Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah has accepted an invitation to appear at the 2027 Adelaide Writers' Week. The Adelaide Festival confirmed the news as it unveiled its next program. In January, the festival board removed her from the 2026 program, citing her past statements, a decision the Festival Corporation later apologised for. The 2027 festival will run from February 25 to March 14 and includes West End play Oedipus and Bela Bartok's opera Bluebeard's Castle.
New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley has defended the state's gun buyback scheme after 150 applications were lodged in its first hours. Bookings opened on Monday, and the government plans to remove up to 274,000 firearms from the community. Catley said fewer guns in circulation would make the community safer, pointing to firearms stolen across the state. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has criticised the scheme, arguing it focuses too heavily on licensed owners rather than illegal guns used by organised criminals.
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.
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A three-metre mirrored sculpture by artist Paul Ewart is installed on the Bondi clifftops as part of Sculpture by the Sea. Titled Both Sides Now, the work uses the ancient Roman god Janus to explore polarisation and the loss of middle ground. Made from nearly 400 mirror-polished steel plates, the 260-kilogram piece has two faces looking in opposite directions. Ewart also holds a solo exhibition at QT Bondi, where he is artist-in-residence. Both Sides Now can be seen until November 2.
Six NSW police stations, including Penrith, will accept surrendered firearms from November 2 under a new national gun buyback scheme. Eligible licence holders will receive compensation at a fixed price schedule. More stations will join in December, and the scheme will run for 12 months. Participants must book through the Gun Safe portal, as walk-in surrenders will not be accepted. Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community would make it safer.
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.
Shoalhaven City Council is asking residents for feedback on a proposal to charge tourists for parking at popular coastal sites. The idea was raised by a council finance committee and includes sites such as Mollymook Beach, Huskisson and Berry's Boongaree Park. Councillors voted to hold community consultation before deciding whether to develop a business case. A local business group supports paid parking if locals are exempt, while a surf club says parking is hard to find during holidays. Details of how the scheme would operate remain limited. An online survey closes at midnight on 4 November.
Sixty hand-polished concrete hearts have been installed at Marks Park, between Bondi and Tamarama beaches in Sydney, as part of Sculptures By The Sea. Each heart represents a woman killed by violence this year. Each is inscribed with phrases that can excuse, minimise or ignore violence, such as Asked for it and Boys will be boys. The work was created by Philippa Lysaght and Omi McCurdie. Lysaght said the aim is to encourage people to speak up when they hear such phrases.
The ABC has sacked a reporter after its ombudsman found two of his stories gave audiences a misleading impression. Mahmood Fazal, a former Four Corners reporter, was dismissed in May 2026 after an investigation into his external work. The ABC initially stood by Fazal in 2024 when allegations emerged that he passed on threats from an organised crime gang to YouTuber Jordan Shanks' producer. Shanks' Bondi home was firebombed in November 2022, with police saying retaliation for his videos was a strong possibility. Fazal denies passing on any threats.
Antonio Muollo, the 27-year-old founder of the Get Sashimi chain, has bought a five-bedroom mansion in Vaucluse for $12.5 million. The home at 36 Derby Street sold on August 5 through Raine and Horne Double Bay. The agents had not named the buyer, but the settlement revealed his identity. Muollo started an online fish delivery business, GetFish, in 2018 at the age of 19. The home has views of the harbour, Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline from both levels.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says social media platforms should have a responsibility to remove death and rape threats. His comments follow an attack on independent MP Helen Haines, after which parliamentarians of all parties shared details of threats they had received. Several said they would support stronger security around electorate offices. Albanese pointed to Labor's proposed digital duty of care, but admitted the government had not achieved what it wanted. He said the government would listen to security agencies and work with parliament to keep people safe, calling the level of threats completely unacceptable.
Former Israeli hostage Daniella Gilboa has sent a message of support to people affected by the Bondi Beach terror attack. She said she felt a connection with survivors and victims' families after visiting the temporary menorah memorial at Archer Park. Ms Gilboa, who was held for 477 days before her release in January 2025, is in Australia to perform at the SHIR Australian Jewish Music Festival. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is due to deliver its final report on December 18, four days after the anniversary of the attack.
An alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta has shocked a nation where politics is usually peaceful. The motive behind the attack is not yet known. Politicians of different views have condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the political temperature to be turned down. The piece traces a history of political violence in Australia, from early colonial clashes to the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing, and argues that sober reflection from everyone involved in public life is needed.
The Victorian government has pledged to ban smart glasses across every school in the state, including at sports carnivals and excursions. The ban would apply to public, independent and Catholic schools from the start of the 2027 school year. In public schools, it would also cover staff, parents and volunteers on school grounds and at off-campus events. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gabrielle Williams said the rules aim to help students focus on learning and keep school environments respectful and safe.
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An internal review of Seven West Media, conducted by consultancy Interchange and completed in July 2024, has not been made public. It was commissioned after Federal Court claims by former producer Taylor Auerbach, who said the network reimbursed Bruce Lehrmann for drugs and sex workers; Mr Auerbach acknowledged he had never seen an invoice, and Seven denied the claims. Staff described a workplace marked by sexism, bullying and harassment, and said executives close to former chairman Kerry Stokes were shielded. Interviewees also spoke of ratings pressure and calls from the chairman.
Reports of antisemitic incidents in Canberra doubled over the last financial year, ACT Policing data shows. ACT Policing received 73 reports, up from 37 the previous year, including displays, graffiti, posters, stickers and comments. Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said each report was assessed and actioned. Overall police attendances fell 7 per cent to 48,192 incidents, while family violence-related assaults made up 43 per cent of assaults. Police complaints fell to 61 from 107.
An alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta has shocked a nation where politics is usually peaceful. The motive behind the attack is not yet known. Politicians of different views have condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the political temperature to be turned down. The piece traces a history of political violence in Australia, from early colonial clashes to the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing, and argues that sober reflection from everyone involved in public life is needed.
Sydney Festival has released its 2027 program, which runs from 7 to 25 January. Highlights include a free late-night dance party at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, cars converted into hot tubs and plunge pools, and a new show from comedian Hannah Gadsby. The festival will also stage the world premiere of THE LINE by LBIJERRI Theatre Company. Up to 10,000 tickets across the ticketed program will cost $49 or less. Festival Director Kris Nelson said the aim is to make great seats accessible to everyone.
Artists Philippa Lysaght and Omi McCurdie have created Sweethearts, an artwork on display at Marks Park between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. It features 56 concrete sweetheart lolly sculptures, each carrying one of 20 phrases often used to excuse or shift blame for domestic violence. The hearts represent women killed by a current or former partner this year. The pair say they want people to speak up when they hear such excuses. Profits from sales of the artworks will be donated to Women's Community Shelters.
