RAPIDLY rising rents in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane have pushed the cities into the ranks of the 50 most expensive office markets.

The national broadband network will not be fast enough for Tasmanian businesses, according to consumer action group Digital Tasmania, and could even mean further delays for the Basslink cable.

FORMER bankrupt and convicted fraudster Alan Bond has rejoined the ranks of Australia’s wealthiest people, after 19 years.

THE WA Government thrust itself into the raging national petrol debate today to defend the honour of its seven-year-old baby FuelWatch.

CONSTRUCTION activity in Australia rebounded in the March quarter, indicating steady growth in the sector, particularly engineering, economists say.

THE Australian share market opened lower today, pulled down by energy stocks following a sharp decline in oil prices overnight.

Microsoft sees big growth for its Windows Mobile operating system, with one of the software giant’s execs in Asia telling Reuters on Tuesday that sales will increase at least 50 per cent over the next year as demand for smartphones picks up.

If analyst group CEG speaks on behalf of Optus, it looks likes we can assume the carrier has given up on its chances of winning the coveted NBN (national broadband network) tender being considered by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

In a new report commissioned by Optus, analyst group CEG argues that structural separation of any future broadband network would be considerably cheaper to regulate than operational separation.

THE Australian dollar opened flat today, pacing the US dollar which rose against the euro and Japanese yen on better than expected homes sales data.