AAP

CBH Group has confirmed half a tonne of canola grain was spilt into Cockburn Sound last month, as Fisheries experts continue to probe why more than 1,500 dead fish have washed up in Perth's south.

The Australian share market has finished flat after the major banks failed to hold onto strong gains and as the energy stocks suffered steep falls.

Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial has announced a $715 million takeover bid for Australian contractor Broadspectrum, which was formerly known as Transfield Services.

The services sector has driven the fourth consecutive month rise in employment advertisements.

Tax breaks for risk-taking businesses and a boost in science spending lie at the heart of a four-year $1.1 billion innovation package designed to drive an "ideas boom" in Australia.

Australian shares have opened more than one per cent higher after US jobs data at the end of last week gave further support to the idea of a Federal Reserve rate hike this month.

The Australian dollar is higher after US jobs data showed a decent rise in the number of people with jobs in the world's largest economy.

Gold has risen more than two per cent to its highest in nearly three weeks after a US non-farm payrolls report, seen as likely to pave the way for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this month, failed to aid the US dollar's ascent.

The Australian share market has closed sharply lower after overseas markets fell on the European Central Bank's latest economic stimulus.

A third-party arbitrator will be called in to settle a dispute between Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill Holdings and its key construction contractor, Samsung C&T.

Subsidiaries of listed companies Ausdrill and RCR Tomlinson have been ordered to pay more than $450,000 in fines and court costs over two workplace deaths five years ago.

Australian retail spending rose 0.5 per cent in October, official figures show, which beat economists' expectations.

Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon says it's an opportune time for Matthew Pavlich to hand over the captaincy, with Nat Fyfe and David Mundy the leading contenders to replace him at the AFL club.

The Australian share market has opened more than 1.5 per cent lower following big falls overseas in reaction to the European Central Bank's latest policy easing measures.

US and European stocks have closed down sharply and the euro enjoyed its biggest one-day percentage rise in well over six years as investors reacted to the European Central Bank's latest policy easing measures.

The Australian dollar has hit a seven-week high, as traders largely ignore weak local data and focus on the steady interest rate outlook.

Gold has bounced from near six-year lows in line with a sharp rebound in the euro, rising one per cent after the European Central Bank (ECB) announced the minimum cut in its deposit rate that investors had been expecting.

Andrew Forrest wants Australia's looming free trade agreement with India to include a commitment to tackling modern slavery within the world's seventh largest economy.

Commodity price weakness has pushed the Australian share market lower as the big miners suffered sizeable falls.

The first shipment of iron ore from Gina Rinehart's $10 billion Roy Hill project has been delayed because of commissioning and safety issues.

A fall in mining export volumes has blown out the trade deficit to $3.3 billion in October.

Australia could face a sharp decline in home construction that may lead to an easing in prices, a HIA report says.

Passengers have fled from a burning bus during morning peak hour traffic in Alexander Heights, with the vehicle completely destroyed in the blaze.

The Turnbull government is set to impose tougher tax-avoidance rules on business after securing a deal with the Greens.

The Australian share market has opened slightly lower as investors await figures on the performance of the Australian economy.

Gold fell to its lowest in nearly six years, extending losses as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she was "looking forward" to an interest rate hike that will mark the US economy's recovery from recession.

The Australian dollar is flat after heightened speculation about a US interest rate hike caused the currency to lose all the gains made on the back of local economic growth data.

Shares in cleaning, catering and maintenance provider Spotless have plunged by 40 per cent after it stunned investors with a profit warning.

BHP Billiton plans to almost halve its costs at Olympic Dam over the next two years but says it will double capacity over the long term.

The Australian share market has finished slightly lower after huge losses among Spotless and Cardno weighed on the industrial sector.

Santos will tap investors for around $585 million to meet a shortfall in its $2.5 billion rights entitlement offer.

The Australian share market has opened slightly lower as investors await figures on the performance of the Australian economy.