AAP

As Prime Minister Julia Gillard struts the world stage emphasising the virtues of the Australian economy, there are signs back home not all is going well.

US stocks have closed mostly lower after the Federal Reserve extended its bond-swapping program, known as Operation Twist, for six months to help boost the flagging economy.

The Australian dollar is higher as the market awaits whether the US central bank goes ahead with further stimulus measures for the American economy.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned of "further stumbles" in the global economy, but says Group of 20 leaders have made good progress toward restoring growth and stabilising European banks.

The Australian share market finished slightly higher as cautious investors await any action by the US central bank to stimulate the faltering American economy.

Greens MLA Giz Watson has applauded a move by the state's Mining Warden's Court to reject three bauxite exploration licenses in the tourist-haven southwest region.

A report by the state auditor-general has identified problems with police recruitment, including not enough female and indigenous officers.

People hoping for some relief from the carbon tax debate after the pollution price begins in 10 days shouldn't hold their breath, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet says.

Suitor Aurora Oil & Gas has appointed three representatives to takeover target Eureka Energy's board after increasing its stake to 68.4 per cent.

Australia's economic growth is expected to come to a virtual halt in the second half of 2012, a private sector survey shows.

The second man to set foot on the moon, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, is scheduled to touch down in Perth today for the official opening of the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum.

Rupert Murdoch has made a $1.97 billion bid to take a dominant slice of Australia's pay television industry.

A controversial new processing plant in Malaysia run by rare earths miner Lynas has received the support of a Malaysian parliamentary committee.

The Australian share market has opened more than three quarters of a per cent higher.

Australia's biggest newspaper publisher News Ltd will cut staff in a major restructure that expands its online and pay TV presence and integrates traditional print with its growing digital business

The Australian dollar has hit a six-week high as traders await the outcome of the two-day US Federal Reserve meeting.

Wall Street has ended the day solidly higher, following European bourses after a moderately successful Spanish bond auction and on speculation about more Federal Reserve stimulus.

The Australian dollar has risen slightly on commentary from the central bank that downplayed the likelihood of another rate cut in the coming months.

An Indian-based mining giant has been accused of short-cutting the visa approval process by using foreign workers for a $10 billion coal mine in central Queensland.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors move their attention from Greece to Spain and upcoming meetings of the US central bank and leaders of the European Union.

Fairfax journalists have appealed to mining magnate and major shareholder Gina Rinehart to respect their editorial independence if she succeeds in her push to join the company's board.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says G20 leaders recognise that growth and austerity must go together to fix economic woes.

Australia's peak tourism lobby group has welcomed coalition plans to oppose an increase in the departure tax.

A mining warden has recommended rejection of a proposal to explore for bauxite south of Bridgetown, in the state's South West region.

Instability in the euro zone, and its impact on global markets and commodity prices, encouraged the central bank to cut the cash rate again, earlier in June.

Retailer Harvey Norman plans to be a market leader in the domestic solar industry after placing a substantial order for user-friendly solar panels.

Engineering firm Downer EDI has won a $71.7 million contract to install power lines and substations at BHP Billiton's Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has warned mining magnate Gina Rinehart not to trash the Fairfax Media brand for other shareholders.

The Australian sharemarket has opened 0.75 per cent lower as nervous investors focus on global problems, despite a positive election result in Greece.

Global energy giant Chevron Corporation is to sell 8 per cent of its interest in the Wheatstone liquefied natural gas processing facility and ten per cent of the project's gas fields to Japan's Tok

Wall Street stocks have ended mixed as traders rapidly digested the victory of pro-euro parties in Greece's election and focus on the next hurdle in Europe's marathon economic crisis.

The Australian sharemarket has gained almost two per cent as relieved investors bought mining stocks after the election result in Greece.