Questions raised over super trawler's quota

Andrew Darby, Linton Besser THE federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, is seeking urgent advice about whether he can try to stop the super trawler MV Margiris fishing off the Australian coast.

Tasmania moves a step closer to circumcision ban

Andrew Darby A trail-blazing legal ban on the circumcision of most baby boys is a step closer in Tasmania.

Angling for power

Andrew Darby The nation's recreational fishers are flexing their not inconsiderable muscle in Canberra, as the row over the super-trawler Margiris shows.

Super trawler a target of escalating opposition

Andrew Darby The Dutch super trawler Margiris is the target of escalating opposition ahead of its arrival in Australian waters.

Andrew Darby

Tasmania's 'North Korea' more pink than red

Andrew Darby Given the Legislative Council's reputation for hardline unpredictability, one local commentator recently likened it to the North Korea of the state's bicameral parliament.

Gunns losing faith in pulp mill

Andrew Darby Tasmania's forest industry is in meltdown, with one-time timber giant Gunns Ltd admitting it lacks confidence its flagship $2.3 billion pulp mill will go ahead.

Gay marriage laws at mercy of independents

Andrew Darby It is difficult to predict how Tasmania's mercurial upper house will vote.

Wilkie raises legal query over super trawler

Andrew Darby Conflict over the largest vessel ever to fish Australian waters is intensifying, as key independent MP Andrew Wilkie steps up his challenge to the legality of its quota.

Contest for Wilkie's seat hots up

Andrew Darby A Labor daughter, Anna Reynolds, will carry Green hopes against incumbent Andrew Wilkie in the hotly contested seat of Denison at the next federal election.

Supertrawler process may have been 'unlawful': Wilkie

Andrew Darby The federal government has foreshadowed tighter restrictions on the super trawler Margiris, as opposition mounts to Australia's largest ever fishing vessel.

Andrew Darby

Sharks aren't there for our amusement

Andrew Darby Great white toy

Australia focuses on Japan after Korea's whaling backdown

Andrew Darby Australia has used the decision by South Korea to abandon plans for scientific whaling to raise pressure on Japan to follow suit.

Bob Brown to board Sea Shepherd for gas hub campaign

Andrew Darby Former Greens leader Bob Brown is joining the Sea Shepherd environmental action group in a campaign against the $35 billion Browse gas hub project near Broome in Western Australia.

Andrew Darby

MONA's most fascinating exhibit - its owner

Andrew Darby Of all the surprises that inhabit the Museum of Old and New Art, perhaps the most unexpected and fascinating is turning out to be the owner himself.

South Korean whaling plan condemned

Judith Ireland, Andrew Darby Prime Minister Julia Gillard has condemned a South Korean move to begin whaling and has instructed Australia's top diplomat in Seoul to express Australia's opposition to the news.

Andrew Darby

Marine reserve pride comes with a pinch of salt

Andrew Darby It's a benchmark that everybody else in the world should try to meet – the most comprehensive network of marine reserves on Earth, according to Environment Minister Tony Burke.

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Coalition backs heritage Antarctica

Andrew Darby The Coalition puts its weight behind the world heritage listing of Antarctica, a boost for an environmental cause sharply dividing polar experts.

Andrew Darby

Supertrawler brings global problem to Australian waters

Andrew Darby Say hello to our fishing future. It's called Margiris. If ever Australians needed convincing that the global appetite for fish is our problem too, this supertrawler is it.

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Health cash to flood into Tasmania: Wilkie

Andrew Darby Key federal independent Andrew Wilkie said today he had won a federal cash lifeline for the Tasmanian health system.