AAP

The federal government's plan for a national definition of COVID-19 hotspots has hit a hurdle, with Western Australia's premier describing it as flawed.

Australia Post has scrapped bonus payments for its executive team after facing pressure for asking workers to volunteer.

The state government will have the power to stop miners from disturbing significant sites under long-awaited Aboriginal cultural heritage reforms, which will also demand informed consent for traditional owners.

Australia's share market recorded its best gain since August 4 as investors shrugged off confirmation of the first recession in almost 30 years.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says being awarded hosting rights for the AFL grand final is a win for her state's response to the pandemic.

Australia's top grain exporter has been banned from sending barley to China after disputed claims pests were found in multiple shipments.

Australia's share market had its worst session in four weeks as reporting season finished, and as concerns emerged about the Aussie dollar.

JobKeeper wage subsidies are being split into a two-tiered system and extended for another six months.

Shares in insurer QBE have fallen by more than 5 per cent after its group chief executive departed following an investigation into workplace communications.

Facebook is threatening to stop Australian users from sharing news if the social media giant is forced to compensate media companies for publishing their stories.

States and territories have been urged to endorse a new definition of coronavirus hotspots as the federal government turns the screws on border closures.

Australia's share market has closed lower, but finished August higher despite a coronavirus-plagued reporting season analysts had feared would be one of the worst on record.

Online energy retailer Click Energy will be snapped up by power giant AGL Energy under a $115 million buy-out agreed with the target's owner amaysim.

Australia's troubled aged care sector will receive a $563 million boost after more than 450 deaths and ongoing political pressure on the federal government.

Wealth manager IOOF Holdings will acquire National Australia Bank's wealth business, MLC, for $1.44 billion to help save costs and expand its reach.

Rio Tinto's chief executive wants to hold talks with traditional owners in the Pilbara after the mining giant's destruction of ancient cultural sites in Western Australia.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg promises his delayed October 6 budget will be about getting people back into work.

Australia's share market finished the penultimate day of reporting season lower, as one portfolio manager questioned how much we should predict in a virus-hit economy.

Australia's disability support scheme is soon expected to become much easier to navigate for participants.

Rio Tinto has been accused by a former adviser of failing to genuinely engage with Indigenous people in the lead-up to destroying ancient Western Australian sites.

Afterpay has failed to sustain the share price spike some pundits tipped would follow its full-year results, as questions remain as to the true value of the company.

Artists are being urged to let the federal government know how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the industry.

Shares have finished higher on the Australian market on a reporting day that highlighted the winners and losers of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nine Entertainment has reported an annual net loss of more than $500 million after a challenging year when advertising earnings slumped and the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Woolworths has copped a 1.2 per cent hit to its profits as the coronavirus pandemic drives a wrecking ball through the supermarket giant's hotels division.

Flight Centre shares have fallen after the travel business reported a $510 million loss as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Supermarkets could be forced into a mandatory code of conduct for all fresh farm produce under a federal push to stamp out market imbalance.

University arts students have been told to "mix and match" subjects as the federal education minister tries to double their fees.

Investors erased almost all the gains of Australia's share market this week and sold-off banks as the main indices finished lower.

The first steps are being taken towards a so-called single-touch environmental approval system for major projects.

Clive Palmer is refusing to drop his challenge of Western Australia's border closures and has promised further legal action against Premier Mark McGowan.

Qantas is facing calls to repay millions of dollars’ worth of taxpayer-funded subsidies as it cuts loose another 2,400 workers.