ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Tue 24 Sep, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Turnbull moves to put Coalition's stamp on NBN By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths An NBN Co commitment to begin connecting around 900,000 premises to high-speed internet access within a year has been put on hold by the Federal Government, pending a strategic review of the network. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Finance Minister Matthias Cormann - as the shareholder ministers in NBN Co - have issued an interim statement of expectations to the company as a first step in putting the Coalition's stamp on the rollout.  Mr Turnbull says the in-house review will take 60 days and begin when a new management team at NBN Co is appointed. He confirmed he asked the company's seven board directors to resign last week, and all but one have done so. However he said the request "should not be regarded as any criticism of any of the directors". More » NSW jail trials phone-jamming technology Kenyan mall victim remembered by Tasmanian community Climate Council will stay independent: Flannery Melissa Ann Waters sentenced to jail after crash which killed a baby Nate Dunbar at Merriwa Man arrested after road scraper joy ride through Canberra Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer left out by coach Holger Osieck for France, Canada friendlies More Analysis » Freedom of speech means freedom to boycott People get very agitated by secondary boycotts. You can understand why. In the age of social media, they can be arbitrary, capricious and poorly thought-through. But, as uncontrollable and impulsive as consumer campaigns can be, it would be entirely illiberal to try to suppress them by force of law, as the Abbott Government has signalled. Consumer boycotts - primary or secondary - are a completely legitimate way to express political views. Free markets aren't just a tool to bring about efficient exchange. They are a dynamic ecosystem of individual preferences about what we want to buy and from whom. More » Calmer political seas are just across the Tasman Asylum seeker policy: we're all mad here Abbott must act before unemployment worsens Fremantle Dockers help Africa rebuild A coming emerging market crisis? The obedience of the faith: The making of George Pell Out with the bold and in with the subdued Australia's ministries of limited talents Labor's failed education revolution Just In More Just In » Turnbull moves to put Coalition's stamp on NBN By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths An NBN Co commitment to begin connecting around 900,000 premises to high-speed internet access within a year has been put on hold by the Federal Government, pending a strategic review of the network. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Finance Minister Matthias Cormann - as the shareholder ministers in NBN Co - have issued an interim statement of expectations to the company as a first step in putting the Coalition's stamp on the rollout.  Mr Turnbull says the in-house review will take 60 days and begin when a new management team at NBN Co is appointed. He confirmed he asked the company's seven board directors to resign last week, and all but one have done so. However he said the request "should not be regarded as any criticism of any of the directors". More » Man arrested after road scraper joy ride through Canberra Advanced British warship docks in Melbourne NSW jail trials phone-jamming technology Drink-driver jailed over crash that killed baby New timetables integrate Sydney buses, ferries and trains Schwarzer out of Socceroos squad for friendlies Cambodian parliament approves new term for Hun Sen Coal activist to stand trial over fake ANZ statement Man at centre of alleged match-fixing refused bail World More World » Cambodian parliament approves new term for Hun Sen Cambodia's parliament has approved a new five-year term for Prime Minister Hun Sen following weeks of political turmoil More » Navy Yard gunman security check did not mention 2004 shooting incident Ex-FBI agent to plead guilty over leak to journalist Accused Boston bomber to learn by January if US will seek death penalty Gorilla named Patrick sent for therapy over sexist attitude US America's Cup comeback continues against Kiwis Business More Business » Union denies wage rises threaten offshore oil and gas industry By resources reporter Sue Lannin The Maritime Union has hit back at the oil and gas industry over concerns high wages are making Australia's liquefied natural gas industry uncompetitive. In a new report, the union has accused employers of playing politics and overstating the impact of rising wages on the viability of shipping companies which supply oil and gas platforms, lay pipes and do underwater exploration. More » Peter Anderson to leave Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Coal activist to stand trial over fake ANZ statement Kathmandu profit rises by 26.7 per cent Apple says new iPhone sales hit 9 million in three days Politics More Politics » Cambodian parliament approves new term for Hun Sen Cambodia's parliament has approved a new five-year term for Prime Minister Hun Sen following weeks of political turmoil More » Ex-FBI agent to plead guilty over leak to journalist Egyptian court bans Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood Scrapped Climate Commission relaunched as community-funded body Turnbull asks NBN Co board to resign Sport More Sport » Veteran Sewell back on track for Hawks Hawthorn veteran Brad Sewell says he never doubted his ability to rebound after his round 17 demotion. More » Leppitsch favoured to take Lions gig Stewart gaining fitness ahead of Rabbitohs clash Bowen signs with Wigan, replaces NZ-bound Tomkins Osieck says calls for his head are unfair England hits back at Lehmann's 'dour' jibe Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Push to save Easter Island statues from destruction By Dominique Schwartz and Greg Wilesmith If you have always been intrigued by the mysterious moai - the giant stone statues of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island - and they are on your must-do list, do not delay. According to two scientists who have spent years studying the statues, they are friable, they are fragile, and they are not going to last forever. More » Teen takes stand against sexualised selfie photos NASA calls off search for lost comet probe Scientists speak out against vandalism of genetically modified rice Biologists warn problems in 'three-parent baby' IVF technology overlooked Environment More Environment » Climate Council will stay independent: Flannery By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Scientist Tim Flannery has officially launched a new climate science organisation, the Climate Council, declaring it will "fiercely guard" its independence. The council has been formed in the wake of the Government's decision last week to axe the taxpayer-funded Climate Commission. The commission was set up in February 2011 under then prime minister Julia Gillard as an independent body "to provide reliable and authoritative" information on climate change. Professor Flannery says the commissioners will continue their work through the new community-funded Climate Council. "We are raising money Obama-style in small donations online from the public, from ordinary Australians - although in my view they are extraordinary Australians," he said. More » Push to save Easter Island statues from destruction Scrapped Climate Commission relaunched as community-funded body Moves to stop environmental boycotts 'attack free speech' Russia to tow Greenpeace ship, detainees to port after raid 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. This email address is not monitored - Please don't reply to this email. Manage your preferences | Unsubscribe | Contact Us   This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. 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