Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted he was wrong about a $6 million federal grant for upgrades to the Marrickville Golf Club in his Sydney electorate of Grayndler. He had told the ABC in September that the grant was partly for fixing a sewerage problem. Finance Department officials later confirmed that sewerage work was not part of the agreement. Albanese told parliament on Tuesday, "I was not correct". Opposition frontbencher Dan Tehan's motion to force an apology failed, and an inquiry into federal grants is ongoing.
An amateur prospector has found a gold nugget weighing more than 1.2kg at Mt Stuart Station, near Tibooburra in north-west New South Wales. The nugget contains about 940g of pure gold and is worth between $150,000 and $160,000 at spot prices. The prospector believes a collector could pay up to $200,000 for it and has named it Tibooburra Spud. He nearly missed the find, which his metal detector picked up in mid-October after several days of digging. Video of the moment he unearthed it has been shared online.
Yarpa's Meet the Buyer event, held on October 22 at the Western Sydney Convention Centre in Penrith, New South Wales, brought together First Nations suppliers and industry buyers. The day produced about 480 strategically matched meetings, totalling 114 hours. Yarpa director Shannon Mallison said the event aims to create real opportunities through real connections. Yarpa said its membership has grown to over 720 First Nations business members, 470 corporate, government and industry members, and 2,900 people in total since the first event in 2019.
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Tenterfield Shire Council has published a series of public notices. White Swamp Road is closed for pipe replacement, with a detour in place. Killarney Road is affected by culvert repairs involving stormwater and headwall replacement. Tenterfield is moving to Level 2 moderate water restrictions from Thursday, 27 August 2026. The council has also announced five new bridge projects across the shire, aimed at improving safety and connectivity.
Jemena has signed new agreements backing plans to turn organic waste into renewable gas in Forbes and Cowra, in central New South Wales. The Forbes deal supports an anaerobic digestion facility expected to produce about 100 terajoules of biomethane a year for the gas network, more than double the town's current gas use. The Cowra project plans to produce more than 275 terajoules of biomethane annually from agricultural residues. The projects could create regional jobs and new income for farmers, and offer manufacturers and industrial businesses a way to cut emissions while using existing equipment.
Tenterfield will move to Level 2 (Moderate) water restrictions from Thursday, 27 August 2026. Tenterfield Shire Council has also announced a closure of White Swamp Road from 10 September 2026 for pipe replacement. Killarney Road is affected by culvert repairs, which include replacing stormwater pipes and headwalls. The council has also announced five new bridge projects across the shire. Separately, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has started an aerial and ground baiting program to control wild dogs.
Lismore City Council has attached 20 Return and Earn baskets to public bins across Lismore and Nimbin, so residents can collect containers to claim refunds. The baskets sit on bins in the Lismore CBD, local parks and sporting fields. The council says a review found about $670,000 in container refunds was being lost to waste. Exchange for Change, which coordinates the scheme, funds the baskets. The baskets are a trial, and the council plans more across the CBD and villages in 2027 if it succeeds. Residents are asked to keep coffee cups and takeaway packaging out of the baskets.
Tamworth's Sports and Entertainment Precinct is set to receive new crossings, street lighting and a shared path by mid-December. The $1.42 million road safety project is nearing completion. Upgrades include wombat and pedestrian crossings, safety fencing and a 3-metre shared path along Longyard Drive. Council staff transplanted 22 Australian native grass trees to spots that do not block sight lines at the Jack Smyth Drive roundabout. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Australian Government's Road Safety Program, which aims to reduce severe road injuries and deaths.
Former Sydney police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon reported work-related psychological trauma and claimed schizophrenia symptoms during a call to a police assistance line while on his way to surrender to detectives. He is on trial for the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, claiming self-defence. Lamarre-Condon accused the force of bullying and lack of support, saying it affected his mental health. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Hay Shire Council and FW & RB Crighton Rural Engineering have been awarded more than $5 million in grants under the Australian Government's Sustainable Communities Program. Crighton's will merge its two local operations into a purpose-built facility with new equipment and worker accommodation. Council will establish a regional circular economy hub to support waste management and renewable energy delivery. The grants are part of a $50 million package funding 20 projects across the Murray-Darling Basin. The projects aim to offset the effects of voluntary water buybacks, create jobs and build long-term climate resilience.
Harry Kane wore a rare off-catalogue Rolex Daytona valued at up to AUD$2.2 million at the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London. The England captain later collected two awards at the ceremony, the first held in London. Other players and guests also wore notable watches on the red carpet. Ousmane Dembélé chose a high-tech Richard Mille RM 055, while Kylian Mbappé wore a vintage-style Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo. Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold wore a Vanguart Orb Flying Tourbillon.
