Nancy mystery still runs deep

Bernd and Helga Grunwaldt at Falmouth in 1993, searching for their missing daughter Nancy (inset). Main picture: TONY PALMER

ARGUABLY Tasmania's most infamous missing person case, the disappearance of German backpacker Nancy Grunwaldt 20 years ago continues to baffle police.

And to mark the 20th anniversary of her disappearance on March 13, 1993, Ms Grunwaldt's mother, Helga, and sister will fly from their homes in Germany to meet investigators in Launceston next month.

A coronial inquest held several years ago into the deaths of Ms Grunwaldt and stabbing victim Victoria Cafasso found the 26-year-old travel agent had most likely been the victim of a homicide, committed somewhere between St Helens and Bicheno on the day she was last seen, with her hired bicycle heading out of St Helens.

But retired police detective Bob Coad, who worked on the case at the time, spoke out two years ago, revealing he believed Ms Grunwaldt was killed in a hit-and-run by someone who threw her body into bushland and later made a desperate call to a Hobart lawyer, then Crime Stoppers in Queensland.

Mr Coad said he believed there were several people who knew how, why and where Ms Grunwaldt died and the place where her body was disposed of.

He said he thought these people were in this state and Queensland and he wanted indemnity to be offered to anyone with information.

Mr Coad's revelations led to Launceston detectives making a renewed effort to find the tourist's body, digging up excavation sites at the Bicheno refuse centre twice last year on information from a source not publicly named.

Nothing was found.

Lead investigator Detective Inspector Scott Flude said police would never give up, but he had no concrete information to offer Mrs Grunwaldt and her remaining daughter.

"We've kept in touch with them over the years in Germany and it would mean a lot to us to be able to offer them some closure," Insp Flude said.

"But as it stands we've got no specific evidence of what's happened, as to whether her death was by misadventure or an accident, or whether it's still a missing persons case.

"There are a lot of rumours out there and the work we've done last year has generated a lot of information, but at this stage it remains a mystery."

He does not believe the death was linked to that of Beaumaris Beach murder victim Ms Cafasso, of Italy, but admits that Tasmania's bushy terrain makes it close to impossible to locate any remains left above ground for many years.

"We're 48 per cent bushland, so to hide a body or piece of evidence is easier in this state, and the chances of finding remains can be low," Insp Flude said.

"If she was buried we'd have a chance, but if she was left above ground it would be incredibly difficult."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Paris to taste our best

Award-winning Garagistes chef Luke Burgess (right) and sous chef Will Gleave are heading to Paris. Picture: KIM EISZELE

AWARD-winning Hobart chef Luke Burgess hopes the city of love falls head over heels for his cooking.

The Garagistes chef has been invited to cook at the coveted Omnivore World Tour in Paris after a hit appearance in French documentary Happiness on a Plate.

Mr Burgess, 36, said he was thrilled to receive the invitation, especially when asked to cook with Australian chef James Henry at his recently opened Paris restaurant, Bones.

The duo had worked together at Tasmanian restaurant Peppermint Bay at Woodbridge.

"It ended up being a nice little synergy," he said.

His sous chef, Will Gleave, 33, will also make the trip next month and the trio's dinner event is already fully booked.

Mr Burgess said he and Mr Henry would take some of their favourite recipes with them but would likely alter them to suit the produce available.

"Last time I was in Paris, I went to the markets with James and watched him fill up his shopping trolley and go back to the kitchen and respond to the food that was in front of him," he said.

"Over there, you can decide what you're going to cook based on the food you find [at places like] the fish monger or the food markets.

"His style is pared back and the food is probably quite cerebral."

Closer to home, Mr Burgess said his Hobart restaurant was going strong.

"It just keeps getting busier and busier," he said. "We only put 40 seats in the restaurant because that's what we thought we'd do each night but some nights we're (serving) 120."

hannah.martin@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jail term for 'hitman' attempt

A LAUNCESTON man who tried to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife -- but got an undercover policeman instead -- has been jailed for four years.

Darryl Scott Donohue, 41, of Invermay, was the first Tasmanian convicted of incitement to murder.

He also pleaded guilty to stalking over a six-month period.

Chief Justice Ewan Crawford said the circumstances of the incitement to murder were chilling.

"Aggravating factors of both crimes are that he was acting in breach of a court's family violence order," he said.

"An aggravating factor of the incitement to murder is that despite police having spoken to him about what he was planning he maintained it.

"The incitement was not a spur of the moment decision but a pre-meditated plan that extended at least for a month."

The court heard that Donohue was angry that he could not get access to his children after a family violence order was put in place.

He approached a man he did not know at a barbecue to kill his wife for $10,000.

The man told police who then set up a sting giving Donohue the phone number of an undercover policeman.

After a meeting with the proposed "hitman" Donohue was arrested.

Justice Crawford set a non-parole period of two years and he dismissed defence counsel's submission for a partly suspended sentence.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aurora, Transend to merge

THE State Government hopes the merger of Aurora and Transend will stop further electricity price hikes.

Deputy Premier Bryan Green today announced that a new board would be appointed to oversee the merger of the two companies, with the new company expected to be operating by July next year.

Mr Green said it was the next major step in the overhaul of Tasmania's electricity industry, and hoped it would stop further price hikes.

It is expected to save $8 million a year.

Mr Green said the Government would immediately appoint a new chair to oversee the merger and the new board would include two directors from each of the current boards.

The move would see three boards in operation until at least July next year.

Mr Green said he wanted a "seamless transmission".

The merger will result in job losses, but Mr Green could not say how many.

He said the Government was on track to introduce full retail competition in the electricity market from January next year.

The sale of Aurora's customer base would start in the middle of this year.

Read more in the Mercury tomorrow.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Climate sceptic lets loose

CLIMATE CHANGE SCEPTIC: Outspoken British peer Lord Christopher Monckton arrives in Tasmania today, with a blast for the Greens and Labor. Picture: JAMES CROUCHER

LORD Christopher Monckton, one of the world's best-known climate change sceptics, breezes into Tasmania today with a warning the Greens are the new totalitarians and Labor is not much better.

Speaking from Melbourne yesterday, the outspoken British peer said there had been no measurable global warming for at least 16 years and quite likely longer, despite increases in carbon dioxide emissions.

Lord Monckton said the science was collapsing around the alarmists and ordinary people were angry at the lies that had been told.

He said much of the debate was driven by left-wing politics.

"The Greens are too yellow to admit they are reds," he said. "Labor is frighteningly close.

"The totalitarian left thinks they know best how we should live. It's about increasing the ability to interfere in every aspect of our lives, down to the last dim, flickering light bulb."

Lord Monckton described Australia's carbon tax as "fantastically cost-ineffective".

If the whole world adopted Australia's carbon tax scheme for 10 years, it would cost $317 trillion or 59 per cent of global GDP.

This amounted to $45,000 for every person and all it would achieve was to forestall warming by about one sixth of one degree. It would be 36 times more expensive than paying the cost of adaptation to any climate change.

While carbon dioxide did have some effect on temperatures, he believed it was vastly overstated. He dismissed the idea of a scientific consensus as intellectual baby talk. "Science is a matter of verifiable proof. Climate science is much slipperier."

Asked about warming of the sea along Tasmania's East Coast, he said Australia was one of the only places where warm currents had had any effect, but the Great Barrier Reef had experienced no temperature change at all.

Lord Monckton is speaking at the University of Tasmania's Sir Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre in Hobart tonight at 7.30.

philip.heyward@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sea Shepherd ships battered

IMPACT: Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin, left, and the Japanese whaler collide. Picture: SEA SHEPHERD

SEA Shepherd says three of its ships and a Korean tanker were rammed in a day of high drama on the Southern Ocean.

Sea Shepherd Australia director Jeff Hansen said the massive Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru, which is eight times the size of the anti-whaling group's Bob Barker, had caused extensive damage.

