AAP

New data shows fewer rental homes are available for tenants with prices rising nationally in the first three months of the year.

Australian shares are near all-time highs following the Reserve Bank's decision to keep interest rates unchanged after 10 consecutive hikes.

A round of trade talks is being held between Australian and Chinese officials as Canberra works to ease diplomatic tensions with Beijing.

Ahead of a key party room meeting about the Indigenous voice, Peter Dutton faces pressure to allow MPs a free vote on supporting the proposal.

The local bourse has finished 0.6 per cent higher to close at a three-and-half-week high ahead of the Reserve Bank meeting on interest rate hikes.

Oil prices soared on Monday, posing a new inflation problem for the global economy.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the Liberal Party must change course from its increasingly right-wing agenda driving voters away.

The ASX200 has recorded its first weekly gain by the close since February, finishing 3.2 per cent higher than where it was last week.

The federal government will advocate for a wage lift that stops low-paid workers going backwards as business groups worry about higher wage bills.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has set the parameters for his 2022-23 budget, laying out eight key priorities that must be addressed in the near and longer term.

The Australian Securities Exchange finished up one per cent, with every sector except property in the green, as global banking fears ease.

Changes to the safeguard mechanism putting a hard cap on pollution from big emitters have passed the Senate with the support of the Greens and crossbenchers.

Companies with 100 or more employees will be required to publish their gender pay gaps as part of the government's effort to improve workplace gender equality.

A new investigation aims to spot hurdles preventing small businesses from competing fairly for the federal government's $80.8 billion annual procurement market.

The Reserve Bank could be facing legislative changes under a review, due to be handed to Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Friday.

The local share market has climbed out of the red to finish 0.2 per cent higher after February's domestic inflation readout came in cooler than expected.

The government is celebrating a major policy win after it secured the votes to pass its $15 billion national reconstruction fund in the Senate.

The local bourse has finished one per cent higher on M&A activity involving Origin Energy, United Malt Group and Liontown Resources.

High living costs and rising interest rates have kept discretionary spending subdued in the month of February.

Consumer confidence is still being battered by high living costs and rising interest rates, the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan weekly survey shows.

The local share market has finished up just 0.1 per cent, with oil producers and coalminers dropping as Labor and the Greens reached accord on a climate deal.

The Greens will back Labor's safeguard mechanism laws after a deal was struck, creating new hurdles for oil and gas projects but helping manufacturers.

Failing to swap to a better home loan rate could be costing mortgage holders hundreds of dollars extra per month.

The local share market has fallen 0.2 per cent for the day and 0.6 per cent for the week, with its losing streak the longest since the Global Financial Crisis.

Private sector activity is softening as rising interest rates, high inflation and softer economic conditions erode demand.

The local share market has finished down 0.7 per cent after Fed chair Jerome Powell said more rate hikes might be needed this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the wording of a referendum to change the constitution enabling an Indigenous voice to parliament and government.

The local share market has finished up 0.9 per cent, hitting a seven-day high ahead of a momentous Federal Reserve meeting.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has urged Australia to take bold steps to transform its energy sector after the latest United Nations report on global warming.

Leading indicators for Australia's future growth are still signalling depressed activity in coming months as interest rate rises bite.

The local share market has finished up 0.8 per cent, after giving back some of its gains in the late afternoon.

The local share market was up 1.3 per cent at midday, with most sectors gaining ground after several days of heavy losses.