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NewsMail Morning Edition Thu 01 Aug, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Smokers slugged in Government's plan to raise $5.3 billion By political reporter Simon Cullen The Federal Government is set to raise more than $5 billion over the next few years by increasing the tax on cigarettes. Under the plan to be announced today, tobacco excise will rise by 12.5 per cent each year over the next four years, starting on December 1. By 2016, it will mean a packet of 20 cigarettes will have gone up more than $5. Treasurer Chris Bowen says the tax increase makes sense as it will help deter young people from taking up smoking as well as provide revenue for the budget. More » James Hird drove Essendon's controversial supplements regimen, Dean Robinson alleges Egypt calls police to move on protesters First asylum seekers subject to PNG arrangement sent to Manus Island Pressure mounts for charges to be laid against Obeid, Macdonald Dean to be sentenced over nursing home fire More Analysis » What's really driving our panic over asylum seekers? Conventional progressive shorthand sees the political obsession with asylum seekers as a dog whistle to race politics. But to pass asylum politics off as disguised racism is both flattering to the foetid little rump of true Australian racists and an underestimation of the issue's broader impact: as both a proxy for all manner of uncertainties and policy failures and as a distraction from them. The boat debate can be taken at face value but it also speaks to ill-defined unease in the electorate and goes some way to absolving government of responsibility for the policies that might address them. More » ICAC question number one: will anybody go to jail? Privatisation of schools is not a 'real solution' Why Kimberley gas might burn Barnett again Blasphemy or zealotry: Reza Aslan vs Fox News Manning verdict keeps US power in check Executive performance pay ready for a shake-up Australia's absurd interest rates debate Federal control creeping into our councils Politicians are powerless over Australia's economy Just In More Just In » Soldiers escape suspension over Facebook comments Allyson Horn The Australian Defence Force says no soldiers from Townsville in north Queensland will be suspended over derogatory comments about Townsville women posted on several social media sites including Facebook. More » Snowden reveals online tracking system used by US Worker tied to chair and shop set alight Murray searched for missing swimmer Rihanna wins case over Topshop t-shirt rip-off Millions cast vote in Zimbabwean presidential election Thai king to leave hospital for first time in four years First asylum seekers subject to PNG arrangement sent to Manus Island Fraudsters fake Ferraris in Spain Egypt calls police to move on protesters World More World » Snowden reveals online tracking system used by US New revelations from former security contractor Edward Snowden that US intelligence agencies have access to a vast online tracking tool have come to light, as lawmakers put secret surveillance programs under greater scrutiny. More » Rihanna wins case over Topshop t-shirt rip-off Millions cast vote in Zimbabwean presidential election Thai king to leave hospital for first time in four years Fraudsters fake Ferraris in Spain Egypt calls police to move on protesters Business More Business » Business Council wants audit on how taxpayer money is spent By business editor Peter Ryan, staff The Business Council of Australia has released an economic action plan urging government to comprehensively audit how taxpayer money is prioritised and spent. The 93 recommendations include reforms to taxation, workplace relations, regulation and federal-state relations. "We believe that it is time to review the whole of government in terms of its expenditure, the value we get out of it and, more importantly, what we can afford," BCA president Tony Shepherd told the ABC's AM program. More » Foreign firms flock to China despite business risks Market nears two-month high but dollar drops Bowen pledges five-year superannuation policy freeze BHP Billiton cancels sale of Gregory Crinum mine Politics More Politics » Smokers slugged in Government's plan to raise $5.3 billion By political reporter Simon Cullen The Federal Government is set to raise more than $5 billion over the next few years by increasing the tax on cigarettes. Under the plan to be announced today, tobacco excise will rise by 12.5 per cent each year over the next four years, starting on December 1. By 2016, it will mean a packet of 20 cigarettes will have gone up more than $5. Treasurer Chris Bowen says the tax increase makes sense as it will help deter young people from taking up smoking as well as provide revenue for the budget. More » Bowen pledges five-year superannuation policy freeze Election uncertainty casts cloud over Australia's UN Security Council plans Rudd flags tobacco tax increase Butler to check emails over abuse case Sport More Sport » Hird piloted Bombers' supplements scandal: Robinson Dean Robinson alleges Essendon coach James Hird drove the club's controversial supplements regime in 2011. More » Clarke confident of Ashes series fight-back Magnussen advances to 100m free final NRL flags cap review to keep stars Pietersen set to play in third Ashes Test Arthur, Cricket Australia reach settlement Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Australia's largest super computer unveiled in Canberra The nation's most powerful computer has been unveiled at the Australian National University in Canberra. More » Chattanooga steams ahead as America's first Gig City DNA breakthrough might crack illegal drugs fight Sex research pioneer Virginia Johnson dies Scientists demand research to pursue food bowl plan Environment More Environment » Microbeads used in beauty products found in Great Lakes Tiny plastic beads commonly found in beauty products are showing up in North America's Great Lakes, sparking concerns for the health of the world's largest surface freshwater system. More » Mine in Tasmania's Tarkine approved by Environment Minister Sailors, workers fight to clean up 'massive' Thai oil spill Halliburton to plead guilty to Gulf spill charges China will spend $300 billion tackling pollution About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. This message was sent to you at starnewsposting@gmail.com Please add newslists@your.abc.net.au to your email address book to see images by default and stop the email being treated as spam. 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