Radio presenter Alan Jones is back on the airwave this morning in the face of a public back lash against his lastes attack on the prime minister. Mr.Jones's apology for saying Julia Gillard's father died of shames because of her lies has failed to convince his credits, several major companies have withdrawn advertising and nearly 70,000 people have now signed a online petition calling for Jones to be sacked.

 

The Reserve Bank is under intense pressure to cut interest rates when it meets today, the ACTU says the struggling manufacturing industry needs relief from their higher Australian dollar. The Australian Retailers Association says today's decision could make or break Christmas trading.

 

A study of the Great Barrier Reef has found the half of its coral has been lost in nearly 30 years. The Australian Institute of Maritime Science blames that loss on storm damage, starfish and bleaching.

 

And an official inquiry has begun into the Marikana mine massacre in south Africa. In August, police open fire on demonstrators, killing 34 people and wounding 78. The strike at Marikana has since been resolved after workers got a 22% pay rise.