Sydney desk

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

Politics · 6 October 2026

Taylor's Two‑Thirds Migration Cut: A Bureaucratic Bid to Outshine One Nation

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

NSW Minister Taylor has announced a plan to slash migration by two‑thirds in an attempt to rival One Nation. The move would force international students to apply for visas from offshore and could prompt temporary migra…

Finance · 6 October 2026

ASX Hopes to Ride Wall Street’s Record‑Chasing Rollercoaster While Bidding for a Spot on the Bump

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

With U.S. shares flirting with new highs after a flurry of buy‑out deals, Australian market participants are clutching their mugs, hoping the ASX will follow the trend rather than sit on the sidelines.

Politics · 6 October 2026

Greens’ Ukraine aid stance sparks fury, with parties dubbing it a Putin present

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The Australian Greens were rebuked by both major parties and the Ukrainian diaspora for blocking military aid to Ukraine, with critics saying the move would be a present for Vladimir Putin.

Politics · 5 October 2026

Home Affairs to hand out spare passport to ex‑IS teen, citing minor status

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

A 23‑year‑old Australian who was a minor during involvement with IS is expected to receive a passport and avoid prosecution, officials say.

Business · 5 October 2026

King River Strikes Shallow High‑Grade Gold at Mindoolah

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

King River Resources reported shallow, high‑grade gold hits of 13.59 g/t and 10.70 g/t over 1‑metre intervals at its new Mindoolah project in Western Australia, sparking investor excitement about a quick path to…

Sports · 5 October 2026

Roosters Double Up: Sydney Celebrates 2026 NRL & NRLW Victories

Noor Hale, World desk

The Sydney Roosters captured both the 2026 NRL and NRLW premierships, prompting city‑wide celebrations that turned the capital into a sea of teal and white. Fans, food stalls and even the local wildlife joined the part…

Sports · 5 October 2026

Labuschagne’s 111 Crashes Critics, Rides the Durban Test Wave

Doug Kettle, Sydney desk

Marnus Labuschagne’s 111 off a South Africa Invitation XI warm‑up match silences doubters and secures his spot as Australia’s number three in the upcoming Durban Test series.

Sports · 5 October 2026

De Minaur dribbles past Rublev to score Beijing semi‑final spot

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Alex de Minaur stuns Andrey Rublev with a late‑match rally to book his place in the China Open semi‑finals in Beijing.

World · 5 October 2026

Debris Field Near Nantucket Linked to Missing Seven‑Person Medical Plane

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

A field of aircraft debris discovered off Nantucket is believed to be from a missing medical flight that was carrying seven people, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.