ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Mon 04 Nov, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » AEC confirms WA Senate election result, apologises over 1,375 lost ballots By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths, staff The Australian Electoral Commissioner has declared the results of Western Australia's Senate election, despite admitting that it misplaced over 1,375 misplaced ballot papers. WA's Electoral Officer Peter Kramer announced the recount results today, giving the final two Senate spots to the Greens and the Australian Sports Party, instead of the Palmer United Party and the ALP. The AEC has conceded that the ballot has left a "nagging and almost irreconcilable doubt" in the minds of voters, with Commissioner Ed Killesteyn telling Radio National Breakfast: "The gravity of this situation is not lost on me." However, he says the commission was legally obliged to officially declare the results of the ballot. Greens Senator Scott Ludlum, who initially lost his seat, says he knows the result will be challenged in the High Court. "Just to be clear I know that this result will be disputed in the court of disputed returns and I think that is appropriate," he said. More » Online threats against Qld Premier Campbell Newman made by 'gutless cowards' Rudd considered staying on as Labor leader: Hawker diaries Lisa Harnum screamed 'God help me' before balcony fall, Simon Gittany murder trial told Winner's Melbourne Cup on show as thousands line the CBD for a glimpse of their heroes Olympic kayaker Nathan Baggaley in court over drugs charges $1b Nazi artwork haul found in Munich house raid: report More Analysis » Our political ignorance won't stay blissful forever It is now clear that the underlying principle of the Abbott Government is to be ignorance: not only are the masses to be kept as far as possible in the dark, but the Government itself does not want to know. After all, what use could politicians possibly have for independent and impartial analyses of animal welfare or climate change when designing policy? The problem is, us voters may be ignorant but we are becoming increasingly less blissful about it. And if what we don't know isn't hurting us yet, it is just storing up hurt for the future. More » Student debt should be tweaked, not sold When ministers operate on a wink and a nudge Missing votes and the preference lotto Sunlight isn't always the best disinfectant Inside the absurd world of breakfast TV School reforms come not a moment too soon Why not spy on the Germans? The job isn't done yet in Afghanistan Bill Shorten's climate change dilemma Just In More Just In » 'Preference whisperer' in demand as fresh WA Senate poll likely By Louise Yaxley, staff The man who helped arrange the preference deals for micro-parties in the federal election is already fielding calls as expectations grow that there will be a new poll for the West Australian Senate. More » Policeman who filmed himself having sex sentenced to community service Landslides kill nine in PNG's Eastern Highlands Olympian Baggaley in court over drugs charges Snowden feels vindicated as world debates spying Bushfire-affected HSC students get uni offers Contempt charge possible against 'distracting' juror NSW Government windfall from electricity industry Sydney priest guilty of eight child sex offences Former Socceroo Elrich facing court on gun and drugs charges World More World » Landslides kill nine in PNG's Eastern Highlands By Papua New Guinea correspondent Liam Fox Landslides in Papua New Guinea's rugged highlands region have killed at least nine people and cut the country's most important highway. More » Snowden feels vindicated as world debates spying Restrictions, frustrations and reading between the lines: China 40 years ago Israel to construct 1,700 new homes in West Bank Rare solar eclipse sweeps across America, Europe and Africa India's youth facing obesity crisis Business More Business » Westpac annual profit increases by 14 per cent to $6.8 billion By business reporter Pat McGrath Westpac has credited a fall in bad loans and a rise in income across its Australian and international businesses for a 14 per cent increase in annual profit. Australia's second-biggest bank recorded net earnings of $6.8 billion for the 12 months to the end of September. More » Nine releases prospectus, sets date for share market listing House prices lift, retail trade picks up ANZ expects dollar to stay high until US winds down stimulus Instagram displays first ads as owner Facebook looks to increase revenue Politics More Politics » 'Preference whisperer' in demand as fresh WA Senate poll likely By Louise Yaxley, staff The man who helped arrange the preference deals for micro-parties in the federal election is already fielding calls as expectations grow that there will be a new poll for the West Australian Senate. More » Rudd considered staying on as Labor leader: Hawker diaries Study finds car industry subsidies worthwhile Israel to construct 1,700 new homes in West Bank AEC confirms WA Senate election result, apologises over 1,375 lost ballots Sport More Sport » Melbourne Cup field, colours and comment View all the Melbourne Cup runners, colours and their chances ahead of Tuesday's big race. More » Warne launches attack on Ponting Watson plays down hamstring injury Williams asks Dunlop to withdraw 'boss' remarks Everton, Tottenham share spoils Tomahawks cause World Cup boilover Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Rare solar eclipse sweeps across America, Europe and Africa By Europe correspondent Philip Williams, wires Millions of people on four continents have been able to witness a rare solar eclipse, allowing a view of the Sun that is totally or partially blocked by the Moon. More » E-health rollout has not met expectations: doctors US aviation authority ends ban on use of electronic devices during flight Winning photos give stunning window into microscopic world 'Digital divide' looming because of NBN fibre delays Environment More Environment » Rare solar eclipse sweeps across America, Europe and Africa By Europe correspondent Philip Williams, wires Millions of people on four continents have been able to witness a rare solar eclipse, allowing a view of the Sun that is totally or partially blocked by the Moon. More » Scientists look to Arctic Ocean as Greenland Sea heats up Sea Shepherd captain expects Australian government support Russia, China blamed for failure of plan to create Antarctic marine reserves Murray River's 'threatened' listing may be overturned About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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