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Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited (TEL) said the government’s rural broadband plans that were originally set out in September 2009 would adversely impact the company’s EBITDA guidance for each of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 financial years by up to $56 million if they are enacted.

Seven Network Limited (SEV) shares were placed in trading halt in connection with proposed announcements of scheme booklets associated with its proposed schemes of arrangement. The company said the Federal Court considered the transaction this morning and that the information read out during the court hearing is materially price sensitive to Seven shares and TELYS3. Seven said its shares should not be permitted to trade until the market has the benefit of all the information in the scheme booklets. The company said it expects the halt to be to lifted upon the release of the scheme booklets to ASX by approximately 2pm today.

Transfield Services Limited (TSE) announced that its partnership with Dexter Construction Co. Limited has been selected as the preferred proponent of a 30-year operations, maintenance and rehabilitation project by the New Brunswick Highway Corporation. The company said the Route 1 Gateway Project is a Public Private Partnership, which includes the construction of 55 kilometres of a new four-lane highway and upgrades to existing sections of Route 1. Transfield said the contract is expected to be finalised in the next four weeks.

Sunland Group Limited (SDG) shares were over 5% higher early after the property group said it was upgrading its guidance from around $15 million, to between $17 million and $18 million. The upgrade was a result of settlements for the house and land segment beginning earlier than anticipated and therefore being included in this year’s results.

Perpetual Limited (PPT) said its funds under management as at 28 February 2010 were $28.4 billion. The company said funds under management as at 31 January 2010 were $28.2 billion.

Transfield Services Limited (TSE) announced that its partnership with Dexter Construction Co. Limited has been selected as the preferred proponent of a 30-year operations, maintenance and rehabilitation project by the New Brunswick Highway Corporation. The company said the Route 1 Gateway Project is a Public Private Partnership, which includes the construction of 55 kilometres of a new four-lane highway and upgrades to existing sections of Route 1. Transfield said the contract is expected to be finalised in the next four weeks.

Metcash Limited (MTS) and the Mitre 10 Group announced that more than 98% of Mitre 10’s shareholders had voted in favour of Metcash injecting an estimated $55 million of new equity capital into the Mitre 10 Group, in return for the issue of a 50.1% interest. Metcash said the transaction is still conditional on court approval of the schemes of arrangement and there being no prescribed occurrences or material adverse changes occurring before completion. The company said completion is expected to occur by 31 March 2010.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (BEN) received an upgrade on its credit rating outlook from Fitch Ratings services. The company said the upgrade takes its corporate rating from BBB+ with a stable outlook, to BBB+ with a positive outlook. The change is also the first outlook upgrade by Fitch Ratings for any Australian bank since the beginning of the Global Financial Crisis.

Macmahon Holdings Limited (MAH) requested its shares be placed in trading halt this morning. The engineering contractor said the reason for the request was that it is in final negotiations in respect of a contract. Macmahon requested the trading halt to remain in place until the earlier of the opening of trading this Friday, or when an announcement regarding the contract is released.

Charter Hall Group (CHC) said it raised approximately $50 million from the retail component of its equity raising. The group said $31 million was raised from retail investor participation and $19 million by the Gandel Group as sub-underwriters of the retail entitlement offer. Charter Hall said this was in addition to the institutional component, which raised approximately $171 million. The group said the shortfall in the number of securities applied for by retail securityholders was about 28.5 million shares, which would be issued to Gandel along with 31,865 shares in respect of ineligible foreign retail securityholders. Charter Hall said Gandel’s interest in the group is now 16.1%.

Orica Limited (ORI) said the Federal Court’s decision to uphold an amended assessment by the Australian Taxation Office is estimated to have a negative impact on the company of approximately $192 million. The explosives maker said as 50% of the amount owing on the amended assessment was previously paid, a further cash payment of approximately $126 million may be required by Orica with an after tax effect of approximately $92 million. Orica said has 21 days to appeal the decision.

Lend Lease Group (LLC) announced the appointment of former Leighton Holdings Limited (LEI) chief financial officer Scott Charlton in the newly created role of director of operations. Lend Lease said Mr Charlton would be responsible for managing the company’s key corporate functions including Risk and Safety, Human Resources, Legal, Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information and Communications Technology. The company said Mr Charlton would bring more than 21 years experience in property, construction, infrastructure and finance, including six and a half years at Leighton. Mr Charlton was appointed chief financial officer at Leighton in June 2007.

