AAP

Opposition finance spokesman Andrew Robb is standing by the accountants who have been have been fined for breaching professional standards in costing the coalition's 2010 election policies, saying

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised Australians more jobs, lower taxes and economic growth in the face of a slowing global economy.

The Christmas period will be a challenging one for the retail industry, David Jones chief executive Paul Zahra says.

Mining giant Rio Tinto will invest an additional $US2.7 billion ($2.6 billion) modernising its aluminium smelter in British Columbia, Canada.

Australian shares have gained slightly, rising for the fifth day in a row, after markets in Europe and the US mostly declined after the previous day's jump.

The Australian dollar has consolidated its position, still enjoying the effects of a liquidity boost by six major central banks earlier this week.

US stock markets closed mostly lower on Thursday as investors digested a flood of economic data a day after a huge rally sparked by co-ordinated central bank action against the eurozone crisis.

The co-ordinated action by six of the world's major central banks to ensure commercial banks don't fall foul of the European debt crisis adds to the case for another interest rate cut here next wee

Global energy giant Chevron has kicked off construction of its $29 billion Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project near Onslow with a ground-breaking ceremony, with Premier Colin Barnett on hand to wield the silver-plated spade.

Australian manufacturing continued to shrink due to slow sales, skills shortages and other tough conditions, a survey shows.

A 37-year-old man has been killed at a factory in a work-related accident in Perth's north.

Australian shares have risen for a fourth consecutive day, posting strong gains after co-ordinated action from global central banks to lower borrowing costs sent global equity markets soaring.

If Australia is to export uranium to India there must be strong enforceable safeguards against improper use, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says new Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos will head a coalition taskforce to find ways to reduce bureaucratic red tape for business.

Qantas and Jetstar are set to face more competition next year, with the Asian budget carrier Scoot announcing its plan to take off in Sydney.

Foster's shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the $10.48 billion takeover by Anglo-South African brewer SABMiller.

Another global financial crisis may be on its way, according to Bunnings and Officeworks managing director John Gillam, but he claims tough times are nothing to fear.

Rio Tinto has succeeded in its takeover of Hathor Exploration as the world's second largest mining company seeks to gain a foothold in the Canadian uranium production market.

Federal finance minister Penny Wong says the federal opposition's economic credibility is in tatters after the accountants who costed its 2010 election policies were found to have breached professi

The state government and opposition are pressuring Canberra to honour a commitment to fund native title compensation.

Resources and energy export earnings soared four per cent to a record $48.8 billion in the September quarter, new government data shows.

Westpac will review its advertising of geared investment strategies after the corporate watchdog took issue with the bank's "stress free" tag line on some products.

Industrial services company Spotless Group has received an increased takeover bid from private equity group Pacific Equity Partners (PEP).

The Australian stock market has opened more than 2.5 per cent higher with resources and banking among the best performers in response to a positive session on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar opened strongly this morning following announcement of a plan by the world's central banks to boost liquidity in the shadow of the eurozone debt crisis.

US stocks have soared by four per cent after major central banks joined hands to ensure commercial banks would not be undermined by market worries over the eurozone crisis.

Port Authorities have warned that further industrial action at Fremantle Port could lead to lasting ill-effects on the national economy.

A moratorium has been recommended for all future coal seam gas (CSG) projects until further research is carried out and the approval process tightened to cover such issues as how salt will be dispo

Australian shares closed marginally higher after fresh domestic economic data boosted sentiment, while there was opportunistic buying in industrial stocks.

The nation's peak business group has called on the federal coalition to work with the minority Labor government to head off "retrograde" Greens policies on industrial relations.

Premier Colin Barnett has denied a senior public servant is taking the fall for Environment Minister Bill Marmion over the Margaret River bushfire.

Shares in Aquila Resources rose after the coal miner received conditional approval from the federal government for its first ever iron ore mine.