ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Wed 06 Nov, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Barnaby Joyce won't repay expenses for attending NRL games By Eliza Borrello Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says he will not repay thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money he spent going to rugby league matches last year. The ABC has calculated Mr Joyce claimed $5,312.57 for flights, travel allowance and government car costs to attend State of Origin II in Sydney on June 13, 2012, and NRL finals matches on September 14 and 30 later that year. His expense claims say he was on official business, and Mr Joyce today said the NRL wanted to talk to him about several issues, including drugs in sport. The Government is under pressure to alter the guidelines after questions were raised about the expense claims of several MPs from both sides of politics. More » Mystery woman found wandering in Dublin reportedly Australian Hockey says Government will dump cap on self-education expenses Simon Gittany re-enacts moment fiancee Lisa Harnum fell to her death Native title fishing rights upheld by High Court Melbourne Cup: Gai Waterhouse and Mikel Delzangles face possible ban over treatments World's greatest maps on show at National Library in Canberra More Analysis » The end of entitlements doesn't apply to the rich Last year, Treasurer Joe Hockey gave a speech in which he argued entitlement spending must be wound back in order to return the budget to a more sustainable footing. Given his strong words, and the demographic tsunami facing Australia, one would have thought the superannuation system would have been high on his list for reform. But rather than cutting the generous tax breaks for around 16,000 wealthier Australians, he has instead chosen to scrap tax concessions for 3.6 million workers on lower incomes. More » The confused assault on smoking rights rolls on Legitimate charges, illegitimate trial: Morsi in the dock Prices want to fall but borrowers won't let them Waterhouse's Cup runneth over. And over. The vibe of being open for business goes only so far Belonging and sacrifice in Tim Winton's Eyrie So much for our closer relationship with Indonesia Never trust the 'diary' of a political spinner Whatever you think of unions, this isn't fair Just In More Just In » Navy probes ship's company over claims of bad behaviour The Defence Force is investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour by some members of a ship's company. More » Deadly blasts outside China provincial Communist Party office World's greatest maps on show in Canberra Bloggers tap in to growing online advertising spend ICAC focus returns to Eddie Obeid's family farm Democrat de Blasio wins New York mayor's race Sentence for shooting death of stepson increased CBA shares touch all-time high on more bumper profits NSW Premier's Spelling Bee creates a buzz Mosley flags new fight with Mundine World More World » Deadly blasts outside China provincial Communist Party office Chinese police say one person has died after a series of explosions outside a provincial office of the ruling Communist Party. More » Democrat de Blasio wins New York mayor's race Berlin summons British ambassador to discuss spying allegations Murdoch reporters told police about missing girl's phone messages US stocks close flat as mixed data troubles traders Tiger Woods stops traffic to hit balls from Asia to Europe Business More Business » Hockey says Government will dump cap on self-education expenses By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths, staff Treasurer Joe Hockey says the Government will ditch or change tax measures proposed by the previous Labor government at a cost of $3.1 billion to the budget, including a contentious cap on self-education expenses. The Government has set itself a December 1 deadline to resolve uncertainty over dozens of tax and superannuation policies dating back to 2001. Of 92 announced but unlegislated proposals, Mr Hockey says the Government will keep 18, amend three and dump seven. The remaining 64 will be the subject of consultation about whether to cancel or keep them, "with a disposition not to proceed". As previously announced, the Coalition is dropping Labor's proposed fringe benefits tax changes for the car industry. More » CBA shares touch all-time high on more bumper profits Pregnancy overtakes disability as the top source of discrimination complaints No big savings from repeal of carbon tax, group warns ASIC warns real estate agents on SMSF US stocks close flat as mixed data troubles traders Caterpillar suppliers tackle looming freight burden Holden closure could cost SA economy $1.24b Politics More Politics » Deadly blasts outside China provincial Communist Party office Chinese police say one person has died after a series of explosions outside a provincial office of the ruling Communist Party. More » Barnaby Joyce won't repay expenses for attending NRL games Joyce defends claiming travel expenses for attending State of Origin Hockey says Government will dump cap on self-education expenses Julie Bishop to return to Indonesia to face more spying questions Sport More Sport » Looking back: Schwarzer's club and international career By James Maasdorp Grandstand looks back at Mark Schwarzer's career after the Socceroos legend retired from international football. More » Postecoglou lauds Schwarzer, names Socceroos squad Scans confirm low-grade strain for Shane Watson England's Root set for Ashes demotion Mosley flags new fight with Mundine Gai faces possible ban for Tres Blue treatment Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Antarctic scientists discover ancient ice core By Tamara Glumac Scientists believe they have found the world's oldest ice core, which will provide information on future climate change. More » India's mission to Mars blasts off Journal corrects paper by NSW academic facing misconduct probe Australian websites hacked in protest at spy claims Rare solar eclipse sweeps across America, Europe and Africa Environment More Environment » Antarctic scientists discover ancient ice core By Tamara Glumac Scientists believe they have found the world's oldest ice core, which will provide information on future climate change. More » No big savings from repeal of carbon tax, group warns RSPCA backs cull of feral horses in WA Rare solar eclipse sweeps across America, Europe and Africa Scientists look to Arctic Ocean as Greenland Sea heats up 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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