Sydney desk

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

Politics · 28 October 2026

Greens unveil $1,000 worker rebate, but leave the resource sector clutching its ledger

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The Greens have pledged a flat $1,000 tax cut for all employees, while explicitly excluding the mining and resource industries from the giveaway. The move mirrors the broader tax‑cut chorus from government and oppositi…

Politics · 28 October 2026

Spender rallies business brigade over Chalmers' CGT tweak

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Federal MP Tim Spender has led a business revolt against Treasury Minister Jim Chalmers’ capital‑gains‑tax tweak, pointing to Israel’s similar inflation‑adjusted model capped at 30%.

Politics · 27 October 2026

PM concedes $6m golf grant wasn’t for sewers – what’s the real plan?

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese admits the $6 million grant to Marrickville Golf Club was not for sewage works, after officials clarified the money was earmarked for the club itself.

Business · 27 October 2026

Yo‑Chi’s frozen yoghurt crusade: 80 MPs receive anti‑plastic postcards as market participants scramble for green branding

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Australia’s biggest frozen yoghurt chain Yo‑Chi is mailing anti‑plastic postcards to 80 parliamentarians, prompting a flurry of market‑participant commentary on green branding and consumer activism.

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.

Finance · 27 October 2026

Small‑Business Pain Parade: Inflation, Rate Hikes and Red‑Tape Trip Up Payments

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Small‑business owners are slipping into payment arrears as policy shifts, rising inflation and higher interest rates combine to create a perfect storm of financial strain.

Finance · 27 October 2026

Anthropic’s IPO filing nudges ASX and Wall Street upward

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Anthropic’s move to go public has the Australian and U.S. markets edging higher as investors digest the filing and await key big‑tech earnings.

Finance · 26 October 2026

Miner Rally Pushes ASX Higher, November Rate‑Hike Odds Top 60%

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The ASX recovered from an early sell‑off to close marginally higher, driven by a rally in mining stocks, lifting the market’s view of a November Reserve Bank of Australia rate hike to above 60%.

Politics · 26 October 2026

Cardboard Cockatoo Sparks Empty Seat and Parliamentary Fury

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

A cardboard cockatoo became the unlikely catalyst for a rare act of violence in the House of Representatives, leaving a member’s seat empty and igniting a nationwide debate on the resilience of Australian democracy.