ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Wed 05 Mar, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Abbott tells timber industry too many forests are 'locked up' Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declared that too many of Australia's forests are "locked up" and vowed to set up a new advisory council to support the timber industry. Speaking at a timber industry dinner in Canberra last night, Mr Abbott also recommitted to repealing part of Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area made under the forest peace deal. "We have quite enough national parks. We have quite enough locked up forests already ... we have too much locked up forest," Mr Abbott said. The Greens have condemned Mr Abbott's "massive assault on the environment", labelling him the "dig it up, cut it down Prime Minister". Conservationists have also lashed out at the remarks, saying Mr Abbott's approach could spell a return to the logging war between activists and timber workers. More » Queensland police dig up backyard in search for missing Gold Coast woman Australia's economy beats forecasts, but still just below par Qantas asked for $3 billion, PM says Luke Batty inquest: police tactics, training under examination NRL dismisses Shane Flanagan and Cronulla appeals relating to Sharks supplement scandal Obama accuses Putin of 'meddling' in Ukraine More Analysis » Those scary DSP numbers aren't so scary after all The "record numbers" of Australians receiving disability support sounds alarming, until you stop to consider that our population is also at "record levels". The truth is, changes to the eligibility rules in 2011 look to have tightened the system and suggest that growth of the pension is now just in line with population growth - and its ageing nature. If the Federal Government wants to press ahead with more "reforms", it needs to explain why what was done in 2011 was not enough - and provide more than just nominal "scary numbers". More » Fiji's future far from certain, even with election An Act of foreign ownership trickery Playing hardball won't resolve the Crimean crisis Don't just abandon Qantas to the market Playing hardball won't resolve the Crimean crisis 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 Just In More Just In » Keelty blames 'poor leadership' for WA Senate bungle, warns of corruption By political reporter James Glenday Poor leadership has been blamed for the WA Senate bungle after an investigation by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty. Nearly 1,400 ballot papers went missing during the recount, prompting the Court of Disputed Returns to order a fresh Senate election for the state next month. A report by Mr Keelty has identified significant failures in the handling and storage of the ballots. He has told a federal parliamentary committee that "poor leadership" and "poor culture" were to blame for the "disastrous result". He also said the opportunity for corruption at next month's election could not be ruled out. More » Court fails to stay all porn charges against MP NRL dismisses Flanagan and Sharks appeals Teenage killer gets 23 years in jail China pledges to pursue free trade deal with Australia NSW workers compensation scheme 'skewed towards employers' Stolen tip truck involved in police chase Chinese buyers to invest $44b in Australian real estate: analysts NSW legislation will limit 'defence of provocation' for murder charges Australian Navy vessel rescues 13 off Pakistan coast World More World » China pledges to pursue free trade deal with Australia By China correspondent Stephen McDonell, wires Chinese premier Li Keqiang has pledged to pursue a free trade agreement with Australia as part of his plan to maintain solid growth. More » Russia test-launches 'advanced' ballistic missile UN sanctions experts probe Rodman's North Korea trips National People's Congress to open in Beijing Bainimarama hands over control of Fiji military UK's House of Commons to open doors to Meryl Streep Business More Business » Chinese buyers to invest $44b in Australian real estate: analysts By business reporter Michael Janda Global investment bank Credit Suisse expects Chinese nationals to sink around $44 billion into Australian residential real estate over the next seven years. More » China pledges to pursue free trade deal with Australia Australia's economy beats forecasts, but still just below par Qantas asked for $3 billion, PM says Sydney and Melbourne among world's most expensive cities Mortgage arrears at lowest December level in four years Politics More Politics » Keelty blames 'poor leadership' for WA Senate bungle, warns of corruption By political reporter James Glenday Poor leadership has been blamed for the WA Senate bungle after an investigation by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty. Nearly 1,400 ballot papers went missing during the recount, prompting the Court of Disputed Returns to order a fresh Senate election for the state next month. A report by Mr Keelty has identified significant failures in the handling and storage of the ballots. He has told a federal parliamentary committee that "poor leadership" and "poor culture" were to blame for the "disastrous result". He also said the opportunity for corruption at next month's election could not be ruled out. More » WA shark cull: Decision due on Sea Shepherd legal bid Rudd visits Russia and plans trip to Ukraine Qantas asked for $3 billion, PM says Labor, Greens flag Senate inquiry into Manus violence Sport More Sport » NRL dismisses Flanagan and Sharks appeals The NRL has dismissed appeals lodged by suspended Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and the Sharks. More » Pressure helped me perform: David Warner Jedinak gets nod as Socceroos captain AFL captains condemn media report NRL coaches under pressure in 2014 Wallaby Pocock's scans inconclusive 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 » WA shark cull: Decision due on Sea Shepherd legal bid A judge is due to make a decision later today on a legal bid by marine activists, Sea Shepherd, to halt the controversial WA shark cull. The environmental group is challenging the legality of the State Government's program of setting baited drum lines off beaches in Perth and the South West. Premier Colin Barnett says he is confident the Government followed all procedures and his policy will withstand the challenge. More » Australians cross Bass Strait on paddleboards Barnett warns of repercussions of court action over shark cull Kimberley locals fight Buru's shale fracking plan Scientists revive 30,000-year-old virus 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