ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Wed 16 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Liberal MP claimed entitlements for Cairns 'electorate business' By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Western Australian MP Don Randall has claimed more than $5,000 in travel entitlements to go to Cairns on "electorate business". The Liberal MP claimed the cost of a one night stay in the far north Queensland city for himself and his wife, as well as two airfares from Perth each worth $2,388.20. A week after the November 18 trip, Mr Randall updated his register of members interests to declare that he had bought an investment property in Cairns. It is the latest in a string of revelations involving both Coalition and Labor MPs making questionable claims. Some have been repaid. More » Driver now critical after Qld Raceway crash at Willowbank 'Hush money' paid after teacher used student log-in to access porn Protester denies punching Shaw during Parliament scuffle Kangaroo surprises passengers in Melbourne Airport terminal Credit rating at risk as US debt deadline looms AFL changes its anti-doping code after survey reveals extent of supplement use amongst clubs More Analysis » Queensland's 'war' on bikie gangs goes too far The Queensland Government yesterday introduced new laws as part of its 'war' on bikie gangs that might make even Russian president and renowned authoritarian Vladimir Putin blush. Under the Orwellian-named Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill, if you are associated with a bikie gang and commit a crime in relation to that organisation, you will be declared a "vicious lawless associate" and have at least 15 years mandatory imprisonment added to your sentence. With a rubber stamp parliament and a supine media being facts of life in the sunshine state, the only force that stands against these proposed laws is the legal profession.  More » Gender pay inequality is still holding Australia back The prize for worst music awards goes to... No easy revenue raisers up the Coalition's sleeve Subsidising the car industry to death Is Gravity the perfect space film for our godless times? It's about muckraking, not kingmaking There is no safe level of lead exposure Will misogyny debate haunt Plibersek's political rise? Is Australia becoming comfortable with inequality? Just In More Just In » Q&A: The US debt ceiling explained This week the United States is expected to reach its debt limit of $US16.699 trillion. The debt limit, sometimes referred to as the debt ceiling, has been increased by the US Congress 10 times since 2001. In some cases the country came within a day or two of default. This time it's going right down to the wire. ABC Fact Check answers your questions on the matter. More » Man charged with sexually assaulting Illawarra teen Kangaroo surprises passengers in Melbourne Airport terminal At least 13 dead as typhoon grazes Japan Wife of murdered man tells court of hostilities 11 tips on life at Parliament House for new MPs Brothers of gang rapist Mohammed Sanoussi in court Release crackdown planned on SA sex offenders Liberal MP claimed entitlements for Cairns 'electorate business' Protester denies punching Shaw during Parliament scuffle World More World » Q&A: The US debt ceiling explained This week the United States is expected to reach its debt limit of $US16.699 trillion. The debt limit, sometimes referred to as the debt ceiling, has been increased by the US Congress 10 times since 2001. In some cases the country came within a day or two of default. This time it's going right down to the wire. ABC Fact Check answers your questions on the matter. More » At least 13 dead as typhoon grazes Japan Rare giant oarfish found off Californian coast New McCann appeal generates big response Fatwa allows starving Syrians to eat dogs, cats NZ's Eleanor Catton is youngest Booker Prize winner Business More Business » Credit rating at risk as US debt deadline looms US House Republicans have failed to produce a plan to raise the country's debt ceiling and now have just one day to come up with a deal to stop the government running out of money. If no deal is struck by Friday (Australian time) the government will reach its borrowing limit, potentially causing the US financial sector to freeze up, threatening the global economy. The impasse has caused ratings agency Fitch to put the US on a negative watch, warning that it may lose its top-grade AAA credit rating. "Although Fitch continues to believe that the debt ceiling will be raised soon, the political brinkmanship and reduced financing flexibility could increase the risk of a US default," the firm said in a statement. More » ASX chief executive warns of dramatic consequences of a US default Twitter to trade on the New York Stock Exchange Businesses may have to keep paying carbon tax if repeal fails Global markets fall amid renewed doubts about a US debt deal Jobs go as McCain closure hits potato growers Politics More Politics » 11 tips on life at Parliament House for new MPs By reporters in the ABC's Parliament House bureau Eleven tips from the ABC's Parliament House bureau that should keep freshman MPs out of trouble. More » Release crackdown planned on SA sex offenders Liberal MP claimed entitlements for Cairns 'electorate business' 'Hush money' paid after teacher used student log-in to access porn SA independent forms alliance with Katter Sport More Sport » Eels opt for Arthur as coach Parramatta has appointed Brad Arthur as its first grade coach, ending speculation Jason Taylor was a certainty for the job. More » AFL changes anti-doping code after supplements survey Australia stops the rot with win over Canada Hewitt, Tomic beaten in first-round action Lowy declares FFA wants Australian coach only Favourite Hawkspur draws wide for Caulfield Cup Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Rare giant oarfish found off Californian coast The carcass of a giant eel-like oarfish is discovered by a snorkeller off the Californian coast. More » Rare mosquito fossil shows insect's blood-filled belly German wallaby makes first public appearance Earth-like planet detected in space graveyard Toilet breaks a factor in 3,000km solar car challenge Environment More Environment » Businesses may have to keep paying carbon tax if repeal fails Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has refused to say if businesses will continue to pay the carbon tax after June next year if the repeal bills have not passed. The Government's draft legislation says the carbon tax will not continue beyond June next year. But Mr Hunt, who will today start consulting business and environment groups about the legislation, told AM the repeal bills need to pass for the tax to be scrapped. "The tax ends on June 30, 2014, the moment that legislation is passed," he said. More » CSIRO creates technology to predict bushfire behaviour Abbott urges Labor to 'repent' as carbon tax laws unveiled Interactive: Explore the World Solar Challenge-winning car Toilet breaks a factor in 3,000km solar car challenge 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 © 2013 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters