AAP

The High Court has dealt a major blow to the state government after ruling invalid legislation that would have propelled it to the top of the creditors' list for the $1.75 billion carve-up of the failed Bell Group.

Perth property developer Nigel Satterley insists Mike Nahan was seeking to oust Colin Barnett until "sensible people brought it into the open".

The Australian share market is slightly higher following a fall in commodity prices, disappointing data about China's economy and Wall Street closing in red territory.

Gold prices have risen, buoyed by weak US equity markets and chart-based strength, as it shrugged off a higher US dollar and strong US economic data suggesting a brightening outlook for the economy

US stocks fell on Friday, as a decline in oil prices added to pressure from consumer companies after gloomy quarterly reports from Nordstrom and J.C.

The Australian dollar has extended a multi-week decline, with strength in the greenback and global risk aversion at play.

The share market has fallen as the major banks gave up early gains and weaker commodity prices weighed on the resources sector.

Premier Colin Barnett has denied his leadership is in jeopardy following recent poor polling and insists if anyone was dissatisfied with his performance they would tell him.

Treasurer Mike Nahan appears to have lost any hope his calls to change the GST carve-up will be heeded, declaring "we're on our own" after handing down the state budget yesterday.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher after a mixed overnight session on Wall Street.

US stocks have ended mixed, with gains in telecommunications and consumer staples helping make up for a tumble in Apple to a two-year low.

Gold has fallen as a strengthening US dollar prompted some buyers to cash in gains after its biggest daily rise this month, briefly paring losses after downbeat US jobs data.

The Australian dollar is flat amid conflicting pressures from oil and iron ore prices.

The financial sector has driven the Australian share market lower after Westpac's shares traded ex-dividend.

Newly appointed Labor candidate for Fremantle, Josh Wilson, says he sympathises with the man he has replaced in what he has described as extraordinary circumstances.

Myer has reaffirmed its full-year guidance despite subdued sales due to the warm start to winter.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

US stocks dropped and the Dow Jones industrial average suffered its worst day since February as feeble quarterly reports from Walt Disney, Macy's and Fossil undermined confidence across the consumer sector.

Stronger oil prices have boosted the Australian dollar.

Gold has rebounded from two-week lows as the US dollar's rally paused and global shares fell, rekindling investors' appetite for the precious metal.

Labor candidate Chris Brown reportedly could be disendorsed for the seat of Fremantle due to undisclosed convictions from the 1980s.

Woolworths has declined to comment on a media report that it is a takeover target for private equity giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

The Australian bourse has closed higher as energy and resources stocks lifted the market.

Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi says she doesn't fear a possible leadership challenge.

BHP Billiton boss Andrew Mackenzie is confident that the resources behemoth can boost its value by more than 70 per cent, even without a significant recovery in commodity prices.

Australian energy company AWE has knocked back a $421.4 million takeover bid from a private equity firm, labelling the offer opportunistic and below fair value.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent higher.

Gold has closed slightly higher after earlier falling to a near two-week low, after its steepest loss since March in the prior session, as a firm US dollar and higher equities curb appetite for the precious metal.

Stock markets around the world have rallied, helped by solid corporate earnings reports and higher oil prices supporting energy shares.

The Australian dollar has risen amid a bounce on oil prices.

The Australian share market has closed higher after a choppy session.

Lower iron ore prices and a stronger US dollar hit dual-listed Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton in London and the pair continued to suffer locally on Tuesday.