ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Thu 09 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Indonesian military chief discussed boat turnbacks with ADF commander Indonesian government officials appear at odds over Indonesia's stance on Australia's policy of turning back asylum seeker boats, with the country's military chief saying he agrees while the foreign and security affairs ministers reject the hard-line measure. The chief of Indonesia's National Armed Forces, General Moeldoko, has told the Jakarta Post that he spoke with Australian Defence Force chief David Hurley about asylum seeker boats allegedly forced back into Indonesian waters by the Navy and that he understands Australia's policy. "Following [our] halted military cooperation with Australia, the country's Defence Force chief called me to discuss several issues, including how to deal with the boat people," General Moeldoko told the paper. "I have agreed. Therefore, we don't need to feel offended." However a spokesman for the office of Indonesia's Coordinating Legal and Security Affairs Minister said: "As far as I know, we have no such agreement", adding that no "deal" has been done between the two countries' militaries. More » Al Qaeda-linked group ISIS driven out of Syria's Aleppo, rights group says Boy, four, found drowned in lake after leaving family home Bali police delay return of Queensland pair's bodies Teenager's rape case that divided American town to be reviewed Dennis Rodman sings Happy Birthday to North Korea's Kim Jong-un Obama 'can't stand Karzai', lacks faith in Afghan war strategy: former US defence secretary More Analysis » Post offices are the lifeblood of rural Australia Post offices fulfil a social service as well as a commercial one, particularly in rural and regional areas. They stand stoically in townships decimated by floods, plagues and financial ruin, like chimneys rising from the ashes of homes destroyed by fire. Instead of looking to carve off what should be, in our vast nation, a monopoly provider, the Government should focus on helping post offices to survive, by paying them the right amount to handle a changing mix of mail items, and diversifying their services. More » 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 The triumph of Michael Clarke's Improbables The legacy of war: Iraq tears itself apart Confessions of a Facebook addict Just In More Just In » Dennis Rodman sings Happy Birthday to Kim Jong-un Former US basketball star Dennis Rodman led an auditorium of North Koreans in singing Happy Birthday to their leader during a controversial visit to Pyongyang. 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More » Al Qaeda-linked group ISIS driven out of Syria's Aleppo, rights group says Families flee Fallujah as army prepares assault Morsi trial postponed due to weather: officials Neither skis nor speed factors in Schumacher accident FIFA yet to decide on moving 2022 Qatar World Cup to European winter Business More Business » Liberal MP calls for Qantas Sale Act changes to allow foreign control By Lucy Carter A Liberal backbencher says the Qantas Sale Act must be changed to allow majority foreign ownership. Dan Tehan was recently appointed the convenor of the Coalition's influential Friends of Tourism group, and says the 49 per cent foreign ownership cap is a straight jacket restraining the company's growth. However, the Opposition's Anthony Albanese warns that removing the restrictions could cause the airline to be split up, possibly at the expense of regional services. More » Residential construction booms while mining construction falls Online retailers continue to post double-digit sales growth China to allow private banks this year Deadline looming for Warrnambool dairy takeover offer JP Morgan Chase to pay over $2 billion to settle Bernie Madoff case Politics More Politics » Asylum seekers claim Navy mistreated them in Indonesia boat tow-back By Peter Lloyd and staff Two men who claim they were on asylum seeker boats towed back to Indonesia by the Australian Navy have told the ABC they were mistreated before being abandoned at sea. Yusuf is one of two men who have described their experiences the day after revelations the Navy has recently "pushed" two boats back to Indonesia. The Sudanese asylum seeker says his boat was found off the coast of Darwin, and claims the Navy used force during the intercept, with some people restrained. Yusuf says during the five-day tow back, asylum seekers were told they were being taken to Christmas Island, denied their satellite and navigation tools, and given just one meal a day. Yusuf claims the Navy abandoned the group in the middle of the night in rough seas off Rote Island, where they were later found by Indonesian officials. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has released a statement saying the Government will not comment on "operational" matters for security reasons. More » Government announces inquiry into alcohol-fuelled violence Labor blasts 'Stalinist' silence over asylum lifeboat scheme reports Indonesia says second asylum boat forced back Gay Brisbane man given temporary halt on deportation Sport More Sport » Federer tips top form months away Roger Federer says he expects to hit form around March or April but has not ruled out success at the Australian Open. 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