AAP

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says a falling Australian dollar should help the transition from mining investment to broader-based growth in the economy.

Gold, silver and platinum have slumped to multi-year lows as investors dump the precious metals on the belief that rising US interest rates and a cash crunch in China will limit demand.

US stocks have ended the day decisively lower on concerns about the Chinese economy but rallied well above their intraday lows as US Treasury yields retreated.

The Australian dollar has dived below 92 cents for the first time since September 2010 following the weakest Chinese growth reading in 13 years.

Australian shares have posted their largest one-day loss in two months as nervous investors looked to steep falls on Asian markets due to fears of a credit crunch in China.

The slowing of the mining boom and public sector cuts will lead to a dramatic drop in the number of new homes being built in parts of Australia, according to a new report.

The Australian share market is expected to extend its losses in morning trade after opeing more than one per cent lower, but should make something of a late recovery into the close.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has decided to retain its diamonds businesses following a review which considered a range of options, including divestment.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has taken a swipe at irresponsible commentators talking down the Australian economy.

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.