ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Wed 30 Apr, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Tony Abbott drops paid parental leave income threshold to $100,000 By political correspondent Emma Griffiths Tony Abbott says he regrets the decision to pare back his paid parental leave scheme, blaming it on a "budget emergency" created by the former Labor government. The Prime Minister has decided to drop the threshold for his wage replacement scheme from $150,000 to $100,000. The backdown comes as Mr Abbott also considers a tax hike to help pay off debt, despite promising there would be no new taxes under the Coalition. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says both decisions amount to broken promises. More » Ian Ross dies of pancreatic cancer Botched lethal injection leaves man alive for 40 minutes MH370 aerial search officially ends Couple charged over death of elderly woman housed in shipping container John Faulkner will not seek another parliamentary term Man sets himself on fire, hugs Indian politician during television debate ICAC: Publican asked to explain payment to 'slush fund' Gillon McLachlan named as new AFL chief LA Clippers owner banned for life for racist remarks More Analysis » Coalition gets a taste of its own medicine Tony Abbott would do well to take his own advice as his Government's first budget approaches: don't think about what's in it for you. Because the message from the people is that if he expects to share the pain around, then the Federal Government is set for its own healthy dose. The Coalition is trying to sell a 'strong medicine' message, but this week's Essential Report shows voters aren't convinced about the treatment plan. More » Singles sidelined by budget, but it's not all bad Review: the Forgotten Rebels of Eureka Fight for a socialised healthcare system We should fear slow growth, not inequality No case for changing race laws Australia must strive for strategic independence Lessons learnt from the killing fields When concentration camps and democracy clash Meat the hidden culprit of climate change Just In More Just In » Earlier warnings about South Korean ferry ignored A probe into South Korea's ferry disaster has heard that warnings over the ship's seaworthiness were ignored, prosecutors said, as rescuers worked to recover more than 90 people still missing two weeks after it sank. The confirmed death toll from the accident stood at 210, with 92 unaccounted for, the coastguard said, with divers pushing deeper into the submerged vessel's interior in their search for bodies. The recovery operation has stalled in recent days because of strong currents and debris blocking access to some of the cabin decks. More » Star Wars Episode VII cast announced Holman announces Socceroos retirement MH370 aerial search officially ends Government beating up budget crisis to sell desired cuts: economist John Faulkner will not seek another parliamentary term Teenager who copied Grand Theft Auto jailed for drunken robbery Botched lethal injection leaves man alive for 40 minutes Getaway driver in McGurk murder sentenced to jail Ombudsman accused of 64 dishonesty offences World More World » Earlier warnings about South Korean ferry ignored A probe into South Korea's ferry disaster has heard that warnings over the ship's seaworthiness were ignored, prosecutors said, as rescuers worked to recover more than 90 people still missing two weeks after it sank. The confirmed death toll from the accident stood at 210, with 92 unaccounted for, the coastguard said, with divers pushing deeper into the submerged vessel's interior in their search for bodies. The recovery operation has stalled in recent days because of strong currents and debris blocking access to some of the cabin decks. More » Star Wars Episode VII cast announced Botched lethal injection leaves man alive for 40 minutes Man on fire hugs politician on Indian TV Twitter shares slump after hours on poor results Real hammers Bayern to reach Champions League final Business More Business » Government beating up budget crisis to sell desired cuts: economist By business editor Peter Ryan A senior academic economist says the Federal Government is beating up the budget crisis to sell unnecessary cuts. More » Woolworths sales growth outpaces Coles, but shares dumped Most Wesfarmers retail struggling to emulate Bunnings momentum Optus to shed 350 staff in major restructure Fresh Australian milk to be shipped direct to China Shares fall as financial sector slides Politics More Politics » Government beating up budget crisis to sell desired cuts: economist By business editor Peter Ryan A senior academic economist says the Federal Government is beating up the budget crisis to sell unnecessary cuts. More » John Faulkner will not seek another parliamentary term Pub owner grilled over payment to alleged Liberal slush fund Same-sex adoption push backed by SA petition Clive Palmer claims another defection to PUP from CLP Sport More Sport » Gillon McLachlan named AFL's next chief executive Gillon McLachlan will take over from Andrew Demetriou as the AFL's chief executive on June 5. More » NBA bans Clippers owner Sterling for life Holman announces Socceroos retirement Kangaroos eye world-record winning streak Brisbane Roar at full strength for grand final Michael Cheika handed suspended six-month ban Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Scientists look to past to beat antibiotic resistance By Simon Lauder Australian scientists are looking to the past as they work to beat the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance. Researchers at Monash University are not developing a new class of antibiotics, instead hoping to make an old one, Polymyxin, easier and safer to use. More » Chemo researchers 'discover immune cells on/off switch' Gene test could boost breast cancer survival rate US scientists discover 'Earth-like' planet Kepler-186f High-tech tool to reveal Milky Way origins Environment More Environment » Western quoll returns to Flinders Ranges in SA By Kerry Staight After more than a century the western quoll is back in South Australia's Flinders Ranges in a trial involving the native marsupial's relocation from Western Australia. More » Government releases climate change policy white paper National Water Commission under threat from budget cuts People who don't engage climate deniers 'ignorant and medieval': Brandis US city ditches drinking water over urination scare 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. 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