AAP

Consumers are still down in the dumps although fresh inflation data is expected to point to easing cost-of-living pressures.

The Australian share market has finished down 0.1 per cent after another day of quiet trading, ahead of the Anzac Day public holiday on Tuesday.

A declassified version of a major defence review has recommended Australia shift its focus to long-range missiles and onshore ammunition manufacturing.

Western Australia will add 130 locally-built electric buses to its fleet and upgrade key depots, with help from the federal government.

The local bourse closed down 0.4 per cent for both the day and the week after days of quiet trading.

The oil and gas industry has pushed back on possible federal budget changes to tax settings that could see the industry pay more.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will meet with leading investors, banks and climate advocates to secure stronger investments in clean energy projects.

The ASX200 has finished down just 0.04 per cent in a second day of quiet trading.

A major overhaul of the Reserve Bank will create a board for setting interest rates that's more accountable and holds fewer meetings.

The local share market has finished basically unchanged, with gains for mining companies balances by losses elsewhere.

US stocks have closed little changed as investors digested earnings results from several firms amid recession concerns.

The local share market has fallen 0.3 per cent, in just its third day of losses over the past 15 sessions.

Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres has used a speech at a business forum to outline the strengths of Australia's economic relationship with the Solomon Islands.

The turnaround in the property market, the strong jobs market and an interest rate pause has done little to lighten the load felt by consumers.

The ASX has finished up 0.3 per cent to close at its best level since February 16 after gaining ground for 10 out of the past 12 sessions.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the upcoming federal budget will come at a time of some of the lowest global growth in decades.

US stocks have closed lower as investors digested earnings from three major banks and retail sales data.

Australian shares recovered from an early trading dip to close out the session higher for its third straight week of gains after posting a 0.2 per cent rise.

The Australian share market slipped further into the red following the release of ABS monthly employment data amid concerns about another interest rate hike.

The national unemployment rate has stayed put at 3.5 per cent while Western Australia recorded a modest uptick in the number of people in work.

The federal government says up to $300 billion of hydrogen projects are in the pipeline in Australia, claiming the country is poised to become a green energy superpower.

Australian stocks gained ground by the close on Wednesday despite a mixed session on Wall Street ahead of critical US inflation data.

Despite a downbeat economic forecast, Australia should weather the worst of a weak international outlook due to low unemployment and high commodity prices.

Worksites and communities are being evacuated as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa builds in intensity and moves towards the Western Australian coast.

The local share market has ended Tuesday on a high, turning around losses suffered ahead of the Easter break when the bourse snapped eight days of gains.

Newmont's all-scrip bid for Newcrest now values the Melbourne-based goldminer at $32 billion, not including its debt.

Workers in the hospitality, health care, postal and freight sectors are facing serious financial stress to keep up with rising rents, a new report has found.

The Australia Institute claims more than 90 per cent of economic benefits are going to the top 10 per cent of Australians, a number vastly different from other recent research.

The Australian Securities Exchange snapped its longest streak of gains since 2017 heading into the Easter long weekend after overseas markets weakened.

Defence Minister Richard Marles is heading to Wellington for talks on security, as New Zealand examines joining part of the AUKUS agreement.

The Australian Securities Exchange has rallied to continue its win streak after tipping into the green at the close.

The federal government is targeting budget support measures at specific groups as it looks to balance competing priorities.