"It looks like a bomb's gone off on the deck above the bridge and one of the radars has gone," Mr Hansen said.

There were no injuries among the 38 crew.

Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson said the Nisshin Maru hit the Steve Irwin, the Bob Barker and the Sam Simon while they were attempting to stop the Japanese fleet refuelling just after lunchtime yesterday.

Captain Watson said the Bob Barker had lost power, but was under way again.

"The Nisshin Maru just came in, bullied their way through, and hit the Steve Irwin twice on the stern and hit the Bob Barker multiple times, pushing it into the side of the tanker," he said.

Captain Watson said the Nisshin Maru had continued to hit it with stun guns and water cannons and caused severe damage.

He said the Japanese ship had only backed off after a mayday call had been issued.

Sea Shepherd board member and former Greens leader Bob Brown called on Australia to police its territorial waters.

"This is a gross breach of international law by the Japanese," Dr Brown said.

"I'm calling the Australian Government to dispatch naval vessels now not just to film the slaughter of the whales by the Antarctic fleet but to restore international law."

Dr Brown said the incident was the worst since the sinking of the Ady Gil in 2010. The cause of that sinking, however, has been disputed.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said the Government was still confirming reports of the ramming incident and added the Government condemned 'scientific' whaling in all waters.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arrests over takeaway robbery

TWO teenagers and a 41-year-old man have been arrested over an alleged armed robbery at Hobart's Foodstop takeaway early this morning.

Police allege one of the youths entered the Elizabeth St shop at 1.26am armed with a knife and demanded money from a shop assistant.

The worker complied and the youth then ran to a red Ford Laser waiting outside.

Police allege the 41-year-old was standing at the shop door during the incident while the second youth waited in the car.

The vehicle was later stopped by police using road spikes on the Tasman Highway near Dunalley.

The stolen money was recovered from the car and the three suspects were arrested.

The two youths, aged 15 and 16, and the man are being held in custody to appear in court later today on charges of motor vehicle stealing, aggravated armed robbery and evading police.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Milne 'clears air' in Canberra

Senator Christine Milne at the National Press Club in Canberra today. Picture: KYM SMITH

AUSTRALIAN Greens leader Christine Milne says she's "cleared the air" by attacking the Federal Government for walking away from its agreement with the minor party.

The Tasmanian senator has accused Labor of choosing to support big miners and no longer honouring the agreement to work together to promote transparent and accountable government in the national interest.

Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra today, Senator Milne said it had been very obvious for a while that Labor had walked away from the deal.

Among the examples she cited were the Government's refusal to fix the mining tax, its decision to allow mining in the Tarkine in Tasmania, to expand coal seam gas mining and to cut single parent welfare payments.

"All of these actions undermine that fundamental agreement," Senator Milne told Sky News.

"I thought it was time we just cleared the air, said they've walked away and frankly the response from some of them shows they have walked away."

Asked if the agreement was still in place, Senator Milne said it was "on paper".

"But you can see from the Labor party's point of view it is not, and in a parliamentary scenario it is important to be very clear about the relationships," she said.

Senator Milne the Greens would still support supply bills and oppose no-confidence motions.

But it was dishonest of the government to pretend it was working in the public interest with the Greens, she said.

"The policies they are coming out with are the antithesis of that," she said.

Read more in tomorrow's Mercury.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Charges over museum thefts

A MAN has been charged with stealing objects from the Markree Collection from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, police said today.

Detectives started an investigation over the theft of objects from the collection in September last year.

They confirmed that numerous items, including watches, jewellery, historic photographs and die-cast toys had been sold on the online auction site eBay throughout 2012, a spokeswoman said.

A 41-year-old man from Lindisfarne was today charged with stealing those items and will appear in court in March.

The collection was donated to the museum by the late Henry Baldwin in 2008 and consisted of the contents of three houses.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heat, wind test fire crews

A helicopter battling the blaze near Gretna late yesterday. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

A FAST-MOVING bushfire near Gretna, in the upper Derwent Valley, challenged firefighters in yesterday's high winds and heat.

