ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Wed 14 May, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: Reaction to Abbott Government's first budget The Coalition Government is continuing with the job of selling its first budget this morning, after revealing plans to tighten the belts of most Australians with tax hikes, tighter welfare rules, new GP fees, and cuts to health and education spending. Treasurer Joe Hockey has characterised it as a "contribute and build" budget designed to bring about deep changes â€" the "structural reform" he says the Coalition was elected to do. But key budget measures, including the introduction of a fee to see the doctor, and cuts to welfare payments, have sparked an angry reaction from the Opposition and from lobby groups. Join us for live coverage of the budget reaction throughout the day. More » Abbott Government faces months of Senate wrangling Winners and losers Planets must align for Tony Abbott to reconcile tale of two deficits Clive Palmer confirms opposition to GP co-payments Older Australian entitlements cut in Hockey budget ABC, SBS funding cut, Australia Network contract cancelled Family Tax Benefit cuts worth billions to hit families Alleged Rolf Harris victim accused of fabricating abuse 17 dead, hundreds trapped as Turkey coalmine collapses More Analysis » Why couldn't they just be straight with us? From an economist's viewpoint, the general thrust of last night's federal Budget was entirely justifiable if the nation's finances are to be put on a sustainable path. But the faux justification and the laughable spin that led to last night's show only adds to disenchantment within the electorate about the cynicism that now pervades federal politics. Where once were statesmen and orators, we now have inarticulate spin doctors. Why could there not have been a cool and rationed argument outlining the need for long-term budgetary repair? More » When are budget twiddles broken promises? Budget pessimism: cynical ploy or good planning? Deficit of credibility for tough love budget The big and very public business of politics Selling the Mint: the new faces of Aussie currency Beware the Border Force fetish Banning donations would stifle democracy Don't follow the Fairfax model on job cuts Faith and politics and ... economics? Just In More Just In » Nigeria ready to negotiate with Boko Haram for schoolgirls' release Nigeria's government has signalled willingness to negotiate with Islamist militants holding more than 200 schoolgirls. More » Nauru opposition MPs suspended for speaking to ABC Clive Palmer confirms opposition to GP co-payments Man charged over Gold Coast stand-off Alleged Harris victim fabricating abuse to cover up affair: defence Analysis: Abbott and Hockey walking fine line on broken promises 17 dead, hundreds trapped as Turkey coalmine collapses Live: Reaction to Abbott Government's first budget Business welcomes budget, but accountants argue Hockey’s job only half done Aid groups vent anger over budget cuts to foreign aid spending World More World » Nigeria ready to negotiate with Boko Haram for schoolgirls' release Nigeria's government has signalled willingness to negotiate with Islamist militants holding more than 200 schoolgirls. More » Nauru opposition MPs suspended for speaking to ABC 17 dead, hundreds trapped as Turkey coalmine collapses Israel's Ehud Olmert sentenced to six years in jail Alien artist HR Giger dies aged 74: report Hotel probes leak of Beyonce's sister, Jay-Z fight video Business More Business » Corporate welfare slashed, but company tax cut left out of budget By business reporter Michael Janda The Abbott Government is dramatically reducing corporate assistance, but its planned company tax cut and parental leave scheme have been left out of the budget. The Government's planned company tax cut, paid parental leave scheme and the proposed 1.5 per cent levy on big business to fund the leave scheme have been left in the contingency reserve, rather than costed individually in detail in the budget. But in line with the spirit of recommendations by the Commission of Audit, although perhaps not as severe as the commission's recommendations, Treasurer Joe Hockey has announced steep cuts to a range of industry assistance. More » Budget pessimism: cynical ploy or good planning? Business welcomes budget, but accountants argue Hockey’s job only half done Hockey tightens nation's belts in 'contribute and build' budget Port Hedland tugboat workers' strike could cost millions: BHP warns Pace of house price rises starting to slow: ABS Stocks enjoy gains as investors shrug off budget worries Politics More Politics » Clive Palmer confirms opposition to GP co-payments MP Clive Palmer says his Palmer United Party will "definitely" oppose the Government's proposed introduction of fees to see a GP. More » Analysis: Abbott and Hockey walking fine line on broken promises Live: Reaction to Abbott Government's first budget Business welcomes budget, but accountants argue Hockey’s job only half done Aid groups vent anger over budget cuts to foreign aid spending Sport More Sport » Wright bolts into World Cup squad Preston North End defender Bailey Wright has emerged as a bolter in Australia's preliminary 30-man World Cup squad. More » Pearce fined, stood down for one game Giants player charged with assault Barty earns French Open wildcard Sporting bodies told to brace for 'tsunami of corruption' Tinkler's horses removed from Thompson stables Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Seaweed extracts used to help reproduce human bone, repair tissue By Sean Murphy Australian researchers have successfully used seaweed to help regenerate bone and damaged human tissue in medical trials which could lead to new treatments for serious diseases such as cancer and schizophrenia. More » '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 Nutrition levels will drop as carbon dioxide rises: study Environment More Environment » Fire truck freed from 'sink hole' after 10-hour drama By Lucy Carter Emergency services have freed a fire truck that was caught in a hole for 10 hours and teetering on the edge of a cliff in Bilgola on Sydney's northern beaches. The fire crew was responding to reports of flooding due to a burst water main about 4:00am when the vehicle hit what they thought was a pothole on The Serpentine Road. The burst main also caused flooding and a minor landslip that filled houses at the bottom of the embankment with mud and silt. More » Floating solar power plant aims to cut evaporation Scientists develop new explanation for drying Australia Japan continues whaling in north-west Pacific 10 countries with the world's dirtiest air 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