AAP

The local share market has suffered its biggest drop in more than a month after official statistics showed inflation has picked up, raising doubts about whether domestic rate cuts will occur at all this year.

Australia's central bank is yet to bring inflation to heel and fresh monthly consumer price data should hopefully hint at a little more progress.

The Australian share market has finished lower as traders digested weaker-than-expected domestic retail trade figures showing that consumers continue to be cautious with their spending.

Taxpayers need an assurance of no misuse of funds by Australia's peak environmental litigation group, the coalition says, as details of an investigation remain classified.

The local share market has rebounded from four-straight days of losses, with gains nearly across the board after a report over the weekend showed US inflation expectations easing.

The Western Australia Liberal Party has poured cold water on the federal coalition's plan for nuclear power in the state, while backing coal to keep the lights on.

The Australian share market has dropped across the board to post its worst losses in more than three weeks as hopes fade for mid-year interest rate cuts.

The ASX200 has dropped 0.5 per cent after US Federal Reserve minutes showed some officials were willing to raise interest rates.

The Australian share market has given up its early gains to finish basically unchanged after central bankers across the ditch pushed back the timing of interest rate cuts.

The cost of building a large-scale nuclear power plant in Australia would be at least $8.5 billion, according to the CSIRO and the energy market operator.

The ASX200 finished down 0.2 per cent amid layoffs by Telstra and underwhelming earnings reports from James Hardie and Sonic Healthcare.

Telecommunications giant Telstra will axe up to nine per cent of its workforce in a bid to save hundreds of millions of dollars.

The ASX200 has started the week in positive territory, with the mining sector posting strong gains after copper and gold both hit all-time highs.

The peak union body has called on the Fair Work Commission to enshrine the right to disconnect outside of work hours to be included in modern awards.

The ASX200 has fallen 0.9 per cent, giving up half of Thursday's gains, but still finished the week 0.8 per cent higher.

US stocks have closed lower after the Dow index reached an intra-day high of 40,000.

The ASX has hit a six-week high with the energy sector the only loser in a day of gains across the ASX.

The full bench of the Federal Court is due to rule on whether Australia's environment minister must scrutinise climate harms from new fossil fuel projects.

Pathology chains have lost ground while major miners made gains following the federal budget, with the ASX200 overall finishing 0.4 per cent higher.

The ASX200 dipped 0.3 per cent as traders wait to see if US inflation has cooled.

A second budget in the black will deliver a near $10 billion surplus as well as cost-of-living relief for struggling Australians dealing with increasing prices.

A second budget in the black will deliver a near $10 billion surplus as well as cost-of-living relief for struggling Australians dealing with increasing prices.

The ASX200 finished basically unchanged on the eve of the federal budget and ahead of a readout on US inflation later in the week.

Inflation will drop below three per cent by the end of the year, back within the Reserve Bank's target band, but there are further challenges ahead.

Gas companies and the big four banks all rose on the back of energy policy announcements and a hold in interest rates.

The federal treasurer acknowledges some people can't afford to have more children and is committed to helping families to do so, if that's what they want.

The ASX200 fell 1.1 per cent, with the consumer discretionary sector suffering its worst loss in 16 months on several trading updates.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti is expected to reveal a healthy but slimmer surplus and spending to fight inflation in the WA budget.

The ASX200 closed marginally higher across most sectors as a medical tech company recorded eight per cent growth in one day.

Price inflation has moderated as the supermarkets contend with criticism, including a government report that recommends breaking up the industry's big players.

The ASX200 finished up across the board after the Reserve Bank elected to hold fire on raising interest rates despite fears of lingering inflation.

Workers are being warned to be wary of cold callers using dodgy tactics to bait them into switching super products at the detriment of their retirement savings.