AAP

Insurer QBE has named the boss of UK insurer Beazley, Andrew Horton, as its next chief executive.

Scott Morrison has confirmed his embattled Defence Minister Linda Reynolds called an alleged rape victim a "lying cow".

Big companies trading ex-dividend and a weak offshore lead dragged the Australian share market lower, while a fund manager saw risk in where the market may be headed.

Scott Morrison has attempted to draw a line under historical rape allegations against Christian Porter after the attorney general emphatically denied the claims and police ended their investigation.

Retailer Myer has posted a massive lift in interim profit after a surge in online sales, yet investors were unimpressed and sent shares plunging on the ASX.

Australia posted the biggest monthly trade surplus in history on the back of record iron ore exports, as the economy continued to rack up new markers in its rebound from last year's deep recession.

Anthony Albanese has failed to join his state Labor colleagues on the campaign trail in Western Australia, nine days out from the state election.

A Medicare-style levy or tax hike remains on the table as the Morrison government weighs up how to find billions of dollars desperately needed for aged care.

Australia's share market has closed higher, as early optimism was reinforced by fourth-quarter economic data which showed a better than expected recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Nine has appointed Mike Sneesby as its new chief executive, having led the group's Stan Entertainment unit since its inception.

Qantas and regional Rex Airlines know JobKeeper will end this month, but have argued for further handouts to see them through COVID uncertainty.

The Australian economy grew by 3.1 per cent in the December quarter, continuing the strong rebound from last year's recession.

Police commissioner Chris Dawson wants new legislation to enable a permanent police presence on the state's borders, including stronger vehicle search powers.

Australians have been told to still expect their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine by October, with the federal government sticking by its time frame despite initial delays in the rollout.

A Morrison government cabinet minister accused of a historical rape will reportedly come forward after coming under increasing pressure to publicly identify himself.

Australia's share market closed lower while investors were reassured low borrowing costs will remain for some time yet, after the Reserve Bank left the cash rate and other settings unchanged.

Opposition leader Zak Kirkup has slammed the Premier's insinuation that the state's border controls could remain beyond the pandemic, labelling it a taste of what's to come.

The Reserve Bank has left its key interest rates unchanged following its monthly board meeting, while remaining committed to its bond buying program aimed at keeping borrowing costs low.

The Morrison government has left the door open to a tax increase to find billions of dollars needed to fix Australia's besieged aged care system.

Australia's farm production has been forecast to soar to a record high on the back of a remarkable turnaround from a crippling drought.

Senior Morrison government ministers have stressed a cabinet colleague accused of a horrific historical rape is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Federal Labor has backed gas as a key part of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in a new policy platform set for debate later this month.

Medical experts believe the federal government's coronavirus vaccination target will be hard to achieve unless jab rates are dramatically ramped up.

JobKeeper wage subsidies worth millions of dollars have been paid back to the tax office as Treasurer Josh Frydenberg rules out changing laws to force other companies to do the same.

A letter has been sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison alleging a 1988 rape by a current cabinet minister.

Early issues with Australia's coronavirus vaccine rollout are being ironed out as the federal government assures the public safety is paramount.

Australia's share market had its heaviest percentage fall since early September after investors opted for rising yields in the bond market.

Harvey Norman continues to enjoy soaring sales through the pandemic after posting a 116 per cent rise in first-half earnings.

News has returned to Australian Facebook feeds with the social media behemoth dropping its ban after reaching a deal with the federal government.

Afterpay is raising money to increase its stake in its US operations, on the same day it posted a first-half loss.

Scott Morrison has conceded his defence minister should have told him about an alleged rape in Parliament House without identifying the woman involved.

Australia's share market has closed higher, as commodity-based sectors thrived on investor belief that economic recovery is coming, helped by vaccines and US fiscal stimulus.