ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 29 Nov, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Pyne drops education 'bombshell' on states Public schools may be the big losers under the Government's plans to scrap Labor's Gonski education package, state and territory ministers say they have been told. Ministers raised the concerns after emerging from a "very heated" meeting with their federal counterpart, Christopher Pyne, in Sydney today. Mr Pyne announced this week the Federal Government would keep Labor's school funding plan in place for 2014 then replace it with a new funding model.  New South Wales Minister Adrian Piccoli says the Commonwealth has plunged education across the country into unnecessary uncertainty.  Tasmanian Minister Nick McKim says it is a "bombshell revelation that will rock the public education system to the core".  More » Rejection of GrainCorp takeover by ADM 'weak', Opposition says Rio Tinto to suspend production at Gove alumina refinery in the Northern Territory, putting jobs in doubt Gang trio sentenced over Sydney meat cleaver murder Warehouse owners lose insurance due to bikie gang neighbours Prominent Albany businessman guilty of attempting to hire hit man Rory McIlroy claims outright Australian Open lead after Adam Scott slips up at Royal Sydney More Analysis » Russia must respect the law of the sea The overnight decision by a Russian court to grant bail to Australian Greenpeace member Colin Russell is a welcome development, but the Arctic Sunrise controversy continues. Russell and his fellow protesters are being barred from leaving Russia, in direct conflict with a recent ruling from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. This saga represents a test for post-Soviet Russia and its compliance with international law, one that can only be passed by completely freeing the protesters involved. More » When ideology trumps journalistic integrity Against the grain: Hockey's big government horror The electorate doesn't have buyer's remorse. Yet. In defence of Defence The Ashes: why Adelaide is different Inequality is a political problem, not an economic one Indonesia never controlled the flow of boats anyway How to make the G20 matter again A wrecking ball won't help you in government Just In More Just In » Borghetti wants government support for Qantas extended to Virgin Virgin Australia boss John Borgetti says any new government support for Qantas should be extended to his airline. More » Japan "prime target" for East China Sea defence Dentist who filed nursing home residents' teeth without consent avoids jail GrainCorp takeover rejection sends mixed messages on foreign investment Warehouse owners lose insurance due to bikie gang neighbours Prominent Albany businessman guilty of attempting to hire hit man Army depot explosion in southern Libya kills scores Missing Sydney teen found alive and well in Victoria Asylum seeker family's fight to stay in Australia resumes Britain set to allow parents to share parental leave World More World » Army depot explosion in southern Libya kills scores More than 40 people have been killed in an explosion at an army depot in southern Libya, officials say. More » Britain set to allow parents to share parental leave Fossilised faeces found to date back 240 million years Worker searches landfill for bitcoin fortune Two charged for alleged match-fixing in England Canada let NSA spy on G20 talks, notes show Business More Business » Rejection of GrainCorp takeover by ADM 'weak', Opposition says The Federal Opposition has labelled the Government's decision to reject the sale of GrainCorp to American agribusiness Archer Daniels Midland as "weak" and "pathetic". Announcing the decision this morning to reject ADM's $3.4 billion bid for the eastern grain handler, Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey said he had to take into account the national interest. "I consider that now is not the right time for a 100 per cent foreign acquisition of this key Australian business," he said, adding that it "could risk undermining public support for the foreign investment regime and ongoing foreign investment more generally". The proposed sale of GrainCorp had represented an early test of unity for the new Coalition Government, being strongly opposed by grower groups, the National Party and some country Liberal MPs in the eastern states. Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen said Mr Hockey had failed his first big credibility test as Treasurer, and suggested he had been "bullied" by his Coalition partners and Cabinet colleagues into rejecting ADM's bid, with profound consequences. More » Rio Tinto to suspend production at Gove alumina refinery Leaked NBN Co document downgrades revenue projections Study finds high-speed rail cheaper than first thought Politics More Politics » Asylum seeker family's fight to stay in Australia resumes By Kim Lyell, staff Lawyers representing an asylum seeker family with a sick newborn say the Commonwealth has begun negotiations about their future. More » Iran invites inspectors to visit nuclear facilities following landmark deal Indonesia's relationship with Australia could take years to mend: MPs WA cattle exporters say business as usual with Indonesia Sri Lanka begins compiling death toll from war Sport More Sport » Siddle ready for Ashes hard slog Australian paceman Peter Siddle is confident he can handle the workload of back-to-back Ashes Tests. More » McIlroy puts pressure on Scott in Australian Open Suns wait on decision over Brown's future Raiders expect Milford to honour 2014 contract Johnson now mentally stronger: McDermott Kangaroos include Slater but Pritchard out for Kiwis Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Department confirms NBN revenue may drop under Coalition plan A federal bureaucrat has confirmed it is likely the National Broadband Network revenue forecasts will have to be revised down under the Coalition's plan. More » Dinosaur skeleton sells at auction for $720k Driving hungover more dangerous than drink driving: study Mawson data 'more important than ever' to new Antarctic expedition Melbourne researchers make leukaemia treatment breakthrough Environment More Environment » Somerset koalas give scientists hope By Courtney Wilson A population of koalas near Somerset in Queensland is giving scientists hope for the survival of the species. More » Clean Energy Finance Corp warns shutdown will hit budget Kiribati man fails to become first climate change refugee Captive-bred Tasmanian devils thriving on island haven Greenpeace questions viability of Indian company to exploit huge coal deposits 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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