Sydney desk

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

Business · 12 October 2026

Larvotto hits high‑grade gold jackpot at Hillgrove and christens a new lode “Echidna”

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Larvotto announced multiple high‑grade gold hits at its Hillgrove mine in NSW, including the Blacklode and Midas lodes and a newly discovered vein named “Echidna.” The find adds to the antimony‑gold potential of…

Sports · 12 October 2026

Munster's Melbourne Money Can't Lure Him to Sydney

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Cameron Munster says he isn’t interested in a Sydney switch and is weighing a new contract offer from Melbourne Storm, leaving his future for next season undecided.

Sports · 12 October 2026

South Melbourne Wins Australia Cup in Penalty Drama, Fans Boo Welcome to Country

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

South Melbourne edged Melbourne Victory on penalties to claim the Australia Cup, but the celebration was marred when a handful of fans booed the pre‑match Welcome to Country ceremony, prompting the FA boss to condemn t…

World · 12 October 2026

After Five Years in Iraqi Jail, Australian Engineer Returns to Ireland

Priya Nair, Sydney desk

Australian construction engineer Robert Pether, detained in Iraq since April 2021, has been released and arrived in Ireland this morning, ending a five‑year captivity.

Sports · 12 October 2026

Wanderers Admit Ten‑Year Slump Wasn’t About the Coach

Sam Orbit, World desk

Western Sydney Wanderers acknowledge a decade of underperformance and claim the appointment of coach Ufuk Talay is not the season’s pivotal hire.

Finance · 12 October 2026

ASX 200 climbs 0.8% as Telstra slips – Alan Kohler bows out, David Chau steps into the 7pm spotlight

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The ASX 200 rose 0.8% on Monday despite a fall in Telstra shares. At the same time, veteran presenter Alan Kohler announced his retirement from the 7 pm finance show, with David Chau named as his successor.

Politics · 12 October 2026

Albanese Govt Accused of Bullying Over Nuclear Waste FOI Secrecy

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The Albanese administration is fighting to keep FOI documents on nuclear waste secrecy hidden, prompting crossbenchers, including Jacqui Lambie, to label the move as bullying.

Technology · 12 October 2026

Food Delivery Robots Get Kicked, Beaten and Tipped Over – America’s AI Anxiety Hits the Pavement

Ash Park, Sydney desk

In the United States, food‑delivery robots are being kicked, beaten and tipped over, reflecting a growing public unease about AI technology rather than a simple lack of patience.

Business · 12 October 2026

Trump’s Odd Moscow Pact to Lower Oil Prices Likely to Falter

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Donald Trump has struck an unusual agreement with Moscow aimed at reducing oil prices, but analysts say the plan is destined to fail.