AAP

The West Australian government should open up competition in the electricity market for small customers and let providers decide whether it's financially viable, the Economic Regulation Authority (

Animal welfare protesters calling for a halt to live exports and exporters angry over new supply chain checks will rally outside a community cabinet meeting in Perth.

Australia's energy players are looking at offshore gas processing to ensure resources such as the Browse and Scarborough fields are exploited in the near future.

Some 150 construction workers have walked off the job at the Mundaring Water Treatment site after a near miss with a runaway truck.

Gary Gray's appointment to the important resources portfolio has got the nod of approval from the sector.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed the government has given up on its remaining proposals for media reform, billed by media organisations as an attack on free speech.

The Australian share market has opened higher as investors await the outcome of talks over Cyprus's debt bailout.

Leighton Holdings has appointed Bob Humphris as the construction giant's new chairman.

The talk on Wall Street shifted last week from the pursuit of record highs to the future of the eurozone after the Cyprus banking crisis took centre stage.

Australian shares closed slightly higher after solid gains for the major banks offset weak overseas leads.

Loss-making Whitehaven Coal is laying off 40 workers in NSW as it cuts costs to deal with lower coal prices.

The latest leadership spill in Canberra will detract from already low business confidence, the Business Council of Australia says.

Former premier-turned lobbyist Brian Burke has appeared in court again, to face four charges related to insider trading.

Apple has blamed global music labels and movie studios for making it more expensive for Australians to download music, television shows and movies than people in the US.

Billabong shares have staged a partial recovery after the troubled retailer reassured investors it was still in takeover talks with two potential suitors.

Household electricity price rises are expected to moderate over the next two years to mid-2015.

The Australian market has opened lower as the European Central Bank sets a deadline for its Cyprus bailout.

US stocks have closed lower on uncertainty over the Cyprus banking crisis and some surprisingly weak corporate earnings.

The Australian dollar has risen to a six-week high following the release of strong economic data from China.

Federal Labor's political infighting is a continuing embarrassment to the nation, according to Premier Colin Barnett.

Media companies have welcomed the collapse of the federal government's controversial package of reforms to ownership and regulation in the industry.

The risk of possible tax increases is weighing on business sentiment in the run-up to the May budget, along with a high Australian dollar and difficult circumstances in overseas markets.

The builder of the $37.4 billion broadband network is blaming a lack of workers for missing a mid year target.

The Australian share market has closed lower after being buffeted by speculation over the Labor leadership.

Australian businesses are struggling to recruit staff with adequate maths, science, technology and engineering skills, which is stifling productivity and competitiveness, a new industry report says

Billabong shares have been placed in a trading halt while the retailer investigates why its shares have plummeted by more than 20 per cent.

Trading hours at pubs and clubs should be reduced to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, a major national study has concluded.

Premier Investments, the retailer behind brands including Just Jeans and Portmans, has brushed off the retail gloom and lifted its first half profit by 21 per cent.

Commonwealth Bank is free to seize control of independent mortgage provider Aussie Home Loans after the competition watchdog gave its blessing to the deal.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the big retail banks and major energy companies leading the broader market higher.

Building materials group Brickworks has vowed not to waste any more time reviewing its long-standing cross-shareholding with investment vehicle Washington H Soul Pattinson.

US stocks have recorded solid gains as the Federal Reserve held steady on its policy of economic stimulus.