AAP

A major investigation is under way into the "catastrophic failure" at a building site at Perth's Curtin University that left an apprentice construction worker dead and two others injured.

The Commonwealth government should not compulsorily acquire copyright for the Aboriginal flag, a Senate committee has recommended.

Australia's share market reached its highest level since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in March and finished higher for the seventh consecutive session.

Western Australia's health minister is urging the Commonwealth to take action on maritime crew arrangements after a second COVID-19 outbreak off the coast of Port Hedland.

The Nine Network has lost its bid to reduce a $3.6 million damages payout to a wealthy Queensland family defamed in an earlier report.

Cabinet minister Simon Birmingham argues the federal government has been too busy dealing with the coronavirus pandemic to establish a federal integrity commission as promised.

Gladys Berejiklian won't resign over revelations she was in a relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire, who is now the subject of a corruption probe.

Australia's share market closed higher for its sixth consecutive session, helped by bank and technology stocks, after trading flat for most of the day.

Another six crew have tested positive to COVID-19 on a vessel off the coast of Port Hedland, the second outbreak to strike Western Australia in as many weeks.

Australians itching to take an overseas holiday are being warned against planning a trip to Europe or the United States.

A COVID-stricken ship off the Western Australian coast has set sail amid a virus scare aboard another vessel.

Traditional owners of the ancient Juukan Gorge rock shelters destroyed by Rio Tinto have given emotional evidence to a parliamentary inquiry.

Anthony Albanese has outlined a plan to make child care cheaper for 97 per cent of families, while income tax cuts passed parliament.

Australia's share market had its best week since April, albeit with a flat today, after investors smiled at the federal budget and regained hope for US economic stimulus.

Controversial billionaire businessman Stanley Ho was meant to have no involvement in Crown Resorts or its proposed new Sydney casino.

Home buyers took advantage of a virus-flattened housing market in August, as borrowing rose by 12.6 per cent on the previous month.

Western Australia's economy is the envy of the nation but a second coronavirus wave remains a massive risk.

A future Labor government will pump more than $6 billion into child care, cutting costs for almost all families and allowing more women to return to work.

Australia's share market finished higher for the fourth consecutive session and major sectors thrived after a stimulus-led rally from Wall Street.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken aim at Western Australia and Queensland over their strict border closures, saying they should only be in place for health reasons.

UPDATED: The state government has promised a debt-fuelled record $27 billion infrastructure spend over the next four years in a pre-election budget.

About 2,500 new affordable homes are expected to be supported through an extra $1 billion outlined in the federal budget.

Australia's share market has closed above 6,000 points for the first time since early September after a big-spending federal budget helped widespread gains.

Australia's refugee intake has been quietly cut by 5,000 places a year, leaving advocates up in arms.

Scott Morrison denies his government's budget hinges on a coronavirus vaccine being found next year, saying various tax cuts and business incentives will roll out regardless.

Keeping Western Australians safe and creating jobs will be the major focus of a pre-election state budget that is expected to forecast a modest surplus.

Scott Morrison has defended a federal budget scheme to give bosses weekly cash payments to employ people aged under 35.

Adani is back in court over its controversial scheme to pump Galilee Basin floodwater to its Carmichael coal mining project in central Queensland.

Qantas and Jetstar have won a Federal Court case launched by a union after ordering aircraft engineers to stop work without pay amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Australia's share market has finished higher on the strength of the materials and energy sectors and a late rally before the federal budget.

Billionaire James Packer agrees he engaged in shameful and disgraceful conduct by threatening a businessman over a proposal to privatise Crown Resorts.

The gradual reopening of other state borders is making it harder to justify following suit in Western Australia, the state's chief health officer says.