It has been forwarded by Fonterra that the upcoming consultations with farmer shareholders do not see a public share listing as its part.

The declaration by Fonterra comes after the rumors about the giant dairy co-operative's capital structure review.

With this announcement, the shareholders will be permitted to debate the issues without needless distraction.

As per Chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden, "Many of our shareholders have made it clear they want to retain 100% farmer control and ownership of their co-operative."

The detention of staff by the Chinese authorities forced global miner Rio Tinto to suspend iron ore price negotiations with Chinese steel mills. China accused Stern Hu, an Australian of Chinese origin, of spying and detained him in July; along with three employees of Rio’s Shanghai-based team.

Confirming the development, Rio's head of iron ore, Sam Walsh said: "At this point we're not negotiating. Remember, we have our negotiators detained."

Another hike to the flagging returns for dairy farmers was presented by Fonterra's latest whole milk powder online auction last night.

The early hours of the morning saw the internet-based sale platform, globalDairyTrade, concluding its September event, with average prices for whole milk power increasing 24.2% to $US2858 a ton - $US557 up on last month.

This arrives following a 25.8% increase during the August auction reaching $2301 per ton.

It has appeared that ITC Timber Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Elders Limited, has been acquired by Tasmanian timber company, Gunns.

It will be through a $145 million equity raising scheme that the $100 million investment will be funded. The scheme is structured as a fully underwritten one-for-four non-renounceable pro-rata entitlement offer.

The proposal of the shares in the scheme will be done at 90 cents per share.

Last week saw Gunns stock finishing trading on the Australian Securities Exchange at $1.14.

In its attempt to lessen the effect of the cost increases of ISPs accessing Telstra fixed network's unconditioned local loop (ULL) services, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has come up with the suggestion of a three-year "adjustment path."

It has appeared that with the aim to bid for a $3.1 billion international science project, having the potential to revolutionize people's understanding of the universe, the New Zealand and Australian governments have joined forces.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) large scale telescope is being said to be the one of the world's most momentous science projects.

Once the telescope is completed, it will be up to 100 times more sensitive than any other radio telescope.