ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Fri 02 May, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Premiers, chief ministers to attend COAG meeting Premiers and chief ministers have gathered for a COAG meeting in Canberra today, less than 24 hours after significant changes to federal funding were flagged in the Commission of Audit report. The audit report made 86 recommendations to rein in the federal budget, including widespread spending cuts to government services and family payments, and handing the states greater responsibility for the health and education systems. The audit report is not on the meeting's agenda, and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is refusing to say which recommendations the Government will act on. More » Authorities took four hours to activate rescue operation Heroin use played role in Peaches Geldof death: inquest NSW and Victoria unite to oppose changes to racial discrimination laws Ukraine reintroduces military conscription Michelangelo's David at risk of collapse Fans, drivers return to Imola to remember Ayrton Senna on 20th anniversary of F1 legend's death Police 'hasty' in shooting of mentally ill man: Coroner Shock over lack of interest in Bowraville triple murder Former MP gives explosive evidence to ICAC over Tinkler More Analysis » Learn from history and heed audit's warning The 86-point hit list outlined by the Commission of Audit yesterday shouldn't be dismissed, even if it does only focus on spending and ignores taxation. Because while we may not be facing a debt problem or be in the throes of a crisis yet, we certainly will have a problem in the decades to come if we don't take remedial action right now. The population of over 65s will balloon, and we squandered the mining boom during the Howard and Rudd years, so it's time to learn from history. More » We need to talk about cybersecurity Invest in child care to reap PPL benefits Russia's 'Holy Soviet empire' in eastern Ukraine Our chance to make sure crime doesn't pay Foreign aid: how do we define 'value for money'? Budget realities overtake rhetoric Phone privacy is sacrosanct - even for racists Paid parental leave without the taxpayer bill Plugging the revenue gap means higher taxes Just In More Just In » Couple extradited from Qld over woman's 'shipping container death' in Tasmania A far north Queensland husband and wife have been extradited to face manslaughter charges over the death of an elderly woman in Tasmania. More » Michelangelo's David at risk of collapse Arrest of Gerry Adams an attempt to undermine peace: McGuinness Premiers, chief ministers to attend COAG meeting Senna remembered on 20th anniversary of his death Tough new sharia law takes effect in Brunei Heroin use played role in Peaches Geldof death: inquest Authorities took four hours to activate rescue operation Napthine faces questions over grant to meatworks Explosion at Florida jail kills 2 inmates, injures more than 100 World More World » Michelangelo's David at risk of collapse Experts in Italy have warned one of the world's most famous statues, Michelangelo's David, is in danger of collapsing because it has weak ankles. More » Arrest of Gerry Adams an attempt to undermine peace: McGuinness Senna remembered on 20th anniversary of his death Tough new sharia law takes effect in Brunei Heroin use played role in Peaches Geldof death: inquest Explosion at Florida jail kills 2 inmates, injures more than 100 Business More Business » Industry assistance and support for exporters in the crosshairs By business reporter Michael Janda Industry assistance and support for exporters and the tourism sector face the axe under proposals from the Commission of Audit, which also recommends Australia Post and the Royal Australian Mint be privatised. The Commission of Audit's proposals to return the budget to a sustainable surplus would leave the business sector with a mix of winners and losers. Most in the business sector acknowledge the need for Commonwealth budget repair while the economy is reasonably robust, and would applaud both of the commission's recommendations that Federal Governments target a 1 per cent of GDP surplus. More » Commission of Audit recommends cradle-to-grave cuts Chris Uhlmann analyses the Commission of Audit report ANZ announces half-year profit of $3.5 billion Relief on the way for home buyers as price growth slows Local stocks suffer losses despite positive lead from Wall St Politics More Politics » Arrest of Gerry Adams an attempt to undermine peace: McGuinness Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, says Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams's arrest is a deliberate attempt by unidentified "dark" forces within the Police Service of Northern Ireland to undermine the peace process. More » Premiers, chief ministers to attend COAG meeting Napthine faces questions over grant to meatworks Doctors, seniors, students brace for budget cuts following audit report NSW and Victoria unite to oppose changes to racial discrimination laws Sport More Sport » Senna remembered on 20th anniversary of his death Fans and drivers returned to Imola to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna. More » Bridge omitted from Wanderers grand final squad Chelsea's Faria banned for six matches after ref row Hurricanes say stopping Folau is unrealistic Williams returns for Magpies, Franklin misses for Swans Super Rugby to expand to 18 teams in 2016 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 » Nyrstar smelter transformation getting SA Government guarantee An agreement on a $385 million transformation of the Port Pirie lead smelter looks to be almost finalised, with operator Nyrstar confirming the South Australian Government will underwrite the project. The current smelter is to be turned into a multi-metal recycling facility and a big environment improvement is expected for the regional city. Belgian owner Nyrstar now has confirmed the redevelopment will go ahead once the funding package with Premier Jay Weatherill is finalised. More » Western quoll returns to Flinders Ranges in SA 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 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