Sydney desk

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

Environment · 7 October 2026

High Court Blocks Anti‑Coal Appeal, but Legal Battles Ahead for Australian Miners

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The High Court has temporarily shielded Australian coal exporters by rejecting an anti‑coal appeal, yet the court filings make clear that new lawsuits will keep coming, leaving the industry braced for a long legal ride…

Politics · 7 October 2026

Albanese’s $20 million Pacific climate summit draws empty chairs and domestic criticism

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Australian government spent $20 million on a Pacific climate summit that attracted few world leaders, leaving Prime Minister Albanese and the Labor Party to defend the expense as domestic political pressure builds.

Politics · 7 October 2026

Builders brag about quarterly uptick while councils stare at the ever‑growing gap to the housing target

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

Home construction has nudged higher this quarter, yet it remains far short of government ambitions, as soaring costs and interest‑rate pressure threaten to stall the momentum.

Technology · 7 October 2026

Pornhub Back in Australia, But Only After Apple Gives the 18‑Plus Thumbs‑Up

Ash Park, Sydney desk

Pornhub has quietly returned to Australia, but the Canadian‑owned site can only be accessed after iPhone and iPad users clear Apple’s notoriously strict age‑verification prompt, which the company says is one of the…

Business · 7 October 2026

Dalaroo’s Côte d’Ivoire Gold Jackpot Catapults Shares 67%

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Dalaroo Metals shares jumped 67% to 12.5c after announcing a high‑grade gold discovery in Côte d’Ivoire, estimating 18 million ounces at 7.31 g/t and a broader 23 million ounces at 2.14 g/t.

Finance · 7 October 2026

Wall Street Winks: Two Tech Stars Keep the Market on a Tightrope While War, Bonds and Oil Rage

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Despite geopolitical tension, a bond rout and stubbornly high oil prices, the U.S. share market is still climbing, but the lift comes from just two tech giants. The rally is narrow, not a broad‑based bull run, and the…

Politics · 7 October 2026

Taylor Dismisses ‘Flat Tyre’ Analogy as Labor Calls Migration Policy AI‑Written

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Angus Taylor brushed off a business group’s description of his migration policy as a ‘flat tyre’, labeling the critique as vested interests, while a Labor spokesperson said the coalition’s new migration policy lo…

Politics · 7 October 2026

Labor’s budget trim leaves Ask Izzy’s crisis directory on the brink of digital extinction

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The federal Labor government withdrew funding for the widely used Ask Izzy crisis directory, prompting 24 charities to mobilise a low‑key campaign to keep the service alive.

Politics · 6 October 2026

Albanese Declares Pacific ‘Unified, Not Uniform’ on Climate, Leaves Tuvalu Leaders Raising Eyebrows

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Pacific region’s response to climate change is “unified, not uniform,” prompting puzzled reactions from leaders on the tiny island of Tuvalu, which has long bee…