Luke Costin
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Australian Associated Press (AAP),
Medium,
MSN Australia,
MSN Ireland,
MSN Singapore,
MSN UK,
Daily Mail,
MSN Malaysia,
The Guardian,
Yahoo News Australia,
Yahoo News Malaysia
and
Covers:
State politics with a federal focus - and everything that flows from that
AAP journalist | Sydney via Melbourne
Articles by Luke Costin
Pleas for help as major convict-built road cracks Original
Small businesses and families of schoolkids are pleading for government assistance as a pivotal highway is set to be closed for months. The 194-year-old convict-built Mitchell's Causeway, a key link in the main highway connecting Sydney to western NSW, will be closed for at least three months for urgent repairs. The Blue Mountains causeway was closed on Sunday, March 8, after significant cracking and movement were detected in the road's substructure.
Cracks in convict bridge severs major route for months
The main highway linking Sydney to western NSW will be closed for months as officials detail troubles with a 194-year-old convict-built causeway. Mitchell's Causeway in the Blue Mountains was closed on Sunday after significant cracking and movement was detected in the road's substructure. Further investigation has revealed that extensive testing and repairs are needed to render the section of the Great Western Highway safe for traffic.
Challenges ahead for popular premier as poll approaches
Farid Farid and Luke Costin Fri 13 March 2026 at 12:14 am UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. When Australia's deadliest terror attack rocked the nation, Premier Chris Minns was front and centre of his state's response.
Australia, Canada can 'set the agenda' on global peace
Middle powers such as Canada and Australia have more influence than many realise, Mark Carney says. Photo: Ayush Kumar/AAP PHOTOS Canada's prime minister wants Australia to help restore international order as he calls for "rapid de-escalation" in the Middle East. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Post-strike petrol hikes 'completely unjustifiable'
Drivers are being smashed unnecessarily at the petrol pump as servos take advantage of the Iran crisis, the nation's largest motoring group says. Regular unleaded was going for 219.9 cents per litre at half of Melbourne petrol stations and at least 217.9c/L in half of Sydney stations on Wednesday afternoon, the NRMA said. The average price in Brisbane (210.2c/L) also far exceeded the price expected for the top of its price cycle.
Middle-power deal with Canada shoots for super returns
More of the retirement savings of 14 million Australians will be invested in Canada under a landmark initiative signed in front of their visiting prime minister. Mark Carney kicked off his four-day Australian tour at an event in Sydney where the two nations' super-sized pension funds agreed to cooperate more closely. Australia's superannuation system is set to eclipse its Canadian counterpart within the next decade.
Croc spotted behind a Bunnings rescued after 30 hours
A young freshwater crocodile has been given a clean bill of health after her adventurous weekend travelling down a suburban creek well south of the tropics. The yet-to-be-named reptile was captured on Sunday night in a delicate operation in Ironbark Creek in Newcastle. First spotted behind Bunnings Wallsend on Saturday afternoon, police called in the manager of nearby Australian Reptile Park.
Human remains found in search for kidnapped grandad
Police investigating the mistaken kidnapping of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian have found human remains. Baghsarian, 85, was kidnapped from his North Ryde property early on February 13 when three men stormed the home and bundled him into an SUV. Police repeatedly told the kidnappers they had taken the wrong person and publicly urged them to release Baghsarian, who relied on daily medication.
Human remains found in search for kidnapped grandad
Human remains have been found by detectives investigating the mistaken kidnapping of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian. Mr Baghsarian, 85, was kidnapped from his North Ryde property early on February 13 when three men stormed the home and bundled him into an SUV. Police repeatedly told the kidnappers they had taken the wrong person and publicly urged them to release the elderly man, who relied on daily medication.
Fears Hanson's 'dog-whistling' could trigger violence
The Muslim community is on high alert after a letter containing death threats was sent to a mosque. Photo: Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS Muslim leaders fear incendiary comments from Pauline Hanson could fuel hatred and inspire violence against their communities. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Major mosque targeted again as Hanson speech link drawn
Police are investigating after another threatening letter was sent to Lakemba Mosque in Sydney. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) Australia's shattered Muslim community is again on high alert after a vile threat letter was sent to Sydney's largest mosque. The third threatening letter sent to Lakemba Mosque in the past month made calls to kill or deport Muslims and referenced Australian convicted terrorist and mass murderer Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslims in Christchurch in 2019.
Major mosque targeted again as Hanson speech link drawn
Australia's shattered Muslim community is again on high alert after a vile threat letter was sent to Sydney's largest mosque. The third threatening letter sent to Lakemba Mosque in the past month made calls to kill or deport Muslims and referenced Australian convicted terrorist and mass murderer Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslims in Christchurch in 2019. Police have started investigating the threat after taking the letter for forensic examination.
Neo-Nazis 'tapping into local anxieties' to radicalise
Anti-racism training for seven-year-olds and a greater emphasis on extremism resilience have been flagged as ways to counter the emboldened far-right. Experts and religious minorities on Wednesday sounded the alarm on the profound risk of extremism as far-right groups tap into economic anxieties to radicalise a wider cohort of Australians.
Road safety rethink urged as deaths in 50km zones surge
Governments are being urged to bolster road safety measures as the number of deaths in local streets rise dramatically. Roads Australia says an urgent review and more federal and state support for councils are needed as the nation veers away from achieving a key road toll target, echoing calls from road safety advocates. After years of steady declines, transport ministers in 2021 set a goal of reducing annual road deaths by 50 per cent by 2030.
Mental health search preceded alleged triple stabbing
The Merrylands stabbing would have been "highly confronting" for passers-by, NSW Police say. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS Authorities lost track of a complex mental health patient before he allegedly stabbed three people in suburban Sydney, killing one. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Road safety rethink urged as deaths in 50km zones surge
Governments are being urged to bolster road safety measures as the number of deaths in local streets rise dramatically. Roads Australia says an urgent review and more federal and state support for councils are needed as the nation veers away from achieving a key road toll target, echoing calls from road safety advocates. After years of steady declines, transport ministers in 2021 set a goal of reducing annual road deaths by 50 per cent by 2030.
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