David Jones Limited (DJS) announced the appointment of Philippa Stone as a non-executive director with effect from 9 March 2010. The company said it is intended that Ms Stone would stand for election as director at the company’s AGM on 3 December 2010. David Jones said Ms Stone has extensive business and legal experience, and is a corporate and commercial partner of a major law firm, specialising in corporate governance, general corporate advice, equity capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. The company said Ms Stone is also a member of the ASX’s Listing Appeals Tribunal, a member of the Law Council of Australia’s Corporations Committee and a member of the International Air Services Commission.

CBD Energy Limited (CBD) said its subsidiary eco-Kinetics has won a two-year contract with Queensland electricity company, Ergon Energy. The company said this is the first major contract for eco-Kinetics’ recently established wholesale division, and follows another contract from the successful tender of the $20 million Shepparton SGVS contact in December 2009. CBD said the contract covers the supply of on and off grid photovoltaic systems for the generation of solar energy.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) said the dispute with the former group managing director Institutional, Steve Targett, had ended with Mr Targett agreeing to discontinue his legal action against the company. ANZ said it received a Deed of Release signed by Mr Targett today. The company said no payment would be made by ANZ to Mr Targett and each party would meet their own legal costs. ANZ said it consistently maintained Mr Targett’s case was without merit.

Intoll Group (ITO) has agreed a full and final settlement of its litigation with Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and Golden Apple Infrastructure Inc (OTPP) related to the conversion of Reset Convertible Notes by OTPP in 2006. The company, formerly known as Macquarie Infrastructure Group, said in consideration for the settlement, it has agreed to pay OTPP $20 million. Intoll said it continues to see improvements in traffic volumes at its two toll road assets – 407 ETR in Toronto and Westlink M7 in Sydney.

Brambles Limited (BXB) announced the appointment of Dolph Westerbos as group president, CHEP Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). The company said Mr Westerbos joins Brambles from Dell, for which he has been vice president, Solutions & Services for EMEA since 2008. Brambles said the appointment completes the company’s Executive Leadership Team and fills the vacancy created in CHEP EMEA when Tom Gorman became CEO of Brambles in November 2009. The company said Mr Westerbos would start at CHEP EMEA in mid-April.

Tower Australia Group Limited (TAL) said the Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company of Japan (Dai-ichi Life) has received APRA and FIRB approval to increase its interest in Tower for a 49.9% shareholding limit. The company said at the time of seeking regulatory approval to acquire the interests of Guinness Peat Group PLC (GPG) in Tower Australia, Dai-ichi Life requested approvals for a 33% shareholding limit.

Slater & Gordon Limited (SGH) announced that the Federal Court ruled in favour of the lead plaintiff, Graeme Peterson, in the Voixx Class action against pharmaceutical company Merck. The company said Merck has the right to appeal the judgement or they may decide to work towards a negotiated settlement that is satisfactory to clients and the Court. Slater & Gordon expects there to be no material impact on the company’s FY10 results. The company said its benchmark internal rate of return on the funds invested in major litigation actions is 25%.

Bank of Queensland Limited (BOQ) this morning announced the appointment of current Chief Financial Officer Ram Kangatharan to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bank, effective 1 March 2010. The bank said the in the role, Mr Kangatharan responsibilities would include achieving a cost-to-income ratio of 45% by 2011 and 15% return on equity by 2012. A search for a new CFO is underway, the bank added.

Virgin Blue Holdings Limited (VBA) announced the appointment of former executive general manager of Qantas John Borghetti as the company’s new chief executive officer and managing director, effective May 8, 2010. The appointment follows the resignation of current CEO and co-founder of the company, Brett Godfrey in July 2009. Virgin said that prior to being appointed executive general manager at Qantas in 2003, Mr Borghetti headed the airline’s Global Sales and Marketing operations, including responsibility for the Qantas Holidays group of companies. The company said Mr Borghetti’s current directorships are with Care Australia, Piper Aircraft, The Australian Ballet and Investment Committee Member of Investec Global Aircraft Fund. Virgin said he would be stepping down from the Piper Aircraft board and the Investec Global Aircraft Fund.