Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has said he will absolutely not take part in the national gun buyback, arguing good people should keep their weapons. NSW police stations in six locations will accept surrendered guns from November 2, with 34 more sites opening from December 1. NSW is the only state so far to sign up, and the scheme will compensate people for firearms they can no longer legally own. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community means a safer community.
Firearms licence holders in NSW can now book through the Gun Safe portal to surrender eligible guns and ammunition for compensation. The scheme officially starts on 2 November and is expected to see up to 274,000 firearms returned in the state. It follows the Bondi Beach terror attack earlier this year, in which 15 people were killed. Only Sutherland and Penrith police stations take bookings in the first phase, with more stations opening later in November and in 2027. Police Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community mean a safer community.
The New South Wales government has promised a $6.8 billion upgrade to the South Coast rail line if re-elected next year. The plan includes electrifying the line between Kiama and Bomaderry, so passengers could travel from Sydney to Nowra without changing trains. Extra tracks and passing loops are also planned between Wollongong and Kiama. Planning is expected to start in 2027, with construction completed in the mid to late 2030s. The announcement follows the scrapping of a planned timetable overhaul on the line, which had drawn commuter backlash.
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The Tamborine Mountain Bushrats held their senior men's end-of-season awards dinner at St Bernards Hotel on September 26. Ethan Sutherland received the Ned Kelly Award for courage, and also won Most Improved Forward. Daniel Macauley took the Slammin' Sam Backo Best Forward Award, and Edward Brimelow was voted Players' Player by his teammates. Coach Todd Tasker said the group had stuck together through a challenging season and built a culture based on accountability and effort.
A 26-year-old man has been extradited from Poland and charged with murder over the 2023 death of a 22-year-old in Sydney. NSW Police arrested him in Europe, and he landed in Sydney on Friday. He refused bail and is due in court on Saturday. Court documents allege Darcy Schafer-Turner died after being restrained at a Sydney apartment during an attempt to recover a $50,000 drug debt. His body was found in a metal cabinet near Macksville in May 2023. Zachary Richard Fraser was previously sentenced for manslaughter, and Charles Dennis Turnbull pleaded guilty to being an accessory.
Women working in New South Wales local government have been honoured at a ceremony at Parliament House. Ministers Ron Hoenig and Jodie Harrison hosted the Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government. The awards drew a record 188 nominations, two-thirds from rural and regional councils. Winners include frontline staff, senior executives, councillors and mayors from councils across the state. The ministers said they hope the awards will encourage more people to pursue careers in local government.
Australia have won the women's T20 series 2-0 against New Zealand after the third match in Sydney was abandoned without a ball being bowled past the powerplay. Rain ended play at North Sydney Oval, with New Zealand at 2-11 when the players left the field. Australia retain the Rose Bowl trophy, which they have held for more than 26 years. The two sides meet again in a three-game one-day series in Canberra and Melbourne in March.
Melbourne Renegades bowler Jason Behrendorff will miss the entire BBL|16 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The 36-year-old is the fourth most prolific bowler in Big Bash history, with 145 wickets. He said he has a clear plan with the medical team and aims to return to full fitness. The Renegades have confirmed they will sign an injury replacement. Tom Rogers is set to return from his own shoulder injury, while Brendan Doggett and Will Sutherland are expected to take on more work.
Beaches at Coogee and Maroubra in Sydney's east have been closed to swimmers after a whale carcass was spotted floating against the coastline. The dead whale, suspected to be a young humpback, was seen at Lurline Bay on Thursday morning. Randwick Council says the beaches will stay closed until further notice while the whale is removed. Whale scientist Vanessa Pirotta says the animal is likely a young adult or teenaged humpback and has advised against swimming in the area.
Harry Hoekstra took another wicket on the morning of day three of the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart. His dismissal of Ben McDermott left Tasmania at 5 for 75. Hoekstra has taken seven wickets in the match so far, including 5 for 46 in the first innings. Victoria needs to win after a poor showing in the first round against South Australia. The Tigers were building a lead, which was approaching 150 runs.
Ashleigh Gardner hit 84 from 45 deliveries and took two wickets as Australia beat New Zealand by 40 runs in the second women's T20 international in Sydney. Australia posted 7-167 at North Sydney Oval, with Beth Mooney scoring 37. Georgia Wareham took 3-18 as New Zealand were restricted to 8-127. The win means Australia have retained the Rose Bowl with one match to play. The series finale is on Thursday night.
Ben McDermott and Jake Doran are set to be key figures in Tasmania's round two Sheffield Shield match against Victoria, which could go either way. After 14 wickets fell on Tuesday at Bellerive Oval, the pair rescued the home side for the second day running. Tasmania reached 4-39 at stumps, a lead of 73, with McDermott unbeaten on 12 and Doran on 14. Victoria had been well placed before Mitch Owen took 4-58 and Marcus Bean took 3-32, sparking a collapse.
Australia have been asked to bat first in the second women's T20I against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval after losing the toss. Phoebe Litchfield returns from a low-grade hip strain, replacing Tahlia McGrath in the side. Australia lost the opening match by two wickets, and New Zealand need to win the series to end a long gap in trans-Tasman T20I wins. New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer hit a career-best 85 not out in the first game. The series decider is set for Thursday, October 22.
A covert recording of a prison meeting between Beau Lamarre-Condon and a friend has been played to the New South Wales supreme court. Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. He is accused of fatally shooting Jesse Baird and Luke Davies with his police service weapon at Baird's Paddington home in February 2024. In the recording, Lamarre-Condon allegedly says he fully takes accountability for drawing his friend into the matter. The trial before Justice Natalie Adams continues.
A modest bungalow in Maroubra with ocean views sold at auction for $7 million on Saturday, well above its $6.5 million reserve, after a developer competed with two owner-occupier bidders. The buyer plans to demolish the house and build a new home. Ray White director Angus Gorrie said the result surprised him. Across Sydney, Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 45 per cent from 490 reported results, with 184 auctions withdrawn. In Como, a family upsizing bought a five-bedroom home for $3.14 million, while an Alexandria apartment sold for $1.31 million after being passed in.
An 88-year-old woman has died in hospital after she was struck by a car in Pyree, in the NSW Shoalhaven region. Police were called to Pyree Lane at about 1:45 pm on Saturday, 24 October, after reports of a pedestrian being hit. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was flown to St George Hospital in a critical condition. Police were told on Sunday, 25 October, that she had died. The 43-year-old driver returned a negative result on a roadside breath test and was taken to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital for mandatory testing.
A whale calf carcass has washed ashore at Malabar Beach in Sydney, the third landing spot for the same animal. Randwick Council workers moved the remains up the sand, roped off the area and closed the beach on Tuesday. Council said strong currents moved the carcass from Lurline Bay and that it will be removed and disposed of on Tuesday 27 October. Earlier, Coogee and Maroubra beaches were shut after the carcass became stuck against rocks at Lurline Bay.
The NSW Government has committed $6.8 billion to electrify the South Coast rail line between Kiama and Bomaderry and to double tracks at key bottlenecks. Construction is expected to be complete by the mid-to-late 2030s, with detailed planning starting in 2027. The announcement follows the government scrapping timetable changes that were due to take effect in November after community concerns. Premier Chris Minns said the upgrade would deliver faster, more reliable trains. An immediate $621 million will fund upgrades to power, signalling and flood protection ahead of the main works.
Kiama Community Radio is hosting Blues in the Night, a fundraising event on Saturday 7 November at Kiama Leagues Club. The station, run by volunteers, is seeking support to fund its equipment, technology and facilities. Headliner Frank Sultana will perform alongside Shane Flew and Matt Ross, and Jr and the Jewel-Tones, which includes Kiama musician Dave Shaw. Doors open at 5 pm. Tickets cost $50, or $40 for station members, plus a booking fee. Every ticket sold supports the station, which has operated since 2020.
Police are searching for a man in a balaclava after a suspected arson attack on a house in Abbotsford, in Sydney's inner west. Four people were taken to hospital. An 88-year-old woman was rescued by a 49-year-old man who climbed a ladder. A neighbour confronted the man while he was allegedly setting the house alight. Police believe he fled in a red Holden Astra and had suffered burns. About 40 firefighters attended the blaze, which spread to an adjoining house.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been hired as a professor of practice at the University of Sydney. The 46-year-old joins the faculty of medicine and health, where the role will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern will explore ways to address global health challenges, inclusion and wellbeing, and will lead guest lectures and masterclasses. The university says the position is not a full-time teaching role. Ardern and her family moved to Australia in February, reportedly buying a $5.3 million home on Sydney's northern beaches.
Mini has unveiled the Lucky 13 Edition, an Australian-exclusive limited-run model based on the John Cooper Works three-door hatch. It honours the 1966 Bathurst 500 victory by Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden in a factory-backed Morris Mini Cooper S. The special edition's name comes from Mr Holden drawing number 13 from a hat and adopting it as his lucky number. Design cues include white bonnet stripes, a white roof and circular 13 decals. Just 26 cars will be built for Australia, with arrival expected in the first quarter of 2027. Pricing starts at $71,990 before on-road costs.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lecture and mentor at the University of Sydney, beginning this month. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Based in the school of public health, she will host guest lectures and masterclasses, although the university says it is not a full-time teaching role. Vice-chancellor Mark Scott praised Ardern's leadership, saying empathy and resolve can strengthen each other. Ardern moved to Australia earlier this year.
Sexual assault complainants could face less distressing questioning in court under proposed changes. Wollongong District Court is one of three NSW courts chosen to trial new rules on how long questioning can last and what topics can be covered. The trial would run from 2027 to 2030 if passed by NSW Parliament. The Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed the reforms, backed by $4.8 million in government funding. Attorney General Michael Daley said the changes would minimise trauma for complainants.
