ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 09 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Abbott defends 'closed book' asylum approach Prime Minister Tony Abbott is making no apologies for the Government's silence on border protection operations, saying he is happy to cop criticism if it means stopping asylum seeker boats. Labor and the Greens have rounded on the Government for refusing to comment on "operational" matters, amid reports two boats were "pushed" back to Indonesia by the Navy. "I'd rather be criticised a bit for being a bit of a closed book on the issue, and actually stop the boats," Mr Abbott said. His comments came as Defence Force chief David Hurley rejected comments from two men who say they were on board the boats that were turned back, and claim to have been mistreated by the Navy. Meanwhile Indonesian government officials appear at odds over Indonesia's stance on the turn-back policy, with the country's military chief saying he agrees and the foreign and security affairs ministers rejecting the hard-line measure. More » Former US defence chief Gates fell asleep during Rudd 'soliloquy' Cyclone Ian approaching Tonga with 'catastrophic' winds Puppy death prompts calls for tougher penalties Tony Abbott 'appalled' by spate of 'coward punches' Nauru media visa fee hike to 'cover up cruel conditions at detention centre' Norwegians worth a million crowns each after oil saving landmark More Analysis » The environment would pay for 'free trade' Do we really want to create an Australia where we have to pay foreign corporations not to dig up or destroy our coastline or native forests? That could be the reality under the secretive new Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement and its likely Investor State Dispute Settlement clauses. The potential benefits from these clauses to Australians are very limited. Our laws should protect Australians and the places we love - not the profits of foreign multinationals. More » Learning to read is learning how to live The light on the sand dune Post offices are the lifeblood of rural Australia We must recognise racism in order to end it 'My heritage is more important than yours' A lot more is at stake than just whaling The real danger in Cory Bernardi's comments There is no such thing as reform without risks The end of Medicare as we know it Just In More Just In » $200 fine pot luck for federal minister's son The son of Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has been fined $200 for cultivating a cannabis plant. More » 2yo and 6yo girls indecently assaulted in Sydney park Petition launched to take pregnant Texas woman off ventilator Andy Thomas says Australia ideal for space tourism base Suspended jail sentence for Canberra public servant who misused credit card Cyclone Ian approaching Tonga with 'catastrophic' winds Wedge Island murder accused deemed fit to plead Collapsed 180kg man winched from Sydney balcony Canadian authorities confirm first H5N1 bird flu death in North America Former US defence chief Gates fell asleep during Rudd 'soliloquy' World More World » Petition launched to take pregnant Texas woman off ventilator Abortion rights activists have launched a petition to take a pregnant American woman declared brain dead off life support in Texas, as requested by her family. More » Cyclone Ian approaching Tonga with 'catastrophic' winds Canadian authorities confirm first H5N1 bird flu death in North America Norwegians worth a million crowns each after oil saving landmark International Space Station to stay open until 2024: NASA Food processor Danone to sue dairy giant Fonterra Business More Business » Retail sales double expectations, building approvals solid By business reporter Michael Janda Retailers enjoyed a stronger-than-expected rise in sales during November, while building figures remained solid. Official figures showed a 0.7 per cent rise in retail sales, more than double the growth forecast by most economists. Building approval figures dipped slightly on a fall in apartments, but the less volatile detached house sector continued to rise strongly in a sign residential construction is responding to low interest rates. More » Qantas cops second ratings downgrade to junk Liberal MP calls for government help for fruit processor SPC ASX 200 falls in early trade, with banks down and energy stocks up Food processor Danone to sue dairy giant Fonterra Politics More Politics » $200 fine pot luck for federal minister's son The son of Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has been fined $200 for cultivating a cannabis plant. More » Former US defence chief Gates fell asleep during Rudd 'soliloquy' Scullion national alcohol and violence inquiry sandbagged Asylum seekers claim Navy mistreated them in Indonesia boat tow-back Government announces inquiry into alcohol-fuelled violence Sport More Sport » Mowen leaving Australian rugby after 2014 season Wallabies and Brumbies captain Ben Mowen will quit Australian rugby after the 2014 season and move to France. More » Sam Stosur moves into Hobart semi-finals with solid win Mitchell Johnson rested for first ODI Matt Prior and Stuart Broad help rescue a man from a Sydney bridge Evans a confirmed starter for national road race Postecoglou not giving up on World Cup dream Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Great white sharks can live into their 70s, study shows Great white sharks can live into their 70s, more than three times longer than previously thought, US researchers have found. More » Scientists search for 'Trojan females' in pest control research 'Exceptionally rare' conjoined whales found in Mexico Ships stuck in Antarctica freed by thawing ice Research delayed after Aurora Australis helps ice-bound ship Environment More Environment » Great white sharks can live into their 70s, study shows Great white sharks can live into their 70s, more than three times longer than previously thought, US researchers have found. More » Australian on a mission to stamp out 'barbaric' bear bile trade Sea Shepherd drives Japanese whalers from hunting grounds Australia urged to act as Japan begins Southern Ocean whale hunt WA Government standing by shark cull despite protest 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 © 2014 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters