Insights

SP AusNet is running up an interest bill of $350,000 a month on a multimillion-dollar dispute with the Tax Office, which is under appeal.

Asciano has called for the Abbott government to forge ahead with a tightening of industrial relations laws - including workers' ability to take protected strike action - "sooner rather than later".

The slowdown in the mining services sector has hit Seven Group's WesTrac business, which outlined plans to axe a further 630 staff.

Treasurer Joe Hockey's big tick for Saputo of Canada's $449 million takeover offer for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Company improves the odds on him also approving Archer Daniels Midland's $3.4 billion bid for GrainCorp, but the politics of the two deals are different.

The chief executive of one of the country's largest power generators has quit in the wake of an investigation into unauthorised changes to the employment contracts of some senior officials.

One of Australia's most senior bankers, Westpac's Brian Hartzer, has denied lenders are lowering their credit standards in the rush to sign up new customers.

Treasurer Joe Hockey may have unconditionally backed Saputo's $450 million takeover offer for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter, but rival bidders believe they still have a fighting chance to control Australia's oldest listed milk processor.

Penrice Soda is confident the worst is behind it as cash flow improves following $140 million of losses in the past three years. At its June 30 balance date, liabilities exceeded assets by $46.6 million, resulting in auditor Ernst & Young qualifying its accounts for the second year running due to "material uncertainty ... about the ... group's ability to continue as going concerns", it said in the annual report.

The election boost to business confidence has faded as companies continue to grapple with weak conditions and a soft outlook for domestic demand.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appointed three telecommunications veterans to the board of the company charged with building Australia's national broadband network, one of whom owns a significant number of Telstra shares and another who previously left the company on unceremonious terms.

Crikey! Writers want to get paid?

The sharemarket edged higher on Tuesday as investors largely stayed on the sidelines amid uncertainty over when the US Federal Reserve will start to trim its bond-buying stimulus.

More people are turning to the internet for financial tips and information on financial products.

The Fender Katsalidis design makes the most of its setting, writes Stephen Crafti.

Sales

ALE Property Group has reaffirmed its 2014 distribution guidance to be at least 16.35¢ per security, boosted by its Woolworths tenants and property development opportunities.