AAP

The ASX200 rose 0.9 per cent to close at a 13-day high after US Fed chairman Jerome Powell's dovish remarks.

Critical minerals, battery manufacturing, renewable hydrogen, and green metals have been flagged as net zero industry priorities by the federal treasurer.

The local share market has finished 0.85 per cent higher in its best performance in three weeks, as a Federal Reserve announcement on rate hikes looms.

An independent assessment of Australia's economy suggests interest rates will need to lift higher and governments will need to pitch in to bring inflation down.

The local share market finished October down 3.8 per cent, its third straight month of losses and worst monthly performance in more than a year.

Unions and major companies are going head to head over proposed labour hire laws, with the latter arguing higher pay rates will threaten business viability.

The mood among consumers has soured further, with many particularly worried about the health of their finances in the short term.

The local share market has closed 0.8 per cent lower amid fears the conflict in the oil-rich Middle East could spread to neighbouring countries.

Murray Watt says negotiations are continuing to lift tariffs imposed by China on Australian products, as the prime minister prepares to visit Beijing.

The local share market has closed slightly higher for the day, but finished the week down 1.1 per cent after hitting a one-year low on Thursday.

The local share market has finished at its lowest level in a year amid war in the Middle East, rising bond yields and expectations of more rate hikes.

Australian shares gave up their gains after a hotter-than-expected domestic inflation report dramatically increased the odds of another rate hike next month.

The prime minister has announced a $2 billion investment in the critical minerals industry as part of the government's plan to transition to renewable energy.

The ASX200 finished up 0.2 per cent as bond yields fell and Israel failed to launch its anticipated ground invasion of Gaza.

Marked down goods may be nudging more consumers to splash out even as household balance sheets remain under pressure.

The prime minister's visit to the United States has unlocked a $A5 billion deal with tech giant Microsoft to build a cyber shield and upskill Australians.

The ASX200 has fallen 0.8 per cent to its lowest level in 51 weeks as fighting worsens in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will discuss the AUKUS partnership with US lawmakers as part of his focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

The local share market lost 1.2 per cent on the day and 2.1 per cent for the week on rising US bond yields and broader fighting in the Middle East.

US stocks have dropped after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the economy's strength and tight labour markets could warrant further rate hikes.

The ASX200 has fallen below 7000, again putting the benchmark index in the red for the year, amid fears about the conflict in the Middle East.

Qantas has thrown in the towel on its attempt to buy charter operator Alliance Aviation after the deal was opposed by the ACCC.

The unemployment rate has edged lower to 3.6 per cent from 3.7 per cent as more people move into the labour force.

The local share market has climbed for a second straight day, rising 0.3 per cent as China announced its economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter.

Chevron workers in Western Australia have endorsed a series of draft enterprise agreements rather than go ahead with a planned strike at gas plants.

The local share market finished up 0.4 per cent, with stronger gains fading after the Reserve Bank highlighted it had a "low tolerance" to inflation.

Mining giant Rio Tinto says it remains on track to hit the upper half of its original forecast for 2023 iron ore shipments.

A national skills agreement will seek to train more Australians in high growth sectors, including in green energy, the care sector and digitisation.

Market sentiment has turned as Israel prepares to launch its counter-offensive, with the ASX finishing down 0.35 per cent.

Former WA MP James Hayward will spend at least 16 and a half months behind bars for sexually abusing a girl aged between six and eight.

Both sides of politics are pledging to focus on closing the Indigenous disadvantage gap after a referendum to constitutionally enshrine an advisory body failed.

The Australian share market has closed 0.6 per cent lower following a slightly hotter-than-expected US inflation report that put rate hikes back on the table.