Dene Mackenzie

The Government continues to move slowly on global tax evasion and no action is likely for four to five years, according to a statement by Revenue Minister Todd McClay.

Two hometown favourites, one candidate with impeccable union credentials and a Maori representing a significant proportion of party voting strength will be on show tonight in Labour's leadership talent quest.

Rising corporate profits and growing concerns about deflation indicate the worst of the market sell-off is over, Craigs Investment Partners broker Peter McIntyre says.

The official cash rate announcement by the Reserve Bank due on Thursday has heightened interest after a lower-than-expected inflation reading of 1% for the year ended September.

National Party list MP Michael Woodhouse has inherited one of the Government's most controversial portfolios - workplace relations and safety. The passage of an amendment Bill through Parliament will be a major trial of his political skills. Business editor Dene Mackenzie reports.

The Australian banking sector starts its second-half reporting season on Thursday with expectations for stronger growth in the fourth quarter driven by improved lending volumes.

The Inland Revenue Department is going through a transformation process which will cost about $1.5 billion for a new computer system and other changes.

Sky Network Television has signed a conditional five-year deal to secure broadcast rights to the New Zealand Rugby Union and Sanzar unions for an undisclosed amount, a deal it could not afford to lose.

Thousands of workers were at risk of losing their meal and rest breaks if the Government pressed ahead with changes to employment laws, Labour Party labour spokesman Andrew Little said yesterday.

Higher claims in the year ended June substantially reduced the profit reported by Accident Compensation Corporation but the government entity still managed a surplus of $2.1 billion in the period.

Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay is New Zealand's youngest MP and represents the country's largest general electorate but none of that is hampering his ambitions for provincial New Zealand.

Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie yesterday delivered her maiden speech in Parliament, which contained more than a hint of sadness but also sense of determination.

Prime Minister John Key last month made tackling child poverty a top priority but yesterday, the issue was barely mentioned in his agenda for the next three years.

The faith Port Otago management placed in Christchurch-based Jade Software to design a freight-handling system for the port continues to pay dividends 21 years later.

New Zealand's annual net migration rose to a record in September, beating government forecasts, and economists predict it will rise further in the first half of next year.

Gigabit speed is everything it is said to be and people will be surprised when they find out what they can do with ultra-fast broadband speed, Wicked Networks managing director Stewart Fleming says.