out by foreign visa overstayers from dangerous places all over the world. And thanks to (former President Joe) Biden’s open-door policies, today, there are millions and millions of these illegals who should not be in our country."
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At least 11 people have died and more 47 injured in a crowd surge outside a cricket stadium in the Indian city of Bengaluru.
Fans were celebrating the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team's first Indian Premier League title win, and thousands of people lined streets around the Chinnaswamy Stadium as the team arrived in a bus in the evening.
Local authorities say the stampede occurred when people outside the stadium - who did not have tickets - tried to push through gates.
Karnataka state chief minister Siddaramaiah says between 200 thousand and 300 thousand people gathered to celebrate, causing havoc when crowds tried to force their way into the venue.
"So, stampede has taken place. Nobody has expected so much of crowd will come because the capacity of the stadium is only 35,000 people. Only 35,000 seats are there."
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An exhibition honouring one of Australia’s celebrated Aboriginal leaders, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue has opened in Tarndarnya, Adelaide.
Ms O-Donoghue was an Aboriginal advocate and nurse and is highly respected as a trailblazer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and Indigenous affairs.
"LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy" features images, video, and personal correspondence from the Yankunytjatjara woman's collections.
Running until July, the exhibition is curated by Ms O'Donoghue's niece, Deb Edwards.
"I think she'd love that we're truth-telling. I think she'd absolutely love that. Not to sugar coat anything, some difficult stories that go with the items that are here, so I think she'd be pretty happy."
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To sport, the boss of Tasmania's first AFL team - the Devils - says a new premier could present a risk for the club.
The Devils were granted the League's 19th license after lengthy campaigning and were set to debut on the field in 2028, after the construction of a controversial stadium championed by Premier Jeremy Rockliffe.
Speaking before the no-confidence motion was passed in Parliament, Devil's CEO Brendon Gale told ABC if there is an election, it could put the almost billion-dollar stadium - and team - at risk.
"The challenge for the stadium and by extension the team, is if there is an election, that pushes our timelines. There could be a change in government and composition of Parliament changes and there are all those risks which would place the stadium and team at risk."
