ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Tue 21 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » 'One-punch laws' to curb Sydney's alcohol-fuelled violence Mandatory eight-year jail sentences are to be introduced for fatal one-punch attacks fuelled by alcohol or drugs as part of a raft of measures to curb alcohol-related violence in Sydney. The so-called "one-punch laws", announced by New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell today, also include Sydney CBD lockouts, a freeze on new liquor licences, and the statewide closure of bottle shops at 10:00pm. The parents of Thomas Kelly, who died after being punched in Kings Cross in 2012, welcomed the tough measures, which they said were necessary to make cultural changes in our society. "It's bittersweet to know that the reform will come in shortly, but it's also still terrible for us as a family," Kelly's father Ralph said. More » Government excludes age pension from welfare spending review Australian Open: Bouchard beats Ivanovic to set up semi-final against Li Na Operation underway to rescue five children stranded in remote Kimberley Graphic photos show evidence of Syrian war crimes, investigators say Australia Post survey suggests charging for daily deliveries Simon Gerrans beats Andre Greipel in sprint finish to stage one of Tour Down Under More Analysis » Neo-prohibition isn't the answer to violent crime Today Barry O'Farrell announced a crackdown on alcohol venues, with mandatory bottleshop closures at 10:00pm, a 1:30am pub lock-out, and no pub service after 3:00am. Let's lay aside whether it is fair to restrict the liberties of all because of the idiocy of a few. It is utterly and despicably perverse that our immediate reaction to a highly publicised violent assault is to blame public policy, or market forces, or "culture" in general. There have always been brutal thugs who take pleasure from violence. The correct - and most direct - response is to target the thugs, not to fiddle with tax policy. More » It's hard to feel dignified in underpaid work At knife's edge: elections and democracy in Thailand Exposed: the treachery of hairy women The ingrown toenail of Australian politics Miscarriage of emotions in abortion debate Unrealised fringe benefits in the housing market Labor reform, one step at a time Tony Abbott's high-stakes expectations game Letting go of the Lord's Prayer in Parliament Just In More Just In » Newman pledges extra $20m to help drought-stricken farmers The Queensland Government announced an extra $20 million for struggling farmers today, as more of the state was declared to be drought-hit. More » Suspended sentence for elderly driver who cannot remember fatal crash Australia Post survey suggests charging for daily deliveries Gerrans wins Tour Down Under first stage Floating World scoops Sydney Theatre Awards More concerns over academics accused of misconduct Bikie's ring not knuckleduster, court rules Bainimarama to quit as head of Fiji's military on Feb 28 Two alleged Brothers For Life gang members charged with murder Bouchard sets up Li Na semi-final showdown World More World » Bainimarama to quit as head of Fiji's military on Feb 28 New Zealand correspondent Dominique Schwartz Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will step down as military commander at the end of next month. More » India minister's wife died from overdose: report Parents of Australian journalist detained in Egypt call for his release Head of security 'burned stuff' day News of the World closed, court hears Hugh Laurie calls for vodka boycott over Putin's gay rights stance Graphic photos show evidence of Syrian war crimes, investigators say Business More Business » Super funds post best returns in 20 years By business reporter Michael Janda A leading industry analyst says super funds had their best returns in 20 calendar years as share markets surged. More » Australia Post survey suggests charging for daily deliveries Shell sells up in WA, Arrow cuts jobs in Qld Mining companies will fight decision to cancel Hunter exploration licences Banks offset mining falls on share market Politics More Politics » Bainimarama to quit as head of Fiji's military on Feb 28 New Zealand correspondent Dominique Schwartz Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will step down as military commander at the end of next month. More » India minister's wife died from overdose: report Government excludes age pension from welfare spending review Use of commercial fishers to kill sharks off Perth beaches abandoned Govt offer to underpaid workers 'a stunt' Sport More Sport » Bouchard sets up Li Na semi-final showdown Canada's Eugenie Bouchard has set up an Australian Open semi-final clash with Li Na after moving past Ana Ivanovic. More » Gerrans wins Tour Down Under first stage Rafter names teen trio for Davis Cup Tuqiri signs one-year deal with Rabbitohs Rogic unveiled by Victory Mitchell Johnson wins Allan Border Medal Science and Technology More Science and Technology » More concerns over academics accused of misconduct A review of 100 papers has raised further concerns about the work of two former University of Queensland researchers accused of fabricating a study into Parkinson's disease. Professor Bruce Murdoch and speech pathologist Caroline Barwood resigned from the state's top university last year after a whistleblower raised concerns about the study. UQ says an investigation has found there was no missing data in further studies published by the two researchers, or any research undertaken without ethical approval. However, the ABC understands concerns have been raised about 11 papers. More » Sunlight can lower blood pressure, researchers say Comet-chasing probe Rosetta wakes up Scientists collect goanna sperm in bid to create gene bank Patient records targeted in ransomware cyber attacks Environment More Environment » Murray-Darling water allocations to be sold back to farmers The Federal Government has announced plans to sell back water allocations to farmers along the Murray-Darling river system. The Commonwealth currently owns almost 1,700 gigalitres of water in the basin, following several years of environmental buy-backs. Parliamentary secretary for the environment Simon Birmingham says the trade of this year's water allocations will have important economic benefits while also maintaining environmental flows. "The core test for the environmental water holder in undertaking these activities is whether it better achieves environmental outcomes, whether it aligns with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which the Coalition is committed to implementing in full and on time," he said. More » Fishermen cautious over WA shark cull amid safety fears, Premier says Scientists collect goanna sperm in bid to create gene bank Dangerous smog in Beijing as index hits top of scale Flying foxes drop dead in extreme heat 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. 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