Northern Tasmanian jobs are under a cloud with news minerals giant BHP Billiton is suspending production at its George Town processing plant.
The TEMCO facility produces more than 300 thousand tonnes of manganese alloys each year - but will stop work early next month, meaning some contractors will lose work but permanent staff are safe for now.
There could be further job losses after a three month review.
TEMCO's General Manager Greg Hannan says external pressures are to blame.
Economic Windfall from Same-Sex Marriage
There are claims Tasmania could reap millions of dollars in economic benefits if it introduces same-sex marriage laws.
American academic Professor Lee Badgett is in Hobart with her study into into the economic impact of same-sex marriage.
Gay rights advocates are hoping Tasmania will "go it alone" if the Federal Government doesn't act to implement a country-wide policy.
Professor Lee Badgett says Tasmania could reap up to $100 million if it moves first.
Leadership Spill for Federal Labor
Prime Minister Julia Gillard will call a ballot for the Labor Party leadership at 10am on Monday after Kevin Rudd's resignation as Foreign Minister.
Ms Gillard says she anticipates Mr Rudd would also be a candidate in the leadership ballot.
She's called on him to take the an undertaking if he doesn't succeed he'll go to the backbench and renounce any further claims to the leadership.
Labor Senator for Tasmania Lisa Singh says it's understandable voters would be disappointed with what's been happening.
Assault Charge over Martin Bashing
A Hobart woman's facing an assault charge over last week's attack on fallen politician Terry Martin.
Martin was walking free from the Supreme Court in Hobart after avoiding jail for possessing child pornography when he was set upon by two women.
He received a head wound during the scuffle - a 41 year old Gagebrook woman has been charged and police say they expect to charge a second woman soon.
Seven Face Charges For Harbouring Criminals
A group of mates are in hot water for aiding and abetting two prisoners who escaped from Risdon last month.
Several alleged offenders have been nabbed, in what's thought to be the largest number of people charged with harbouring a criminal in Tasmania.
It's after 22 year old James Peter Sampson and 19 year old Kyle Leslie Lynch took off from the Ron Barwick Minimum Security facility at Risdon Prison on January 21, leading police on a 5 day man hunt throughout the state. The two were eventually arrested at a house in Exeter.
A 22 year old man from Derby will appear in the Launceston Magistrate's in April, The other six will front at a later date.
