ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Tue 29 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » ALP boss slams 'gothic horror' Labor government By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths ALP boss George Wright has likened the former government to a gothic horror story, and called on Labor MPs to address the culture of infighting in caucus and "get on with it". The party's national secretary gave the dressing down while delivering his post-election assessment of the federal election campaign at Canberra's National Press Club. "Labor's history of infighting in office left us unworthy of re-election in the minds of too many voters," he said. He said the "weight of disunity" became "too heavy" for either Julia Gillard or Kevin Rudd to carry. "Gothic horror was a favourite subject of mine at university, so as you can tell I'm perfectly qualified to have managed the Labor Party over the last three years," he added. More » Duo reveal miraculous survival tale after ditching ultralight into Bass Strait Three-year-old boy dies after dog attack at Mackay home Sydney double shooting victim a cousin of notorious prisoner Bassam Hamzy Abbott visits Tarin Kot, says Australia's longest war is ending Couple trapped in NZ snow cave die after rescuers hampered by weather Pyne won't rule out privatising HECS debt More Analysis » Voting is futile but that doesn't mean elections are Fluffy movie-star Marxism aside, Russell Brand is right. Voting is one of the most futile ways to engage in politics. Because any single vote will not change an election outcome, you have to convince a very large number that your cause is so important they should make an expressive, personal, "irrational" stand at the ballot box. Many people who complain that the "system" is rigged are in truth complaining that most other citizens don't agree with them. More » The sad irony in the hounding of Jay Z Fracking scare campaigns threaten our prosperity You can't fine an ice user out of their addiction Big Sugar is having its tobacco moment WikiLeaks' rotten twist of fate An unusual thing Ending our pragmatic complicity in West Papua What will a Commission of Audit achieve? Not much. Walk on the wild side: the art and life of Lou Reed Just In More Just In » Three-year-old boy dies after dog attack at Mackay home A boy has died of his injuries after being badly mauled by a dog in north Queensland at the weekend, police have confirmed. More » Mike Kelly withdraws from Senate race Australian residents believed linked to UK man charged over US hacking Murder trial told Tanilla died of 'blunt trauma' Australia's newest dairy cooperative goes to market Former BBC driver charged with child sexual offences found dead Macadamia nut-sized hail hits NSW mid north coast Fewer teen mothers, but older mums on the rise ALP boss slams 'gothic horror' Labor government No criminal charges over synthetic drug death World More World » Former BBC driver charged with child sexual offences found dead A former BBC driver accused of abusing a 12-year-old boy in the 1980s has been found dead after failing to turn up at court. More » Al Shabaab militants killed in US drone strike Couple trapped in NZ snow cave die after rescuers hampered by weather Girl found living in car boot in France White House sees need for 'constraints' on NSA spying Olympics will be 'comfortable' for gay athletes: Putin Business More Business » ANZ posts fourth straight record profit ANZ has posted its fourth straight year of record profits and raised its full-year payout to share holders. The third-biggest lender in the country recorded an 11 per cent increase in statutory profit to $6.3 billion. More » ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft wants tougher penalties for white collar criminals Government maintains NBN ban on Huawei Australian dollar drops as Glenn Stevens predicts currency will continue to lose value Fashion designer Collette Dinnigan to shut down business after 24 years Politics More Politics » Second refugee rejected by ASIO attempts suicide in detention Another refugee being held in indefinite detention at a Melbourne immigration facility has attempted suicide. The 36-year-old man, who is one of a group of up to 50 mostly Sri Lankan Tamils, has been held in immigration detention for more than four years. Despite being found to be genuine refugees, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has deemed them to be a security risk. He is the second man in the group to attempt suicide in the past fortnight. More » White House sees need for 'constraints' on NSA spying Abbott visits Tarin Kot, says Australia's longest war is ending Spain summons US ambassador over NSA spy claims Pyne won't rule out privatising HECS debt Sport More Sport » Clarke happy with Ashes preparation Australia captain Michael Clarke has no problem with Australia's Ashes preparation. More » Burgess to escape with one-match ban for high shot Heart lose Kisnorbo, Kewell in doubt Zoustar sets Flemington alight ahead of Coolmore Lehmann deploying Ashes mind games: Broad O'Connor set to sign with UK rugby club Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Australian residents believed linked to UK man charged over US hacking By Europe correspondent Mary Gearin, wires Two Australian residents are thought to be involved in allegedly hacking highly sensitive US government computer systems, including those run by the military, to steal confidential data and disrupt operations. More » Woodchip giant stripped of environmental certification over koala deaths Scientist recognised for developing rotavirus vaccine IBM quietly slashing Australian jobs Coral more resilient than first thought: scientists Environment More Environment » Woodchip giant stripped of environmental certification over koala deaths By Greg Hoy Australia's largest exporter of eucalyptus woodchips has been stripped of its environmental certification and has been forced to make a public apology over the harm it has caused to koalas. More » Climate Council links bushfires to climate change Hunt defends Abbott's climate change comments More exploration permits granted for Bight Coral more resilient than first thought: scientists About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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