Melbourne desk

Filed from the Melbourne desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Politics · 28 October 2026

Bluey cartoon sparks parliamentary squabble as ABC urges One Nation to yank the violent sketch; AFP warns hate may step off screen

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The ABC has asked One Nation to remove a cartoon that pits the beloved Bluey against former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, while the AFP cautions that online vitriol may soon leave the internet. The clash has turned a…

Finance · 28 October 2026

RBA’s Cup‑Day Rate Rumble: Inflation’s New Showstopper

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Reserve Bank of Australia, in a move as dramatic as a steeplechase, set to halt inflation once more on Melbourne Cup day, sparking speculation that interest rates might rise. Market participants are bracing for a sho…

Sports · 28 October 2026

Raiders Players Find Contract Extensions Have Legs, Walk Off Table, And Perhaps Toward Rabbitohs

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Sam Walker and Hudson Young are currently in search of new homes after their contract extensions were spectacularly withdrawn from the negotiating table.

Sports · 27 October 2026

Arki Butler, the Lippy Small‑Forward, Poised as a Top‑10 AFL Draft Pick

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

Small‑forward agitator Arki Butler, compared to Tom Papley, is being tipped as a top‑10 selection in next month’s AFL draft.

Sports · 27 October 2026

Walker’s final whistle? Roosters’ revolving door spins on Hudson Young and Raiders’ allure

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Speculation swirls around Sam Walker’s future with the Sydney Roosters, while Hudson Young and a potential Canberra Raiders lure add extra drama to the mix.

Sports · 27 October 2026

Sam Wright bows out, leaving Collingwood's AFLW side in a tailspin

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After three seasons of turmoil, Sam Wright resigns as Collingwood's AFLW coach, leaving the club amid calls for a complete overhaul of its women's program as senior players voice concerns over direction and improvement.

Sports · 27 October 2026

Berrettini’s Cringe Reply to Musetti’s Title Win Sparks Feud Talk

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

Matteo Berrettini gave an uneasy response when asked about Lorenzo Musetti’s recent title, fueling speculation of a rift between the two Italian players.

World · 26 October 2026

Storm Boelo’s arboreal assault leaves Britain’s power grid in a twig‑tangled mess

Celia Marsh, London desk

Storm Boelo ripped through the UK with 84mph gusts, toppling trees that claimed two lives and left up to 800,000 homes in the dark, while 90,000 properties remained powerless.

Sports · 26 October 2026

Gawn Applauds Viney’s ‘Brutal’ Exit as His Own Contract Looms

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Melbourne captain Max Gawn backs the club’s decision to let Jack Viney go, noting he’s watched several teammates depart in recent seasons and that his own contract negotiations are now imminent.