AAP

Businesses expect the pain of a high exchange rate to intensify over the coming year, with exporters saying they will respond by slashing their investment spending.

Some of Australia's top companies aren't using their social media sites effectively, according to a federal government-funded study.

The Australian share market closed lower on Wednesday, dragged down by the four big banks.

Australian consumer sentiment has hit its highest level in more than two years but is yet to provide a boost to the economy.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says proposed media laws changes won't curtail the freedom of the press or allow governments to control the news.

The federal government is likely to produce a budget deficit of about $20 billion this financial year on the back of declining company tax revenues, according to new analysis.

The chances of more interest rate cuts have improved after home loan approvals fell in January.

The Australian share market has opened 0.4 per cent lower as the recent good run by global markets shows signs of fizzling out.

BHP Billiton has denied any wrongdoing after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and US authorities launched an investigation into bribery allegations surrounding the company's sponsorship of the B

National Australia Bank plans to save about $800 million a year from new changes to its business that include a major reshuffle of its senior managers.

Retail sales growth is expected to gain momentum over the next two years, thanks to improvements in the housing sector and better economic conditions.

US stocks closed mostly lower on Tuesday in quiet trade, but the Dow squeezed out a sixth straight day of record-high closings.

The Liberal Party has claimed victory in another electorate, saying Glenys Godfrey has won the seat of Belmont.

Mining giant Rio Tinto says it's trying to secure financing for its Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.

Australia will host an inaugural Australia-Hong Kong trade and investment dialogue to pursue greater international use of the Chinese currency, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

BHP Billiton is generating weaker cash flow than expected but Standard & Poor's has let it off the credit rating hook.

The Australian share market finished lower due to falls in the resources sector.

Woodside Petroleum's $40 billion Browse gas project looks less likely to go ahead despite the re-election of its biggest supporter, Premier Colin Barnett.

The head of Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation has been forced to quit after 12 years in the job due to illness.

Fears that a ballot box was stolen with a car in the knife-edge electorate of Midland have proven baseless.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said the government intends to keep to its promise of getting debt below $250 billion by the end of the 2012/13 financial year.

Business hiring intentions are subdued due to conflicting economic messages and uncertainty over the outcome of the upcoming federal election, a survey says.

The federal government will overhaul the way complaints against the press are handled and ensure there is no further reduction in media diversity.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources has begun mining at its Western Queen South project in a bid to boost production to 100,000 ounces a year.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam admits he's in strife if weekend state election results carry over to the federal election in September.

A full-time job does not guarantee access to housing, according to a report on housing affordability.

Gina Rinehart's daughter Hope Welker has formally withdrawn from the Supreme Court civil action she took with two of her siblings against her mother.

The Australian share market has opened slightly stronger after US markets continued to climb to new highs.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent higher following gains on the New York stock market.

US stocks brushed off an early move toward a correction and added to the bull run, with the Dow setting a fresh record for the fifth straight day.

The Australian dollar has closed lower, drifting back towards 102 US cents as global markets poured back into the US dollar after a positive US jobs report.

Mark Bouris' TZ Limited has struck a deal to install lockers in petrol stations and convenience stores in a bid to capitalise on the online retailing boom.