Voting commences in Tasmania's state election | Midday News Bulletin 19 July 2025

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Source: SBS News

Voting begins in Tasmania's state election; Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ordered to wear an ankle bracelet; And in rugby, the British and Irish Lions set to face Australia's Wallabies in Brisbane.


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In this bulletin;
  • Voting begins in Tasmania's state election;
  • Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ordered to wear an ankle bracelet;
  • And in rugby, the British and Irish Lions set to face Australia's Wallabies in Brisbane.

Voting has begun in Tasmania's state election, with the latest polls pointing to another hung parliament and further political uncertainty.

Saturday's snap vote, triggered after minority Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion in early June, is Tasmania's second in 16 months.

While many Tasmanians are now heading to the polls, more than one-quarter of the island's 412,000 registered voters cast their ballot early.

Election-eve polling by YouGov expects a close race, with neither Labor nor Liberal parties predicted to reach the 18-seat mark required for majority.



Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the killing of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza, calling some of Israel's actions indefensible.

His comments come after the The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement saying more than 850 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza while trying to get food.

The Israeli Defence Force have acknowledged firing what they describe as warning shots near aid distribution sites on multiple occasions, but denies targeting Palestinians seeking aid.

Speaking to ABC, Prime Minister Albanese says he has spoken directly with Israel's leaders about his concerns over some of Israel's actions in Gaza.

"And I certainly have said to, for example, president Herzog, who I've known for a long period of time, that Israel is losing support by its own actions and that some of its actions are completely indefensible."



A court in Brazil has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor, banned him from communicating with foreign diplomats, and placed him under curfew.

Mr Bolsonaro is currently on trial at the Supreme Court, accused of plotting a coup to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in January 2023.

The court has ordered the ankle bracelet and other measures amid fears the former President may abscond to avoid punishment.

Mr Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing, and says he had no plans to leave the country.

“I hope the trial is technical and not political. I never thought about leaving Brazil, I never thought about going to an embassy, but the precautionary measures are because of that. I can’t get close to an embassy, I have a curfew time and I understand that their objective is a supreme humiliation.”



Three United States police officers have been killed in an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility.

An investigation into the cause of the blast is underway, officials say it is believed to be an isolated incident, and that no one else was injured.

The identities of those who have died have not yet been released.

Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs President Richard Pippin says the officers who died were experts in the department, each serving between 19 to 33 years.

"These are some of our very best. Absolutely. You know, this highlights the need for training and investment in the shares department. For us to have the best possible facilities and training so that we get the best outcomes if not, obviously today we've experienced the worst of all possible outcomes. So our guys are constantly training and working, and these guys were highly proficient with what they did. Like everyone, we're waiting for answers to find out why we lost three of our brothers this morning."



In rugby,

The British and Irish Lions are set to face Australia's Wallabies this evening at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, in the first of a historic three-Test series.

The Lions, and an estimated 40,000 supporters, have returned after a one-sided Sydney decider tipped the scales in their favour 12 years ago.

In 2001 the Wallabies won the series 2-1, and in 1989, the Australian side were rocked 19-12 in a violent Brisbane Test, dubbed the "Battle of Ballymore", before losing the Sydney decider.

Former Wallabies star Morgan Turinui says while the Lions are tipped to be the favourites, the Wallabies still have a strong chance.

"They are underdogs, these Wallabies, but if they can win some collisions, if they can put some pressure on the Lions that perhaps they haven't experienced since they arrived in Australia, then they can win in Brisbane for the first time in the history of these match ups between the Wallabies and Lions."

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Voting commences in Tasmania's state election | Midday News Bulletin 19 July 2025 | SBS News