ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 27 Feb, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: Joyce defends Qantas job cuts Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has defended the airline's decision to axe the equivalent of 5,000 full-time jobs. The struggling airline this morning reported a half-year loss of $252 million, before tax, in line with the earnings guidance it gave in December. The airline also outlined $2 billion worth of savings including cutting capital expenditure by $1 billion and significant changes to fleet plans and networks. The job cuts equate to 15 per cent of the Qantas workforce. Unions say Qantas staff are bearing the brunt of poor management. Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he grieves with Qantas workers, and has told Parliament he was confident the company was doing what it would to secure the airline's future. Follow our live blog as the day's developments unfold. More » Daniel Morcombe murder trial jurors hear confession Court grants appeal in Peter Slipper sex harassment case Government senator warns parental leave scheme too costly Manus Island riots sparked by resettlement anger: PNG police report 'Abhorrent' attack on police checking train tickets at Bankstown in Sydney's south-west British soldier Lee Rigby's killers jailed for life More Analysis » Duopoly shouldn't be a four-letter word Is the ACCC suing Coles and Woolworths for not engaging in a price fix? It certainly looks that way. Last year, Coles and Woolworths undertook that they would stop competing on their petrol discounts. It was a price fix, officially sanctioned. But now the ACCC accuses them of breaking this deal. This, you must admit, is fairly curious. Most of these undertakings involve companies promising not to collude and fix prices; with this one it's the opposite. More » Lowering emissions costs less than you might think Where is the alternative to Manus Island cruelty? We want Qantas to still call Australia home High farce and high seas stump Conroy Why are Australian farms too important to fail? Internet piracy talks must include us - the consumers Talk about suicide, but please, get it right Forget tradition, we need transparency Britain's EU battle to impact Australia Just In More Just In » Abbott indicates doubts exist over Qantas debt guarantee By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Prime Minister Tony Abbott has given his strongest indication yet that he wants to steer clear of giving Qantas a debt guarantee, saying it poses "difficulty" for the Government. The national carrier has announced that it will cut 5,000 jobs in the next three years after posting a $235 million half-year loss. The airline's chief executive Alan Joyce also announced a cost saving target of $2 billion through significant changes to fleet plans and routes, and a reduction in capital expenditure of $1 billion over the next two financial years. It is understood Qantas has asked the Government for a debt guarantee similar to the assistance the Labor government gave the big banks during the global financial crisis. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the Government's inaction was creating more uncertainty in the sector. More » Government senator warns parental leave scheme too costly Hey Dad! star naked in house with girls, court hears Capex fall points to looming mining investment cliff Court grants appeal in Peter Slipper sex harassment case Man pleads not guilty to taking baby during carjacking Did the SA economy go backwards last year? Murder accused denies obsession with ex-lover Manus Island riots sparked by resettlement anger: PNG police report Daniel Morcombe murder trial jurors hear confession World More World » Air New Zealand posts 40 per cent profit rise as Qantas flounders By business reporter Michael Janda and staff Air New Zealand has posted a record first-half net profit of $NZ140 million ($130 million), up 40 per cent on the same period a year earlier. More » Texas judge rules gay marriage ban against constitution Chelsea get away goal in 1-1 draw with Galatasaray British soldier Lee Rigby's killers jailed for life Putin orders Russian military drill amid Ukraine tensions Indian navy chief D.K Joshi resigns after Mumbai submarine accident Business More Business » Qantas to slash 5,000 jobs, posts $235m half-year loss By business reporter Michael Janda Qantas has posted a $235 million half-year loss and announced that 5,000 jobs will go. More » Air New Zealand posts 40 per cent profit rise as Qantas flounders The Government says it will look closely at Qantas's result before granting assistance Capex fall points to looming mining investment cliff Workplaces need 'policy steer' to reduce carbon emissions, expert says ASIC still considering Gay proceeds of crime action Politics More Politics » Abbott indicates doubts exist over Qantas debt guarantee By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Prime Minister Tony Abbott has given his strongest indication yet that he wants to steer clear of giving Qantas a debt guarantee, saying it poses "difficulty" for the Government. The national carrier has announced that it will cut 5,000 jobs in the next three years after posting a $235 million half-year loss. The airline's chief executive Alan Joyce also announced a cost saving target of $2 billion through significant changes to fleet plans and routes, and a reduction in capital expenditure of $1 billion over the next two financial years. It is understood Qantas has asked the Government for a debt guarantee similar to the assistance the Labor government gave the big banks during the global financial crisis. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the Government's inaction was creating more uncertainty in the sector. More » Did the SA economy go backwards last year? Manus Island riots sparked by resettlement anger: PNG police report Bill Shorten apologises in Parliament over coward comment Food lobby group 'raised concerns' on day ratings website pulled Sport More Sport » Australia wins team pursuit gold Australia has won gold in the men's team pursuit at the world track cycling championships in Colombia. More » Club could lose points for flouting concussion laws Evans praises crowd for 'dobbing in' spectator Watson must bowl in training to make third Test Reds happy to pile pressure on Waratahs Warner tampering claim will motivate us: Proteas coach Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Archaeologists recreate Roman gladiator school A team of archaeologists say they have discovered the almost complete remains of a Roman gladiator school in Austria and virtually recreated the site. More » Qld scientists hope to turn China's red bayberry into Aussie favourite Researchers use sensors to develop new car crash avoidance systems NBN Co to launch trial of alternative broadband network Canberra is nation's hot spot for broadband access Environment More Environment » China smog drives face-masks out of stock China's biggest online face-mask sellers were running out of stock as consumers rushed to protect themselves from smog that has shrouded large swathes of northern China for a week. More » Morwell residents consider class action as mine fire burns Beijing smog prompts WHO to declare crisis No reliable link between wind farms and health problems, NHMRC says Barrier Reef board members cleared of conflict of interest About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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