AAP

Oil has climbed for a seventh straight session as a decrease in the US rig count and stronger demand data from China lifted depressed prices that still finished the first half with the biggest decline for that period since 1998.

The Australian share market has fallen sharply amid profit taking and a weak overseas lead on the last day of the financial year.

South32 has again suspended operations at its Appin underground coal mine in NSW over concerns of a build-up of methane gas levels.

The Australian share market has opened sharply lower, after an overnight decline on Wall Street and some profit taking on the last day of the financial year.

The Australian dollar has continued to climber against its US counterpart, which has fallen for a second straight day, thanks to the rebounding iron ore price.

Oil futures have ended slightly higher, extending crude's rally to a sixth straight session after a decline in weekly US crude production temporarily eased concerns about deepening oversupply.

Gold prices have fallen as signs that central banks may scale back their ultra-loose monetary policy pushed bond yields higher on both sides of the Atlantic, though a decline in the US dollar to its lows for the year lent support.

The Australian share market is still performing strongly, fuelled by the big banks and miners, despite losing of its early momentum.

The boss of beleaguered law firm Slater & Gordon has quit and the board will be cleaned out under a shake-up that passes almost full ownership of the company to its lenders.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has rejected warnings the Liberals would face an electoral wipeout in Western Australia if the federal government doesn’t give the state more GST money.

The Australian share market has opened sharply higher, mimicking an overnight climb on Wall Street where the S&P 500 had its best one-day percentage gain in about two months.

The Australian dollar is up almost half a cent against its weakening US counterpart amid a surge in the prices of iron ore and oil.

Oil futures have climbed more than 1 per cent to their highest in more than a week as buyers were encouraged by a small weekly decrease in US production and shrugged off a surprise build in crude inventories in the world's top oil consumer.

Gold prices have risen as the US dollar has weakened for a second straight day following a global cyber attack and a delay to US healthcare legislation that fuelled doubts about President Donald Trump's ability to pass measures expected to boost the economy.

The Australian share market has overcome a sluggish start to close higher, as a rally in iron ore and oil prices boosted mining and energy stocks.

A manager at a roofing company has been fined $7,500 plus costs of $517 after a labourer suffered multiple fractures in a five-metre fall through a skylight in Perth.

Newcrest Mining has partially restarted operations at its Cadia East mine in NSW, which had been shut after an earthquake in April.

The Australian share market is flat in early trade as investor sentiment remains cautious following an overnight decline on Wall Street.

Oil prices have risen nearly 2 per cent and hit a one-week high, boosted by a weaker dollar, short covering and expectations that crude inventories in the United States may decline for a third consecutive week.

The Australian dollar is lower against its US counterpart, dropping back below 76 US cents.

Gold has risen after hitting a six-week low in the previous session as bargain hunting set in and the US dollar slid sharply after the US Senate postponed a planned healthcare vote.

The local share market has closed marginally lower after a shaky start as broad-based losses held back gains in financial and mining stocks.

Blackmores has confirmed the departure of chief executive Christine Holgate to Australia Post, and has drafted in former head Marcus Blackmore to temporarily fill the gap.

China's Yancoal looks to have sealed a deal for Rio Tinto's NSW coal operations after raising its offer price to $US2.69 billion ($A3.55 billion) to top a rival offer from global miner Glencore.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has followed its peers by raising its variable rates for interest-only mortgages, becoming the last of the big four banks to adjust its rates mix in an attempt to slow down riskier lending.

Seven West Media has appointed John Driscoll as its regional chief executive for Western Australia. 

The Australian share market has started the day weaker, pushed down by losses in the healthcare and mining sectors.

The Australian dollar is higher against a strengthening US dollar which rebounded after earlier losses on weaker-than-expected US economic data.

Oil prices have settled more than half a per cent higher as some traders find bargains after last week's seven-month lows, but rising crude supply in the United States and other countries has limited gains.

Gold has tumbled to its lowest price in nearly six weeks as a large sell order hit sentiment, though losses were limited by political uncertainty around the world.

The Australian share market has closed steady amid modest gains from the heavyweight banking and mining sectors.

Three Australian employees of Crown Resorts could be released from a Chinese jail within months after being handed nine and 10-month sentences for gambling-related offences.