One lane of the Lyell Highway was closed near the junction of Woolpack and Clarendon roads early today as firefighters extinguished a power pole that had caught alight.

Up to three dozen crews assisted by water-bombing helicopters fought the small but intense fire in bush and farmland yesterday north of the Lyell Highway.

The Tasmania Fire Service said the blaze broke out about 5pm near Marked Tree Rd and a warning was issued for Gretna, Rosegarland, Black Hills and surrounding areas.

Helicopters worked in relays to bomb the flames.

Get the latest fire updates on the TFS website

Police set up a roadblock on the Lyell Highway south of Gretna but by mid-evening the alert had been downgraded from emergency to advice and residents from parts of Gretna farthest from the fire were allowed to return to their homes.

Earlier, Chief Fire Officer Mike Brown said despite testing conditions, fire activity in the state had been subdued.

"We've had about eight new fires start across the state," he said.

"The community has responded very well to the total fire ban.

People really are understanding the risky situation we're in at the moment."

Mr Brown praised the efforts of those fighting the fires and said he hoped a predicted weather change would ease things.

"It's been a huge effort all week, we've had fire crews assisted by crews from Parks and Wildlife Service and Forestry Tasmania.

"They've been up there on foot in very difficult terrain and it looks as though now their work has really paid off.

"We expect the weather conditions, with the wind conditions up to 50km/h, low humidity and high temperatures will continue until evening.

"We expect then to move into a change and possibly even some rain tomorrow."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Short 'n' sweet

CAN'T WAIT: Tropfest actor/director/writer Ella Watkins, left, and actor Sara Cooper ready for the Salamanca Square screening. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

HOBART film-lovers are in for a treat this afternoon and evening with perfect weather and a free, open-air venue to enjoy the country's best short films.

Thousands are expected in Salamanca Square as Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival, is screened live from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.

A consortium of local businesses and funding by Screen Tasmania ensured the popular event would go ahead again this year, with fans watching on a screen four times bigger than last year thanks to venue sponsor TasIVF.

There are 16 finalists in this year's Tropfest, all featuring the compulsory "Tropfest signature item", which this year is "balloon".

There are no Tasmanian films in this year's final lineup, but two local shorts were shortlisted -- Dingleberry and The Book of Memories.

Ella Watkins, 17, from West Hobart, who wrote, directed and starred in The Book of Memories, is thrilled to have been shortlisted for the prestigious film festival.

"It was just the most amazing thing," she said. "I started out as an actor, but three years ago after watching Tropfest I decided I really wanted to be in the festival, so I made a film of my own."

Sara Cooper, who had roles in both shortlisted Tasmanian films, said there was a huge amount of talent among local filmmakers.

"I can't believe a Tasmanian film has never made it to the finals, but I'm sure one will very soon," she said.

The screening begins at 2pm with the Trop Jr films by filmmakers under 15, and screening of the main Tropfest event 7pm.

Entry is free. Viewers have a chance to win a return trip for two to the Gold Coast.

Tropfest 2013 also screens tonight on SBS1 from 8.30pm.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tassie tradies spend up big

A NATIONAL financial health survey has confirmed some stereotypes in Tasmanian culture but it has shattered others.

Among the findings from the BT Financial Health Index is the fact that carpenters, brick-layers and other "tradies" are the biggest spenders in Australia, outlaying more than doctors and lawyers each month on food, medical expenses, childcare and schooling and other essentials.

Burnie "chippie" Justin Schmidt said he endorsed the findings based on his years in the trade but his brother Mark Schmidt said three of the tradies working at Island Workshop Pty Ltd broke the stereotype and were healthy eaters and got into serious exercise when they downed tools.

Justin Schmidt estimated some tradies spent up to $30 a day on tucker.

"You add up a bacon and egg roll and takeaway coffee for breakfast, a sausage roll and drink for smoko and more fast food for lunch and afternoon smoko and you are forking out a lot of money just to survive on the job," Justin said.

