AAP

Investors on the Australian share market have finished the session with gains, despite Donald Trump's threat to contest the results of the US presidential election.

Australians will soon know if Western Australia's border closure is legally valid, in a court decision that could have broad consequences for the nation's pandemic response.

Cashless debit cards for welfare recipients are not worth the human cost, senators have been told.

NAB has reported a slump in full-year earnings due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce is demanding action on climate change, industrial relations and red tape as Australia recovers from the coronavirus recession.

A jump in retail spending during the September quarter and an expanding construction sector are further signs that the economy is on the mend.

Shares fluctuated on the Australian market amid early US election results, but have finished barely changed as the world waits to learn who is voted president.

An inquiry by the NSW gaming regulator has heard Crown Resorts is not suitable to hold the licence for a soon-to-be-open $2.2 billion casino in Sydney.

Australia's biggest banks appear to be chasing new home loan business by cutting their fixed rate products, rather than supporting existing customers with variable rate mortgages.

It's hard to imagine a more serious purpose for closing Western Australia's border than for the coronavirus pandemic, the High Court has been told.

Woolworths food sales jumped almost 13 per cent in the first quarter of this financial year, a result the supermarket giant says bodes well for the Christmas season.

NSW is now of greater concern than Victoria when it comes to stifling community spread of the coronavirus, Western Australia's health minister says.

Investors in Australia's share market have enjoyed the best session since October 5, but face great uncertainty with US election results due Wednesday.

Chinese trade strikes on Australian exports have spread to timber and barley, fuelling concerns about the increasingly perilous state of the diplomatic relationship.

Western Australia's corruption watchdog is hearing fresh evidence of alleged "misappropriation" of millions of dollars by bureaucrat Paul Whyte.

UPDATE: The Reserve Bank has cut the cash rate to a record low of 0.1 per cent and says it is prepared to do more if necessary.

The CEO of a Pilbara native title group says she was disappointed by the resignation of Rio Tinto's executives following the Juukan Gorge destruction.

Unions and business groups are calling for changes to the Morrison government's JobMaker scheme to ensure it gives workers certainty and is simple for employers.

Premier Mark McGowan insists Western Australia's hospitals are ready for the state's hard borders coming down amid dire ambulance ramping figures.

Investors had modest gains on the Australian share market to start the week, but that may count for little once decisions on rates and the US election are known.

Banks will pass on as much relief to customers as they can should the Reserve Bank board cut its key interest rates on Tuesday, the peak industry body says.

Australian rock lobster exporters say business is returning to normal in China, following earlier reports of delays caused by a new inspection process.

Christine Holgate has resigned as chief executive of Australia Post after the launch of an investigation into the organisation's gift and expenses culture.

Westpac has had a 62 per cent dive in full-year cash earnings, largely from the effects of COVID-19 and its $1.3 billion penalty for breaches of money laundering and terror financing laws.

Australia could lose $3 trillion and 880,000 jobs over the next 50 years if climate change is not addressed, according to a report by Deloitte.

Australia's share market had its worst week since April, and one investment analyst has warned more trouble looms if the US election result next week takes time to unfold.

Western Australia will reopen its borders to all states and territories from November 14, but some restrictions will remain for people from NSW and Victoria.

Australia's longest-serving finance minister has officially resigned to contest the leadership of a powerful global economic advisory body.

A royal commission sparked by last summer's devastating bushfires has recommended the federal government have the power to declare a national emergency for such disasters.

Myer chair Garry Hounsell has left the company after criticism from shareholders including retail kingpin Solomon Lew.

There's late mail in the Australia Post scandal, with chief executive Christine Holgate querying the nature of the investigation into spending of gifts.

A parliamentary committee examining Rio Tinto's destruction of the ancient Juukan Gorge rock shelters will visit the sacred Western Australian sites next week.