Insights

Communication Minister Malcolm Turnbull remains sceptical of broadband connection figures released by NBN Co, saying the annual report does not provide a "meaningful indicator of progress".

Festive bookies betting in bloom

The government has accelerated its inquiry into the car manufacturing industry in a last-ditch bid to convince Holden to stay.

Saputo chief executive Lino Saputo has said the Canadian dairy company would have no business without paying farmers a competitive price for milk. He will address Warrnambool Cheese & Butter suppliers' concerns at a series of meetings this week.

Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens says the value of the Australian dollar remains high, and it lacks the support of economic fundamentals at the present level of above US95¢.

The thirst of Japanese companies for Australian food and beverage businesses appears to be unquenchable, with Japan's Kirin taking a 9.9 per cent stake in the much sought after Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory.

More than 3000 jobs will be created as part of the Melbourne Airport expansion, the federal government and the airport say. The new domestic airport terminal will be capable of handling up to 10 million passengers a year. The international terminal is also being upgraded. Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff, pictured, says the airport plans $1 billion in projects over the next two years.

BP's profit slid 34 per cent to $US3.5 billion ($3.67 billion) in the third quarter as the British energy giant's output fell 2.3 per cent and it was also hit by lower refining margins. It said that charges incurred by the group as a result of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster in 2010 currently stood at $US42.5 billion.

NIB's executives have defended the insurer's plans to cash in on medical tourism, which they said would help boost earnings as profit growth in the established domestic market slowed.

Qantas is said to be on the cusp of pouring tens of millions of dollars into Jetstar Japan as it seeks to secure its position in the domestic Japanese market against other newcomers.

UGL intends to play a leading role in any efforts to make the engineering services sector more efficient, as it continues to cut costs and borrowings amid soft trading conditions.

The sharemarket fell nearly half a per cent as investors took profits after recent record highs reached by three of the big four banks.

Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has effectively confirmed Joe Hockey is blowing several hundred million dollars in an attempt to make his performance as Treasurer look good. Never underestimate the vanity of politicians.

Australia's suburbs and regions are the next growth sector for serviced apartments as the weight of offices and workers shifts to city fringes, the Quest group says.

Diversified trust Stockland says there are definite signs the residential sector, in which it operates, has turned the corner, but cautions that the business is trading off a low base.

The number of new leases signed in Sydney and Melbourne in the past few months, including by Telstra and Thiess, has led to a crunch in the availability of office sublease space around the country.