About Us
Tasmanian Inquirer is an independent news project founded by three award-winning local journalists – Bob Burton, Adam Morton and Mark Horstman – to publish high-quality, public-interest journalism on the state’s politics, society and environment. Tasmanian Inquirer was launched in March 2020.
Tasmanian Inquirer pursues unreported and under-reported issues, and hold powerful players in Tasmanian society to account.
We aim for quality, not quantity. Instead of publishing a high volume of stories to a fixed daily deadline, we publish quality news and analysis that is beyond the existing news cycle, focusing on stories not covered by other outlets. With your support, we intend to publish with increasing frequency over time.
As we believe free access to information is vital in a democracy, articles are not hidden behind a paywall. Our website also does not feature advertising.
Instead, Tasmanian Inquirer relies solely on the voluntary financial and other support of readers. Those with the means can help provide access to those without.
We welcome suggestions of subjects worthy of investigation, and especially tips of information that could help lead to stories in the public interest. You can reach individual reporters via a message box found at the foot of each story or via mail at PO Box 35, South Hobart, Tasmania 7004.
As it is currently difficult to establish a media non-profit in Australia, Tasmanian Inquirer has been established as a for-profit company.
Tasmanian Inquirer is an active member of the Local and Independent News Association.
Impact
Since launching in March 2020 Tasmanian Inquirer has made a measurable difference on major issues in the state. Our reporting on political donations laws influenced the Liberal Government to strengthen its position, triggered increased corporate disclosure and was directly referred to in Parliament. We revealed a secret $1 million public relations and lobbying campaign by TasNetworks, a government business, aimed at winning approval for the $3.5 billion Marinus electricity link project. Articles published by Tasmanian Inquirer have been republished by The Guardian and RenewEconomy and spurred follow-up coverage in The Mercury, the ABC and other media outlets. Tasmanian Inquirer is a small publisher, but our articles - and the information we have revealed - have reached tens of thousands of people in Tasmania and beyond.
Recognition
Articles published by Tasmanian Inquirer have been recognised at the Tasmanian Media Awards. Author and historian James Boyce won the award for the best feature, documentary or current affairs in 2021 for his Tasmanian Inquirer article “Losing streak: James Boyce’s new chapter on Tasmania’s gaming addiction”. The judges wrote of James’s article: “This is exactly the kind of journalism that Tasmania desperately needs, to break through the walls of secrecy that are the established methods of government here and force accountability and transparency of those who are supposed to be serving the public interest.”
Bob Burton was a finalist in two categories - best comment and analysis, and best freelance journalist - in 2022 for articles published by Tasmanian Inquirer.
But the recognition that matters most is the feedback from readers.
“Tasmanian Inquirer provides and important service and helps keep our democracy strong by being and independent and Tasmanian-owned. It reports without fear or favour and can be relied on to be accurate and reliable.” – Neil Spark
“I live on the mainland but spend time most years volunteering and travelling in Tasmania. Tasmanian Inquirer provides an informed independent voice that keeps me in touch with Tasmanian issues that fly under the radar, particularly on the mainland.” – Joss Haiblen
“Investigative journalism from an independent angle is vital to the wellbeing of Tasmanians and our democracy.” – Brad Freeman
“Really important journalism that goes to places not many publications dare.” – Paul Pritchard
“At a time when all mainstream Tasmanian media is increasingly focused on clickbait and maximising page views, the Tasmanian Inquirer is able to provide comprehensive, considered and resource-intensive investigations and analysis. It provides an excellent resource for those interested in government, media, integrity and transparency.” – A Tasmanian journalist.
Thank you
Thank you to all those who have donated to Tasmanian Inquirer, shared our stories on social media, provided tipoffs and mentioned us to friends. Our impact is all down to your support and enthusiasm.
Tasmanian Inquirer is indebted to John Anderson from Forte Web Design, a Hobart-based web design company, for his meticulous work in creating this website. If you need a web designer, we highly recommend John.
Tasmanian Inquirer is grateful for legal support from Vanessa Bleyer and her team at Bleyer Lawyers, based in Launceston and Melbourne.
Author photos are courtesy of Rob Blakers from Rob Blakers Photography.
Tasmanian Inquirer pursues unreported and under-reported issues, and hold powerful players in Tasmanian society to account.
We aim for quality, not quantity. Instead of publishing a high volume of stories to a fixed daily deadline, we publish quality news and analysis that is beyond the existing news cycle, focusing on stories not covered by other outlets. With your support, we intend to publish with increasing frequency over time.
As we believe free access to information is vital in a democracy, articles are not hidden behind a paywall. Our website also does not feature advertising.
Instead, Tasmanian Inquirer relies solely on the voluntary financial and other support of readers. Those with the means can help provide access to those without.
We welcome suggestions of subjects worthy of investigation, and especially tips of information that could help lead to stories in the public interest. You can reach individual reporters via a message box found at the foot of each story or via mail at PO Box 35, South Hobart, Tasmania 7004.
