ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 15 May, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: Rudd fronts royal commission into home insulation scheme Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has told the royal commission investigating his government's home insulation scheme that he accepts "ultimate responsibility" for the program's failures. Mr Rudd has used his testimony to point out the failures of the public service, which he says did not raise safety warnings. "I've said repeatedly before, I have accepted ultimate responsibility for what was not just bad but in this case a deep tragedy," he said. The former Labor leader has been freed of long-standing Cabinet secrecy rules, after demanding his evidence be aired uncensored. Follow Mr Rudd's evidence via our live blog. More » States organise urgent meeting over $80b cuts package Shorten leaves room to support debt levy ahead of budget reply First home buyers savings scheme axed in federal budget Strike force nets members of organised crime gangs Brother tells of confronting Rolf Harris over abuse claims Video captures family cat saving boy from dog attack Rescue continues as 282 dead in Turkey mine collapse German tourist charged over deadly outback crash Surfer unscathed after massive great white attacks More Analysis » Slashing welfare is a recipe for crime The Abbott Government's first budget is unashamedly designed to deliver social and economic change in Australia. But no thought seems to have gone into the considerable social cost of suddenly pushing people who are already financially and socially marginalised over the edge. Crimes such as theft, low level drug selling, driving without a licence, burglaries, robberies and family violence generally increase when the welfare rolls are slashed. More » Hockey exposes us as fair weather friends A fib too far: the death rattle of political trust Budget hacks away at our core principles This isn't a plan for an ageing Australia Budget time bombs meant lies were inevitable Slashing foreign aid reflects poorly on Australia We're damned by discrimination, not the DSP Abbott's message to mothers: get to work Budget 2014: Defence Renovation Rescue Just In More Just In » More jeans recalled due to hazardous dye By consumer affairs reporter Amy Bainbridge The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has added another brand of jeans to the recall list of products containing a hazardous dye linked to cancer. More » NZ budget forecasts return to surplus Xie trial: Police officer recalls gruesome discovery of woman's body Funding for secular counsellors cut in school chaplaincy program Medicare Locals ponder their future as Budget axes network South Korea indicts four ferry crew members for manslaughter League legend Gasnier mourned at funeral Rudd accepts 'ultimate responsibility' for insulation scheme Liberal staffer's letter falsely accused public servants, ICAC hears Christopher Columbus' shipwreck found, explorer claims World More World » NZ budget forecasts return to surplus By New Zealand correspondent Dominique Schwartz Young families are the winners in New Zealand’s budget which is forecast to return to surplus in the 2014-15 financial year. More » South Korea indicts four ferry crew members for manslaughter Christopher Columbus' shipwreck found, explorer claims Tributes flow for British teenager who made light of cancer State witness in Chris Lane murder trial has date set for committal hearing Ukraine's interim leaders exclude pro-Russia separatists diplomatic talks Business More Business » US investment house bringing shareholder activism to Australia By Ian Verrender First it was hedge funds. Then came private equity. Now, American activist funds have turned their eyes to Australia. More » ASIC's funding cut in shift from financial sector oversight Reserve Bank official urges first home buyer patience First home buyers savings scheme axed in federal budget Metgasco referred to ICAC; Bentley gas drilling suspended Aurizon, Baosteel make takeover bid for miner Aquila GrainCorp profit falls on drought and competition Politics More Politics » NZ budget forecasts return to surplus By New Zealand correspondent Dominique Schwartz Young families are the winners in New Zealand’s budget which is forecast to return to surplus in the 2014-15 financial year. More » Funding for secular counsellors cut in school chaplaincy program States organise urgent meeting over $80b cuts package Shorten leaves room to support debt levy ahead of budget reply Analysis: It's time to ask politicians to make fewer promises Sport More Sport » Titans confused but lifting rule is clear to Griffin The NRL's lifting laws have the Titans bemused, but Broncos coach Anthony Griffin says there should be no confusion. More » WorkCover investigates Essendon over supplements program Scott to replace Tiger atop golf rankings Pearce needs 'to be smarter': Farah Lou Vincent lifts lid on spot fixing: report Thaiday doubtful for Origin opener Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Scientists say budget cuts will be crippling By environment and science reporter Jake Sturmer, Lexi Metherell and Alex McDonald Australia's environment and science sectors have been slashed by hundreds of millions of dollars, with agencies axed and programs scrapped. Scientists say many of the cuts will be crippling. Read more about which projects in the science sector have been affected by the 2014 federal budget. More » Seaweed extracts used to help reproduce human bone, repair tissue 'Star Wars' robotic arm for amputees approved for sale Researchers develop three-dimensional body parts for implant Commission of Audit proposal may restrict business innovation Environment More Environment » Scientists say budget cuts will be crippling By environment and science reporter Jake Sturmer, Lexi Metherell and Alex McDonald Australia's environment and science sectors have been slashed by hundreds of millions of dollars, with agencies axed and programs scrapped. Scientists say many of the cuts will be crippling. Read more about which projects in the science sector have been affected by the 2014 federal budget. More » Fire truck freed from 'sink hole' after 10-hour drama Floating solar power plant aims to cut evaporation Scientists develop new explanation for drying Australia Japan continues whaling in north-west Pacific 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