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Gas pipeline owner Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF) has rejected a surprise takeover offer by APA Group but says it's still open to a higher bid.

ANZ Banking Group says it could take several weeks to fix a security problem with its online banking service.

BlueScope Steel says retail shareholders took up less than half of the new shares available under a $600 million capital raising share offer.

Jetstar Airways is on the lookout for a new head of its Singapore-based operations after announcing Chong Phit Lian would step down in February next year.

Wharfies have returned to work at Fremantle and Bunbury ports in Western Australia, ending a nationwide maritime dispute with stevedoring company POAGS.

Iron Ore Holdings plans to buy back up to 10 per cent of its shares on market, saying the iron ore explorer's share price does not reflect the fair value of its assets.

An Asian investor will match the federal government dollar for dollar as part of a $200 million scheme to help local renewable energy companies get started.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's salary will rise to $481,000 and backbenchers will get a base rate of $185,000 from 2012, under a plan released today.

National Australia Bank says volatile global markets are pushing up the cost of funds and 2012 will be a challenging year.

Australian stocks fell as fears that France may face a downgrade to its sovereign debt rating sparked renewed concerns about the fall out from the euro zone debt crisis.

Moments after becoming federal workplace relations minister, Bill Shorten announced last night a breakthrough in the waterfront dispute at Australian ports.

Australian shares clawed back lost ground to end flat after the largest monthly fall in consumer confidence since 2008 dragged down markets.

More than 1,000 businesses affected by alleged price fixing between cardboard manufacturers Amcor and Visy have received an early Christmas present, as the two companies finally come through with $

Poker machine reforms proposed by federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie are too simplistic, casino and media tycoon James Packer says.

Australia's entertainers copped their share of economic woe in 2011, but it's unlikely they'll find a shoulder to cry on.

One third of Fletcher Jones stores, including its Harbour Town outlet in Perth, will close and 61 staff made redundant as the administrators seek to save the clothing business through a sale.

The Australian economy will inevitably suffer spillover effects from the European government debt crisis, Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Ric Battellino says.

Job advertisements on the internet rose by 5.4 per cent in November compared to a month earlier, national data shows.

Consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since August, despite two consecutive cash rate cuts, a survey finds.

Gas pipeline owner APA Group has made a $1.8 billion takeover offer for Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF), an investment fund with gas pipeline assets.

Westpac Banking Corporation says volatility in global financial markets is continuing to weigh on the bank's revenue from its markets and treasury business.

Australian stocks opened slightly lower after the US Federal Reserve disappointed markets by holding off with further monetary easing.

The Australian dollar has dropped slightly after some negative commentary about the eurozone government debt crisis.

US stocks gave up early gains in late trade after the IMF warned Greece's economy was facing deep risks and the Federal Reserve refrained from providing any new spark for the economy.

Canada's decision to formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol doesn't mean the international community isn't serious about tackling global warming, the federal government says.

Mortgage arrears stabilised during the September quarter and are expected to fall as the impact of the central bank's recent interest rate cuts reach borrowers, Fitch Ratings says.

Billions of export dollars look set to keep rolling in at a healthy clip this financial year, despite an uncertain global backdrop.

Australian shares slumped in line with stock markets across Asia as warnings from two ratings agencies wiped out optimism that Europe's debt crisis may be nearing a resolution.

Half of Australian households are not saving money and almost a quarter do not feel they could withstand a financial emergency, research shows.

Rio Tinto has increased its shareholding in Canadian uranium company Hathor Exploration and extended its friendly offer for a second time.

Generation Y is far more financially savvy than they are given credit for, research shows.

A former chairman of Tasmanian timber giant Gunns has appeared in a Launceston court on two charges of insider trading.