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NewsMail Afternoon Edition Tue 04 Mar, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Move to lift Qantas restrictions sparks political row By political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Government's push to remove restrictions on Qantas has fired up a heated political row, but received a lukewarm response from the airline itself. Last night, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the Government wants to repeal Part 3 of the Qantas Sale Act - a major section that restricts foreign ownership and stipulates that much of the airline's facilities and staff be based in Australia. The move is unlikely to pass the Senate, and that political reality has been noted by Qantas, which has called on the Government to consider alternative options. Within the Coalition, it seems the political tactics are already being questioned, with Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss asked by a colleague: "What is plan B?" More » Man admits texting photos of friends performing sex acts on unconscious female partygoer Driver who failed to wear his glasses avoids jail over pedestrian's death 'We saw them go in with machetes': Manus Island guard contradicts report Liberal MP defends single parents after Bernardi speech Navy patrol boats docked in Darwin after large cracks found Federal Government to make overseas adoptions easier More Analysis » Don't just abandon Qantas to the market As Qantas flounders, Tony Abbott will attempt to score political points over the carbon tax and union control, blaming the obstructers in the Senate for any job losses to come. But polling shows that the Government's course of allowing increased foreign ownership is the least preferred option; even full re-nationalisation of the airline is more popular. Voters simply don't buy that the market - as represented in this case by Alan Joyce - knows best. More » Qantas ball now in Labor's court Qantas: level playing field or political football? Preserving the last remnants of Russian empire On climate, these guys know their stuff The battle for legal legitimacy in Crimea Demetriou was a great leader, but ... Russia will get Crimea (but the West still wins) Hockey's unexpected success at the G20 Parties prepare arsenal for jobs war Just In More Just In » Falling dollar, rising prices should help drought-hit farmers: report By rural and regional correspondent Pete Lewis A falling dollar and rising global prices should help soften the blow of severe drought on Australian agricultural production over the next year, according to a new report. More » All Is Lost director on Robert Redford and making a wordless film NSW Police Commissioner Scipione to stay on in top job Python makes a meal of a possum WA Treasurer Buswell on leave for health reasons Reserve Bank leaves interest rates unchanged at 2.5pc Alleged victim of Robert Hughes breaks down in court Nationals MP ordered to appear at firearms hearing Building approvals show low rates boosting residential construction CCTV footage released in search for Perth musician's attacker World More World » All Is Lost director on Robert Redford and making a wordless film By Monique Ross Imagine shooting a movie with just one actor, barely a handful of words and no land scenes. More » Michelle Obama to make first China visit Graeme Smith: One of the understated greats Scientists revive 30,000-year-old virus Safe haven assets rise, stocks fall on Ukraine tensions Russia denies report ultimatum issued to Ukrainian forces in Crimea Business More Business » Reserve Bank leaves interest rates unchanged at 2.5pc By business reporter Michael Janda The Reserve Bank has left interest rates on hold at 2.5 per cent for the seventh month in a row. More » Building approvals show low rates boosting residential construction Move to lift Qantas restrictions sparks political row ACCC blocks sale of largest power generator in NSW Drought takes its toll on the soil Gender equity measures failing working women, says Diversity Council Politics More Politics » WA Treasurer Buswell on leave for health reasons West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has confirmed Treasurer Troy Buswell has taken personal leave for health reasons. Mr Buswell has been on leave since last week, although the Government had declined to comment on the reasons for his absence until now. It comes at a critical time for the Government, with budget preparations underway. More » Move to lift Qantas restrictions sparks political row Liberal MP defends single parents after Bernardi speech What impact would changes to the Qantas Sale Act have? ACCC blocks sale of largest power generator in NSW Sport More Sport » Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket South Africa captain Graeme Smith will retire from international cricket at the end of the current Test in Cape Town. More » Scott close to overtaking Tiger Hoffman to start at five-eighth for Broncos Harris, Johnson strike for Australia on day three Pocock fears another serious knee injury 2014 NRL season preview Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Scientists revive 30,000-year-old virus French scientists say they have revived a giant but harmless virus that had been locked in the Siberian permafrost for more than 30,000 years. More » From driving a bus to funding high-risk cancer research: Col's story AFP reveals use of drones to solve major crimes Archaeologists recreate Roman gladiator school Qld scientists hope to turn China's red bayberry into Aussie favourite Environment More Environment » Scientists revive 30,000-year-old virus French scientists say they have revived a giant but harmless virus that had been locked in the Siberian permafrost for more than 30,000 years. More » Climate extremes increasing as carbon dioxide levels rise: report Sea Shepherd claim whaler threw spear at activists during clash Barrier Reef Authority was against dredge spoil dumping, documents show Contentious oil project to be considered under new system 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