ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Tue 08 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Abbott denies taking taxpayers for a ride over Pollie Pedal expenses By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended charging taxpayers for his travel expenses to participate in sporting events and lead the Pollie Pedal charity bike ride. Mr Abbott and some of his frontbenchers have recently repaid travel claims they made to attend the weddings of politicians and media figures. Department of Finance documents also show Mr Abbott claimed $1,290 in expenses to compete in an ironman event in Port Macquarie in 2011. "I believe that all of my claims have been within entitlement," said Mr Abbott, pictured with wife Margie at last night's APEC summit gala dinner in Bali. Quizzed about claiming travel expenses during his annual Pollie Pedal rides, Mr Abbott described the bike trips as "a very intense engagement with the community". More » CUA customers report money missing from accounts after online banking overhaul Diver attacked by shark near Esperance Killer jailed for life for Gold Coast policeman's murder Motoring Enthusiasts branch banned from contacting Senator-elect Muir Man jailed for brutal murder of Chinese student Liang Zhao Supermarket explosion in Sydney's west leaves 10 injured More Analysis » Politician expense claims deserve closer legal scrutiny Former speaker Peter Slipper and the thousands of Australians who are prosecuted for social security fraud each year have every reason to be upset about the way in which the criminal justice system is dealing with politicians. It is not being suggested that any MP who has claimed expenses to undertake overseas "study" or to attend the nuptials of a fellow MP has committed a criminal offence under the Commonwealth Criminal Code. However surely there is enough evidence for the AFP to at least make some inquiries into whether or not in any of these cases warrants a further and more thorough investigation. More » Accountability goes missing in Iraq bank note scandal To claim or not to claim: unfair outrage over expenses Why Abbott should dump Free Trade Agreements Power plays over the Syria war Kickstarting government can send the wrong message Where does the madness of quotas end? Coding crisis: getting tech skills taught in schools Australia's new navy quickly became theirs again Cricket just isn't the same without the ABC Just In More Just In » Figures show 'explosive' growth in mobile phone data downloads New figures show a big increase in mobile phone data downloads, with Australians downloading 20,000 terabytes of data in the three months to June this year. That is a 43 per cent jump from the previous period of October to December 2012, the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. More » Giant free-trade deal to link Asia-Pacific CUA customers say money missing from accounts AFL approves Swans' offer to Franklin Obama adds weight to push for Redskins name change Drive to recycle roadkill into fertiliser Diver attacked by shark on WA's south-east coast Abbott apologises to Malaysia for swap deal criticism Iranians mock Israeli PM for comments on jeans, music NSW predicted to profit from economic boom World More World » Obama adds weight to push for Redskins name change By Ben Knight and wires Battle lines are drawn over the name of Washington's beloved American football team, the Redskins, with a small group of Native Americans taking on the sporting giant. More » Iranians mock Israeli PM for comments on jeans, music More than 700,000 people mourn influential rabbi in Jerusalem Rare diamond fetches record $31.8 million at Hong Kong auction US military interrogates Libyan Al Qaeda suspect No Sonny Bill in NZ World Cup squad Business More Business » Rinehart trial delayed until tomorrow By court reporter Jamelle Wells and staff A court hearing is adjourned until tomorrow after the announcement that a new head of the Rinehart family trust is close to being appointed. More » CUA customers say money missing from accounts Medibank Private expected to be sold in first term of Abbott Government Industry superannuation funds prepare to fight proposed changes to board structure WCB board backs a takeover bid by Canadian company Saputo Free trade talks on Abbott's plate at APEC Politics More Politics » Giant free-trade deal to link Asia-Pacific By Katie Cassidy, wires The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a free-trade agreement being negotiated by 12 nations and if endorsed, will be the largest trade deal in the world. More » Abbott denies taking taxpayers for a ride over Pollie Pedal expenses Vic branch of AMEP 'banned' from contacting Senator-elect Ricky Muir Free trade talks on Abbott's plate at APEC Murray's critically endangered listing worries irrigators Sport More Sport » AFL approves Swans' offer to Franklin The AFL has approved Sydney's massive nine-year offer for Hawthorn star Lance Franklin. More » Gallop tips football to dominate Australian sporting landscape Meninga wants Walters for Maroons' succession plan No Sonny Bill in NZ World Cup squad Brown to play on for Lions Warner given suspended sentence for grade no-show Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Figures show 'explosive' growth in mobile phone data downloads New figures show a big increase in mobile phone data downloads, with Australians downloading 20,000 terabytes of data in the three months to June this year. That is a 43 per cent jump from the previous period of October to December 2012, the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. More » CUA customers say money missing from accounts WildCat robot could be running into battle soon Solar cars launch from Darwin for World Solar Challenge Roman skulls found under London may be from Boudicca's revolt Environment More Environment » Families want answers on Arctic 30's detention By Hayden Cooper, staff The families of 30 Greenpeace activists accused of piracy are calling for answers as their loved ones remain locked in a Russian prison. More » Solar cars launch from Darwin for World Solar Challenge Climate Council reaches $1 million funding target Australian detained by KGB calls on Abbott to help Greenpeace activist Divers to inspect yacht wreck 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. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 © 2013 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters