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Australia's dollar ought to be falling, a point underlined today by another weak analysis of manufacturing, but any hope of relief for manufacturing, mining or agriculture has been killed by events in Cyprus and the flood of capital pouring out of Europe into safer places, including Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan would be the highest-profile casualty as the coalition cruises to victory at the September 14 federal election, according to analysis of recent polling.

Billabong's shares have been placed in a trading halt as talks with two potential suitors drag on.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the big supermarket chains and energy companies leading the broader market higher.

The decline in Australia's manufacturing sector has extended into a 14th month as falling selling prices and a strong currency hit hard.

Perth's residential property sector has recorded the highest growth of all capital cities over March, while the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia says median home values are at an all-time

US stocks retreated on Monday, weakened by mediocre manufacturing data and cautious sentiment after last week's record highs.

Visitors to the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition on Cottesloe Beach have been slugged more than $100,000 in parking fines, the local council has revealed.

The federal government says any rise in the minimum wage should take account of both the needs of low-income families and the pressures on business.

BlueScope Steel and the world's second-largest steelmaker have begun their $1.31 billion joint venture in coated products.

News of Brazil-focused miner Crusader Resources achieving its first iron ore sales has excited the market with its share price jumping more than 16 per cent today.

The Australian dollar is almost half of a US cent lower amid nervousness about what will happen with banks in Cyprus and the Italian government over the Easter weekend.

International consulting, engineering and construction services contractor MWH Global plans to acquire Perth-based environmental consultancy Outback Ecology.

Australian stocks closed about half a per cent lower as the big resources companies dragged the market down following falls in China

Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill Holdings has overlooked its joint venture partners and appointed Samsung C&T as its engineering contractor for the $10 billion Roy Hill iron ore development in the Pilb

It's official: Perth is now home to four of Australia's five most advantaged suburbs, and people are flocking to share in Western Australia's wealth boom in record numbers.

Shares in Linc Energy fell more than 12 per cent after the company announced it has raised $200 million through a convertible bond issue.

Gold miner Troy Resources has made an all-scrip off-market takeover bid for Azimuth Resources, valuing the target at $188 million.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says current low interest rates are a "temporary feature" of the Australian economy.

Fruit and vegie prices fell in March, but the savings were eaten up by increases in the cost of fuel, alcohol and tobacco.

Australian stocks have opened down about 0.4 per cent, with the big retail banks and energy sector leading the broader market lower.

The coalition will not confirm whether it would reverse a possible Labor raid on wealthy people's superannuation tax concessions.

Federal Labor could lose at least 24 seats at the next election, according to an opinion poll of marginal seats taken for the Australian Financial Review.

US stocks mostly fell on Wednesday amid renewed anxiety over the eurozone as Cyprus moves to implement the EU-IMF rescue plan.

Aleator Energy has secured a $US20 million loan to fund exploration at its Povorotnoye gas and condensate development in the Ukraine.

Premier Colin Barnett can't promise he'll secure federal infrastructure funding for his election commitments, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Beadell Resources has launched a $25 million capital raising to pay off outstanding invoices for its Tucano gold processing facility in Brazil and boost working capital.

Torque Mining has pulled its initial public offering off the table after it failed to meet the minimum subscription threshold of $3 million.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has raised concerns in the dairy industry with a plan to deal directly with a group of farmers to secure milk supplies.

Developer and funds manager Aspen Group has secured an 18-month extension to its $120 million finance facility with National Australia Bank.

The Australian share market closed almost one per cent higher as investors took their cues from positive news in the US.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's plan to roll back the carbon tax will put the budget's bottom line under pressure, an investment banker says.