Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Tuesday:

AGK – AGL ENERGY – down 46 cents, or 2.98 per cent, at $14.97

Australia’s consumer watchdog says it will oppose AGL Energy’s planned takeover of two NSW government-owned power stations.

QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS – steady at $1.15

VAH – VIRGIN AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS – steady at 35.5 cents

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he believes Labor and the crossbenchers will back his plan to change the Qantas Sale Act, saying the alternative is to “sit there and watch Qantas bleed”.

SEPARATELY: Virgin Australia says it is pleased with the government’s decision to support greater foreign ownership of rival Qantas.

SLK – SEALINK TRAVEL GROUP – up 5.00 cents, or 2.78 per cent, at $1.85

The SeaLink Travel Group has renewed contracts to operate ferry services in north Queensland for another five years.