The top executives of AMP have seen their pay rise, even as the company has suffered losses during the fiscal.

Carig Dunn, the head of AMP, was given a 30 per cent rise in his compensation last year. Most of this increase was given in form of short-term bonus payments. Besides this, the top nine executives of AMP were collectively given $20.7 billion in 2009. This is higher than $15.8 billion which was paid in 2008.

These raises come up even as the underlying profit of AMP fell down by 5 per cent to become $772 million last year.

The decrease in profit has also affected the company's expansion plans. Its takeover bid for Axa Asia Pacific has already been rejected and the bid too has expired.

Moreover, the bidding done by AMP along with National Australia Bank for AXA Asia Pacific Holdings is getting delayed. It's because of the decision uncertainty of The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

However, a ruling from the commission is expected by April 22 for the $13.3 billion bid.

AMP is also awaiting shareholders' approval for issuing shares under the dividend reinvestment program.

Crown to invest $212 million for upgrading Melbourne's casino Crown, the casino operator said on Thursday that it will be spending $212 million for upgrading its facilities at Melbourne's Crown casino. These are high-rolling gambling sites. It also said that it will invest $30 million in corporate jets.

These will be used for providing luxury flights. The new jets will be long-range and will be custom-fitted Gulf-Stream jets. The capacity of these jets would be nine people. Crow has announced that it would make the number of corporate jets to three after this investment.

On the upgrade front Crown said that it would be making the best of gaming rooms. These would be having ultra-exclusive in nature and would be higher than the current standard that Crown provides. These will be called Level 39 and would be present besides the current premium gaming area called the Mahogany Room.

This level will have 10 tables. Meanwhile, the Mahogany Room which has 16 tables will be extended by 50 per cent. The Mahogany Room will also have a new private gaming salon along with a five-star restaurant and a lounge area. This new side would be built overlooking the Yarra River.