Sydney desk

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

Sports · 1 day ago

Clayton’s Claim Puts Labuschagne’s Test Spot on the Line

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Jack Clayton’s recent Sheffield Shield form has forced selectors to reconsider Marnus Labuschagne’s place in the Australian Test side, turning the domestic competition into a high‑stakes audition.

Business · 1 day ago

KMD Brands, owner of Rip Curl and Kathmandu, in exclusive talks with US retail giant

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

KMD Brands, the parent of Rip Curl and Kathmandu, confirmed on Monday it is in exclusive discussions with an unnamed US consumer brand group about a possible takeover, sparking speculation among investors and surf‑an…

Sports · 1 day ago

Bluffers, Numbers and Silk Envelopes: Inside Melbourne Cup’s Betting Circus

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Veteran punters pore over form guides and statistics, while newcomers rely on silk colours, favourite numbers and other superstitions – a clash of data‑driven strategy and lucky charm at Australia’s biggest race.

Finance · 1 day ago

Westpac predicts 11% house‑price drop while posting $6.8 bn profit

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Westpac, Australia’s second‑biggest lender, said interest rates will stay elevated and house prices could fall more than 10% by March, even as it reported a $6.8 bn profit.

Politics · 1 day ago

Sydney councils consider a civics‑courtesy code to keep good‑hearted politicians from fleeing the scene

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

A new push for courteous accountability aims to stop intimidation from scaring away community‑minded candidates, with councils drafting a ‘civics‑courtesy’ guide.

Politics · 1 day ago

Chalmers’ Mea Culpa Jolts Labor into a Frantic Hunt for a New Compass

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Jim Chalmers’ recent admission has left the unpopular Labor government scrambling to define its direction.

Environment · 1 day ago

Monster El Niño: Sydney’s Summers Get Hotter, Rain Takes a Holiday

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

A powerful El Niño event is set to bring hotter summers and less rain to Sydney and the eastern seaboard for years, reshaping daily life and prompting new climate‑adaptation strategies.

Sports · 2 days ago

Hammer‑Standing Showdown: To’o Fires Back as Tonga‑Samoa Clash Lights Up CommBank Stadium

Noor Hale, World desk

In a sold‑out group match at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium, Samoa’s To’o responded after Tonga’s Toia stood up the “Hammer”. The Pacific rivals delivered a high‑energy contest, while Lebanon edged France in a…

Sports · 2 days ago

Jillaroos' 124‑6 demolition leaves Wales wondering if they missed the train

Reginald Penny, London desk

The Australian Jillaroos smashed Wales 124‑6 in Sydney, setting a new World Cup record and leaving the Welsh side looking like they’d missed the train to competitiveness.