adama, Buckshot is probably right with the type, there haven't been 737s into Launceston (well Red Rat ones anyway) for ages, at least until Jetstar started May 25th when one returned.
In 2001 it was a Southern base, operating 146s on the routes toAdelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
In the festivities following the attack in the US and Ansett's collapse the 146 base was moved to Canberra and Impulse took over the route around late October so 717 probably was the type operating out of Launceston. If it was a 737 then it would have been an ad hoc charter.