But some tradies are bucking the trend and looking after both their wallets and their health.

"The three carpenters I have on site today in Hobart are in great nick and involved in swimming, kung fu and other pursuits," Mark Schmidt said.

"Perhaps the days of the fat tradie are over."

A national survey into Australians' financial health has also revealed that cashed-up tradespeople, who are predominantly men and often self-employed, are the most guilty of "binge shopping".

The BT Australian Financial Health Index, based on a survey of almost 5000 Australians by Ernst & Young, found tradespeople spend on average $844 a month on food and $628 on family expenses such as medical bills, childcare and education.

Professionals dish out $831 a month on food and $594 on family expenses.

The survey also found tradies love to shop, with 17 per cent going on "buying binges".

- with BRITTANY STACK

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Short 'n' sweet

CAN'T WAIT: Tropfest actor/director/writer Ella Watkins, left, and actor Sara Cooper ready for the Salamanca Square screening. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

HOBART film-lovers are in for a treat this afternoon and evening with perfect weather and a free, open-air venue to enjoy the country's best short films.

Thousands are expected in Salamanca Square as Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival, is screened live from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.

A consortium of local businesses and funding by Screen Tasmania ensured the popular event would go ahead again this year, with fans watching on a screen four times bigger than last year thanks to venue sponsor TasIVF.

There are 16 finalists in this year's Tropfest, all featuring the compulsory "Tropfest signature item", which this year is "balloon".

There are no Tasmanian films in this year's final lineup, but two local shorts were shortlisted -- Dingleberry and The Book of Memories.

Ella Watkins, 17, from West Hobart, who wrote, directed and starred in The Book of Memories, is thrilled to have been shortlisted for the prestigious film festival.

"It was just the most amazing thing," she said. "I started out as an actor, but three years ago after watching Tropfest I decided I really wanted to be in the festival, so I made a film of my own."

Sara Cooper, who had roles in both shortlisted Tasmanian films, said there was a huge amount of talent among local filmmakers.

"I can't believe a Tasmanian film has never made it to the finals, but I'm sure one will very soon," she said.

The screening begins at 2pm with the Trop Jr films by filmmakers under 15, and screening of the main Tropfest event 7pm.

Entry is free. Viewers have a chance to win a return trip for two to the Gold Coast.

Tropfest 2013 also screens tonight on SBS1 from 8.30pm.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tassie tradies spend up big

A NATIONAL financial health survey has confirmed some stereotypes in Tasmanian culture but it has shattered others.

Among the findings from the BT Financial Health Index is the fact that carpenters, brick-layers and other "tradies" are the biggest spenders in Australia, outlaying more than doctors and lawyers each month on food, medical expenses, childcare and schooling and other essentials.

Burnie "chippie" Justin Schmidt said he endorsed the findings based on his years in the trade but his brother Mark Schmidt said three of the tradies working at Island Workshop Pty Ltd broke the stereotype and were healthy eaters and got into serious exercise when they downed tools.

Justin Schmidt estimated some tradies spent up to $30 a day on tucker.

"You add up a bacon and egg roll and takeaway coffee for breakfast, a sausage roll and drink for smoko and more fast food for lunch and afternoon smoko and you are forking out a lot of money just to survive on the job," Justin said.

But some tradies are bucking the trend and looking after both their wallets and their health.

"The three carpenters I have on site today in Hobart are in great nick and involved in swimming, kung fu and other pursuits," Mark Schmidt said.

"Perhaps the days of the fat tradie are over."

A national survey into Australians' financial health has also revealed that cashed-up tradespeople, who are predominantly men and often self-employed, are the most guilty of "binge shopping".

The BT Australian Financial Health Index, based on a survey of almost 5000 Australians by Ernst & Young, found tradespeople spend on average $844 a month on food and $628 on family expenses such as medical bills, childcare and education.

Professionals dish out $831 a month on food and $594 on family expenses.

The survey also found tradies love to shop, with 17 per cent going on "buying binges".

- with BRITTANY STACK

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More