Insights

Bega boss Barry Irvin had a simple message to deliver as he hit the road to visit Warrnambool Cheese and Butter shareholders on Tuesday night.

Rural services company Ruralco's profit has plunged almost 60 per cent as it struggles with hot and dry weather conditions, lower livestock prices and costs relating to its bid for rival Elders.

The government's financing arm has taken a key step towards establishing a market to support long-term borrowing by infrastructure projects, issuing the longest-dated bond ever.

Macquarie Group is ramping up its aggressive push into home lending, joining the rush of banks to increase commissions paid to mortgage brokers. In a sign of growing competition in the $1.2 trillion mortgage market, Macquarie has raised up-front and trailing commissions for one of the country's biggest brokers, Mortgage Choice.

The competition watchdog has dropped its investigation into allegations of cartel behaviour between James Packer's Crown Resorts and rival Echo Entertainment, saying there is insufficient evidence to support charges following a thorough investigation.

Seven Group is looking at new sectors such as agribusiness and water for growth as the group weathers a downturn in mining services that will see it cut 1000 staff from its WesTrac business this year.

The Reserve Bank is keeping a close watch on the housing market, as it signalled a willingness to sit on the sidelines while previous interest rate cuts continue to stimulate the economy.

Boling misses mark on shares

Former Babcock & Brown chief executive Phil Green and other executives of the failed merchant bank breached corporate law by putting the company's desire for millions in fees ahead of the interests of investors, a court has heard.

And so ends a useless waste of taxpayers' money - the five-month investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission into the alleged attempt by Crown Casino's James Packer to collude with Echo chairman John O'Neill to carve up the Sydney and Brisbane casino markets. The ACCC has dropped its crusade to establish whether, while on his boat, Packer pitched a deal to O'Neill: if Echo Entertainment agreed to share the Sydney market, Crown would not contest the Brisbane market.

Chinese demand for Australia's natural resources may prove to be stronger than currently believed, according to BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie.

Alan Joyce says Qantas is subject to a "unique set of limitations" as it battles a competitor that has three rival airlines on board as shareholders and potential discount-war underwriters.

The Tax Office is to face an inquiry into its system of valuing assets for tax purposes.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has criticised federal MPs for failing to meet a delegation of car workers in Canberra this week.

The furore over Australia's Indonesian spying program could damage Australia's economic relationship with the country - the largest economy in south-east Asia.

Government-owned Medibank Private is ready for sale despite challenges in its core private health division, says managing director George Savvides.