AAP

West Australians unable to work while in COVID-19 quarantine will be eligible for a payment under a deal struck with the federal government.

The Australian share market finished around the day's highs in what appeared to be investors taking a punt on positive news coming out after the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting later on Wednesday.

Western Australia will consider again using Rottnest Island to house returned travellers amid tension between the state and Commonwealth over quarantine arrangements.

A senior private sector adviser to Scott Morrison has warned the Australian government to temper its public comments about China.

Almost two-thirds of medium-sized companies are concerned economic activity faces a significant decline, resulting in even higher unemployment, when the federal government unwinds its COVID-19 stimulus measures.

Qantas is considering moving and downsizing its offices and aviation facilities within Australia as part of continued efforts to cut costs amid the pandemic.

Premier Mark McGowan has come under fire for suggesting returning overseas travellers should quarantine alongside detainees at Christmas Island.

Qantas is considering moving and downsizing its offices and aviation facilities within Australia as part of continued efforts to cut costs amid the pandemic.

Aussie shares finished flat but it was the dollar that climbed; the Aussie rose above 73 US cents following better than expected economic data from China.

Scott Morrison is promising to build a gas power plant in the NSW Hunter Valley if the private sector does not step in.

More than $5 million was fraudulently acquired by a former Fremantle Ports employee who remains on the run overseas, Western Australian police believe.

At least 145,000 jobs could be lost if pandemic-boosted welfare payments are slashed, a new report says.

Miners and energy companies helped shares close higher on the Australian market as investors continue to hope for an end to four consecutive weeks of losses.

The nation's coronavirus death toll has pushed beyond 800 as border closures and the heartbreak they create continue to cause friction between federal and state leaders.

The company with exclusive commercial licensing rights of the Aboriginal flag is in discussions with a federal government agency over use of the design.

Australia's share market has fallen to its fourth consecutive week of losses after a negative day session in which banks and miners had losses of more than one per cent.

Australia's second largest bank, Westpac, believes the $900 million it has set aside for an eventual settlement with financial regulator AUSTRAC over breached anti-money laundering laws is adequate.

The Morrison government hopes a deal with Germany will help pave the way for Australia's hydrogen industry.

Four in five people living on pandemic-boosted welfare payments will be forced to skip meals if the coronavirus supplement is cut.

Health Minister Greg Hunt is confident a pause in one of the world's most promising coronavirus vaccine candidates will not delay Australia accessing the drug.

Australia's share market has finished higher, although some investors were underwhelmed by easing values throughout the session after a good lead from US markets.

Myer has reported a full-year loss of $172.4 million after sales fell more than 15 per cent from temporary store closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A parliamentary inquiry into Rio Tinto's destruction of ancient cultural sites will continue as a crunch board meeting looms for the mining giant.

Western Australia will extend COVID-19 emergency laws preventing residential and commercial tenants from eviction, despite opposition from industry groups.

As Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt holds talks to buy the rights to the Aboriginal flag, a Senate committee is preparing to offer him some ideas.

A parliamentary inquiry into Rio Tinto's destruction of ancient cultural sites could be stalled for months as the mining giant faces growing shareholder pressure.

Australia's share market sunk from the beginning of trade and never recovered, after US investors continued to sell the technology stocks that have helped Wall Street to record highs.

Australians may need to wait longer than expected for coronavirus vaccinations after late-stage trials of one promising drug were put on hold.

Incentives for businesses to invest and create jobs will be at the heart of the federal budget, a Morrison government minister says.

Australia's share market has closed more than one per cent higher and above 6,000 points after a late flurry from investors.

A Perth childcare centre has been fined $15,000 after three toddlers sustained severe burns to their feet during a fire drill on a hot day last summer.

Premier Mark McGowan has defended Western Australia's COVID-19 contact tracing capacity after Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared to question the state's readiness for an outbreak.