ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Wed 29 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » ACTU rejects calls for construction industry royal commission By Lexi Metherell, staff The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has accused the Federal Government of going on a political witch-hunt by signalling that a royal commission may be needed to clean-up the construction industry. A joint investigation by the ABC's 7.30 program and Fairfax has found that union officials have formed corrupt relationships with organised crime figures and are recieving kickbacks for construction contracts. Prime Minster Tony Abbott has seized on the allegations to argue for the re-establishment of the Howard-era Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). But ACTU president Ged Kearney says the legal system is well equipped to deal with fraudulent behaviour and there is no need for the ABCC or a royal commission. More » Court to examine validity of WA Senate election Prostitute's witness statement reveals Thomson was 'regular client' People smuggler jailed over deaths of about 100 asylum seekers Phone messages between Bond actor and Sienna Miller were "brilliant" Queen Elizabeth's household finances come under fire Folk singer Pete Seeger dies aged 94 More Analysis » Applaud the athletes, boo the sponsors At any one time when you're watching cricket or tennis, you can see up to a dozen corporate logos, on the walls, the ground, the stands. The players themselves have ads on their chests, heads, arms and feet. Football is worse, with jerseys, particularly in rugby league, now rendered unrecognisable by the blizzard of ads which has hit them. It doesn't have to be like that. Even in an age when "money doesn't talk, it swears", we don't have to swept away in a tsunami of ads. More » The Olympics: a tool for autocrats since 1936 Sober analysis is now found on digital media Official secrecy leaves our Navy exposed Giving a tick to junk food at schools Is another Indonesia faux pas imminent? What politicians can learn from the Oscars A death at sea It's not just the rich who benefit from free markets Drinking is Australian - overdrinking shouldn't be Just In More Just In » India's top court refuses to review gay sex ban India's top court has rejected a plea filed by the government and activist groups to review its ruling that reinstated a colonial-era ban on gay sex. More » Fire destroys luxury yachts at Gold Coast marina Obama to announce minimum wage boost in State of the Union Sydney man shot in 'targeted' overnight attack ACTU rejects calls for construction industry royal commission Teen to face court over stabbing murders of girl and mother Malala book launch halted by provincial government Court to examine validity of WA Senate election Nauru solicitor general says ethics behind resignation Korean Air posts $350m loss for 2013 World More World » India's top court refuses to review gay sex ban India's top court has rejected a plea filed by the government and activist groups to review its ruling that reinstated a colonial-era ban on gay sex. More » Obama to announce minimum wage boost in State of the Union Malala book launch halted by provincial government Korean Air posts $350m loss for 2013 Phone messages between Bond actor and Sienna Miller were "brilliant" New manuals for Japanese teachers on disputed islands Business More Business » Supermarkets shift discount war from fuel to groceries By business reporter Michael Janda The major supermarkets are shifting discounts to groceries after a deal with the competition regulator limited petrol discounting, a leading retail analyst says. Since January 1, Coles and Woolworths have limited shopper docket fuel discounts to a maximum of 4 cents a litre under a deal struck with the ACCC before Christmas. Analysis by the Commonwealth Bank shows the money formerly spent on petrol discounts is now being used for loyalty discounts on groceries. More » Business conditions hit two-and-a-half-year high, confidence steady Abbott pushes for return of construction watchdog following union corruption claims Share market falls on emerging markets jitters Economic outlook shaky, but bank rate cuts possible Politics More Politics » Court to examine validity of WA Senate election By High Court reporter Elizabeth Byrne The fate of the Western Australian Senate election will hang in the balance today when the Court of Disputed Returns sits in Melbourne. The court has been asked by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to find the poll void, so it can mount a rerun. The case comes after the embarrassment to the AEC over the loss of 1,370 ballot papers after last year's September election. More » Nauru solicitor general says ethics behind resignation Mohamed Morsi's jailbreak trial begins Police investigate Australian man's death in Philippines Government to intervene in Toyota workplace dispute Sport More Sport » Dante Exum declares for 2014 NBA Draft Exciting Australian prospect Dante Exum will enter the 2014 NBA Draft after linking with Kobe Bryant's agent. More » Henriques defends Test recall Faulkner to miss South Africa tour with knee injury Switzerland hails Wawrinka, hometown renamed for him More majors and Hall of Fame await Li: Evert Gill ready to stake claim for Wallabies' number seven jersey Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Sunscreen containing nanoparticles is safe to use, research shows By Whitney Fitzsimmons Sunscreen containing nanoparticles is safe to use because the body knows how to identify and breakdown potentially harmful particles, new research has found. The study identified specific white blood cells that attract and breakdown the nanoparticles before they reach the bloodstream. More » Google buys AI company after big robotics, home devices acquisitions Bitcoin dealers charged with money laundering through Silk Road Experts raise concerns over 'screen addiction' Fish with nostrils sheds light on birth of breathing Environment More Environment » Retired racehorses enlisted in fight against South African rhino poachers By Alexandra Fisher in Kruger National Park Former racehorses are being given a new lease of life on the frontline of South Africa's war on rhino poachers. More » 'Cave-dwelling' scientists unlocking secrets of valuable groundwater Twitchers in a flap after croc blocks sewerage 2013 fourth hottest year on record for planet: reports China pollution wafting in large quantities across Pacific to the US: report About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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