AAP

The ethical bar for ministers may now be set too high, Premier Colin Barnett says, after treasurer Troy Buswell came under pressure for helping to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

Australia's jobless rate is expected to drift higher, despite the recent pickup in economic data and improvement in consumer and business confidence.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following a solid lead from the US and ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's monthly interest rate decision.

Oil prices have risen slightly as traders hunted bargains after a series of losses while the market kept an eye on abundant US crude-oil supplies.

US stocks have ended a quiet day higher as investors look ahead to some important economic reports later in the week, including the monthly jobs report.

The Australian dollar has rallied above 95 US cents on the back of strong retail and house prices data.

Mix 94.5 has reclaimed the top slot in Perth's radio ratings, gaining a 1.3 per cent increase in listeners to claim 13.5 per cent of the audience.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has been accused of abusing his power by intervening to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

The share market drifted lower as a record annual profit from Westpac and strong retail sales figures failed to provide impetus.

Retail spending continues to improve, driven by department store sales, reflecting the bounce in consumer confidence since the September federal election.

Labor must expand or die, according to Western Australian leader Mark McGowan, who has revealed plans for local party branches to hold meetings online.

The Abbott government is being urged to close a legal loophole after the Federal Court ruled against four Filipinos being paid less than $3 an hour to work on oil rigs off the West Australian coast.

The controversial results of Western Australia's senate recount have been formally declared ahead of a likely High Court challenge.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following gains on Wall Street driven by good US manufacturing data and car sales figures.

Westpac has announced a record $7.1 billion full year profit, and the bank expects improving consumer confidence to help it build on the result next year.

Gold futures have fallen, as pressure from a stronger US dollar dampens investor interest in the dollar-denominated metal.

US stocks paused this week following a stream of corporate earnings that were solid enough to maintain the year's gains, but not quite good enough to push the rally forward.

The Australian dollar is lower against the greenback, driven by good US data and talk that the US Federal Reserve could begin tapering its economic stimulus program sooner rather than later.

Shares in Macquarie Group climbed to their highest level in four years after the investment bank's half year profit rose by 39 per cent to $501 million.

Consumers could be faced with higher prices in coming months due to an acceleration in business energy costs.

A court has allowed four Filipino men to be paid less than $3 an hour to work on oil rigs off the Western Australian coast.

David Jones is upbeat ahead of the busy Christmas season as the upmarket department store chain enjoys a healthy post-election boost in sales.

Australian shares have been dragged lower by the big miners due to weaker commodities prices.

Shares in NSW cheese maker Bega have surged to a record high after the world's biggest diary exporter Fonterra bought a six per cent stake in it.

The Australia market has opened lower following weak leads from Wall Street.

US stocks have fallen following a flood of mixed earnings reports, but registered strong gains for the entire tumultuous month of October.

Oil prices have fallen again, with New York prices down a third straight day, amid rising stockpiles in the United States and a tepid picture for economic growth.

The Australian dollar is lower after a bout of disappointing data from the euro zone caused a sell-off in most currencies.

Nine mine workers trapped in an underground mine in central Western Australia have been bought to the surface safely, the operator BHP Billiton says.

Clive Palmer says a discrepancy in the numbers across three vote recounts in the seat of Fairfax proves officials have been counting votes incorrectly, while the Liberal National Party is yet to rule out challenging his narrow win.

There is growing confidence the central bank will leave the official cash rate unchanged at its November board meeting for the second year in a row.

National Australia Bank has made a record profit of almost $6 billion and hopes an improvement in business confidence will boost its bottom line next year.