AAP

Gold and silver futures have pulled higher as investors who wagered on lower prices cashed in gains on the previous day's slump, and as a rebound in physical purchases buoyed prices.

US investors have endured another down week after the Federal Reserve surprised markets by signalling that it would begin to taper its bond-buying program later this year.

Holden's boss says he is confident a coalition federal government would help Australia's car industry survive, despite recent promises to cut support for the struggling sector.

An afternoon recovery on the Australian share market was not enough to prevent a second straight day of losses.

The federal coalition wants to make the Top End of Australia the next development frontier for jobs, services and infrastructure.

Shares in Newcrest Mining have slumped to nine-year lows as the miner battles disclosure and operational problems.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has sold a 15 per cent stake in a Pilbara iron ore mine to two Japanese conglomerates for $US1.5 billion ($A1.6 billion).

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

As the mining story slows down, other sectors need to pick up to support Australia's growth.

The Australian dollar has fallen below the 92 US cent mark as a report showing weakness in Chinese manufacturing adds to worries about the US Federal Reserve scaling back economic stimulus measures

Worries over China's economic slowdown and the possible end to the US Federal Reserve's stimulus have sent global markets into a tailspin.

If Prime Minister Julia Gillard hoped to bring certainty when she unexpectedly called the September 14 election date back in January, a leading business group says it hasn't worked.

The Australian dollar dived to its lowest point in two-and-a-half years after being dealt a double blow by news out of the US and China.

Australian shares suffered their worst loss in a day since February amid jitters over a cutback in US stimulus measures and weaker than expected Chinese manufacturing data.

Traditional owners have vowed to challenge the legal status of a new agreement between the state government and two companies seeking to exploit shale gas in the Canning Basin.

Fortescue Metals Group will miss targets for this year's iron ore shipments and a planned infrastructure sale.

A bid by former MP Adele Carles to sue millionaire property developer Nigel Satterley over comments he made about her affair with state Treasurer Troy Buswell has been withdrawn.

Australian shares have opened lower after the US Federal Reserve indicated it could wind back of its massive stimulus program for the world's largest economy before too long.

ANZ plans to sack about 600 Melbourne call centre staff and send their jobs overseas, the union says.

The Australian dollar has plummeted to below 93 US cents after the US Federal Reserve announced its stimulus program could end in mid-2014.

US stocks have fallen sharply after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed may begin to taper bond purchases later this year.

Rio Tinto has signed a new native title agreement with traditional owners the Yindjibarndi people, covering two of its Pilbara railways and a number of mineral deposits.

Australian shares have gained ground as investors took a cautiously optimistic stance ahead of a keenly awaited update on economic stimulus measures in the United States.

Former premier Brian Burke has pleaded not guilty to four charges related to insider trading in Perth company Amcom Telecommunications.

More than $23 million in public sector fraud was investigated by Western Australian police in just two years, a new report has revealed, and corruption within government agencies is increasing.

Shares in mining engineer WorleyParsons are up three per cent after a South Korean shipbuilding giant awarded it a $US100 million ($A105.97 million) offshore oil and gas contract in Nigeria.

The Australian Greens want Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula to be protected and are pushing for the area to be given world heritage status.

Resource industry groups have expressed concern about federal laws that will result in coal seam gas and large coal mine developments facing greater scrutiny under changes designed to ensure new pr

Security screening staff are rallying at Qantas terminals around Australia in support of Perth airport colleagues who have been locked out of their jobs during a wage dis

The impact of the easing mining sector has been reflected in Western Australia posting the biggest drop in the number of jobs ads posted online.

Western Australia's police commissioner is set to plead with the country's top politicians for a ban on alcohol promotions during AFL and NRL matches.

The Australian share market has opened nearly two-thirds of a per cent higher.