As it is currently difficult to establish a media non-profit in Australia, Tasmanian Inquirer has been established as a for-profit company.
Tasmanian Inquirer is an active member of the Local and Independent News Association.
Impact
Since launching in March 2020 Tasmanian Inquirer has made a measurable difference on major issues in the state. Our reporting on political donations laws influenced the Liberal Government to strengthen its position, triggered increased corporate disclosure and was directly referred to in Parliament. We revealed a secret $1 million public relations and lobbying campaign by TasNetworks, a government business, aimed at winning approval for the $3.5 billion Marinus electricity link project. Articles published by Tasmanian Inquirer have been republished by The Guardian and RenewEconomy and spurred follow-up coverage in The Mercury, the ABC and other media outlets. Tasmanian Inquirer is a small publisher, but our articles - and the information we have revealed - have reached tens of thousands of people in Tasmania and beyond.
Recognition
Articles published by Tasmanian Inquirer have been recognised at the Tasmanian Media Awards. Author and historian James Boyce won the award for the best feature, documentary or current affairs in 2021 for his Tasmanian Inquirer article “Losing streak: James Boyce’s new chapter on Tasmania’s gaming addiction”. The judges wrote of James’s article: “This is exactly the kind of journalism that Tasmania desperately needs, to break through the walls of secrecy that are the established methods of government here and force accountability and transparency of those who are supposed to be serving the public interest.”
Bob Burton was a finalist in two categories - best comment and analysis, and best freelance journalist - in 2022 for articles published by Tasmanian Inquirer.
But the recognition that matters most is the feedback from readers.
“Tasmanian Inquirer provides and important service and helps keep our democracy strong by being and independent and Tasmanian-owned. It reports without fear or favour and can be relied on to be accurate and reliable.” – Neil Spark
“I live on the mainland but spend time most years volunteering and travelling in Tasmania. Tasmanian Inquirer provides an informed independent voice that keeps me in touch with Tasmanian issues that fly under the radar, particularly on the mainland.” – Joss Haiblen
“Investigative journalism from an independent angle is vital to the wellbeing of Tasmanians and our democracy.” – Brad Freeman
“Really important journalism that goes to places not many publications dare.” – Paul Pritchard
“At a time when all mainstream Tasmanian media is increasingly focused on clickbait and maximising page views, the Tasmanian Inquirer is able to provide comprehensive, considered and resource-intensive investigations and analysis. It provides an excellent resource for those interested in government, media, integrity and transparency.” – A Tasmanian journalist.
Thank you
Thank you to all those who have donated to Tasmanian Inquirer, shared our stories on social media, provided tipoffs and mentioned us to friends. Our impact is all down to your support and enthusiasm.
Tasmanian Inquirer is indebted to John Anderson from Forte Web Design, a Hobart-based web design company, for his meticulous work in creating this website. If you need a web designer, we highly recommend John.
Tasmanian Inquirer is grateful for legal support from Vanessa Bleyer and her team at Bleyer Lawyers, based in Launceston and Melbourne.
Author photos are courtesy of Rob Blakers from Rob Blakers Photography.
Meet our team
Bob Burton
Bob is a Hobart-based author, researcher and freelance journalist. He is the Editor of CoalWire, a weekly digest on the global coal industry for the US-based Global Energy Monitor, and a co-founder of Tasmanian Inquirer.
His freelance journalism has been published in news outlets from the British Medical Journal to the US-based PR Watch. He is also the author of Inside Spin (2007) and co-author of two other books: Secrets and Lies with Nicky Hager and Big Coal with Guy Pearse and David McKnight.
His freelance journalism has been published in news outlets from the British Medical Journal to the US-based PR Watch. He is also the author of Inside Spin (2007) and co-author of two other books: Secrets and Lies with Nicky Hager and Big Coal with Guy Pearse and David McKnight.
Adam Morton
Adam is a reporter, editor and a returned Tasmanian, having moved back to Hobart in 2015. He is environment editor of Guardian Australia, and a co-founder of Tasmanian Inquirer.
He held several senior roles for The Age in Melbourne, and has reported and written for the Sydney Morning Herald, ABC, BBC and Nature, among others. He has won several industry awards, including the United Nations Association of Australia media award for environmental reporting three times.
He held several senior roles for The Age in Melbourne, and has reported and written for the Sydney Morning Herald, ABC, BBC and Nature, among others. He has won several industry awards, including the United Nations Association of Australia media award for environmental reporting three times.
Mark Horstman
Mark is a prodigal Queenslander who after more than a decade, now calls Hobart home. A zoologist by training, his specialty in science communication has been honed across multiple careers in conservation advocacy, Aboriginal land management, broadcast journalism with Radio National and Catalyst at the ABC. He is currently communicating research with the Antarctic science sector.
His role as a co-founder of Tasmanian Inquirer is to offer sage advice and provide support in social media, photography and graphic design.
His role as a co-founder of Tasmanian Inquirer is to offer sage advice and provide support in social media, photography and graphic design.
Web Site development, maintenance and support.
