ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

Good afternoon. Here's what's happening now: A leaked internal memo has ordered frontline Centrelink staff working in branches not to process disputes over the Federal Government's debt claw-back scheme. It appears to contradict Human Services Minister Alan Tudge, who yesterday said anyone having problems could see someone in a Centrelink office "in 10 minutes" Robert Xie has been found guilty of murdering five members of his extended family in 2009. The jury came to a majority decision after earlier indicating to the court that it had been unable to reach a unanimous decision A New Zealand father who was missing at sea with his six-year-old daughter on a tiny catamaran for 27 days says he was never in danger and that a broken rudder forced him to sail to Australia A childcare worker has written a Facebook post in response to senator David Leyonhjelm questioning whether the job needs qualifications. She said there is a lot more to it than just "wiping noses". Here's what's coming up tonight: 7:30pm AEDT: The Adelaide 36ers will take on Melbourne United in the NBL 7:40pm AEDT: The Melbourne Renegades take on Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash 7:50pm AEDT: Adelaide United take on Melbourne City in the A-League Top Stories Xie found guilty of murdering five extended family members "I am innocent," Robert Xie claims as a jury finds him guilty in a majority decision of bludgeoning to death five members of his extended family in 2009. Leaked memo tells Centrelink staff not to process debt disputes Centrelink management has ordered frontline staff working in branches not to process disputes over the Federal Government's controversial debt claw-back scheme and instead refer welfare recipients to an online portal. Taxpayers charged $11k for Bishop to attend racing, rugby, polo Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is facing fresh questions over her "official ministerial business" at five events including Derby Day, the Melbourne Cup and the rugby, totalling a cost of $11,006 to taxpayers. The key moments from Donald Trump's press conference US President-elect Donald Trump has held his first press conference since July in New York — here are the key moments from what he had to say. Rod Culleton to fight Senate axing Rod Culleton vows to fight his removal from federal politics, despite the President of the Senate confirming his disqualification. Father says young daughter was never in danger during 27 days on tiny boat A missing New Zealand father and his six-year-old daughter baffle police and evade a child-recovery operation with an incredible journey to Australia on a six-metre catamaran. Tigerair customers faced with spending thousands more after Bali cancellations Tigerair customers faced with having to book unexpected tickets worth thousands of dollars after Bali flights were cancelled accuse competing airlines of using the incident to jack up their prices. Bus involved in fatal Moorooka attack to be destroyed The bus which was torched during an attack that claimed the life of driver Manmeet Alisher will be destroyed, the Brisbane City Council says. Cambodia's water people evicted from city sewer with nowhere to go Even those living on sewers in Cambodia's capital are not safe from eviction, with lakes being filled in for a billion-dollar development and little hope of compensation for the city's poorest. Rolf Harris indecently assaulted blind woman, London court hears A London court hears Australian entertainer Rolf Harris indecently assaulted a blind disabled woman at a British hospital in the 1970s. Search on for stowaway quokka on the loose in Perth A quokka has inadvertently escaped Rottnest Island on a waste barge and is now believed lost in Perth. Bellamy's update worsens board-shareholder stand-off The Bellamy's trading update leaves as many questions open as it answered, with the troubled company again being punished on the share market as a result. Taliban video shows Australian hostage asking Trump to negotiate release The Taliban releases a video showing an Australian hostage asking US President-elect Donald Trump to arrange a prisoner exchange to secure his freedom. Moon likely formed more than 4 billion years ago, scientists say Using samples collected by the Apollo 14 moon mission, scientists estimate the Moon is much older than previously thought and likely formed more than 4 billion years ago. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Confident and combative: Trump returns to lock horns with the press By North America correspondent Conor Duffy China-US trade war the single biggest economic threat to Australia By business reporter David Taylor Centrelink needs to recognise flawed debt recovery system and adjust its tactics By Helen Hodgson, Curtin University James Hird's suspected overdose the latest sad chapter in doping saga By Tracey Holmes Just In Trump sends Aussie dollar soaring with first press conference January 12, 2017 - 4:36 pm Woman finds brown frog in Coles packaged lettuce January 12, 2017 - 3:57 pm Police called after another 'disturbance' at Victorian youth justice facility January 12, 2017 - 3:52 pm World • What Trump's pick for secretary of state thinks on key issues • VW pleads guilty in emissions scandal, agrees to $5.7 billion settlement • East Timor's Government blamed for 'destroying' country's only airline Business • Bellamy's update worsens board-shareholder stand-off • Mortgage and card rates up despite steady Reserve Bank • East Timor's Government blamed for 'destroying' country's only airline Politics • Leaked memo tells Centrelink staff not to process debt disputes • What Trump's pick for secretary of state thinks on key issues • Taxpayers charged $11k for Bishop to attend racing, rugby, polo Sport • Chris Lynn a confirmed starter for first ODI against Pakistan • McCullum suspended for BBL slow over rate against Scorchers • Semi Radradra makes French rugby union move official Science and Tech • Moon likely formed more than 4 billion years ago, scientists say • Why does alcohol make you hungry? Blame biology • 'Doomed duo' galaxies collide in new NASA image Environment • VW pleads guilty in emissions scandal, agrees to $5.7 billion settlement • Cambodia's water people evicted from city sewer with nowhere to go • Sydney's air pollution prompts respiratory warning Follow ABC News 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. 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. 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