AAP

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.

The local share market has suffered another day of heavy losses with WA gold miners finishing up as the strongest performers of the session.

A senior Reserve Bank official says the prevalence of fixed-rate loans and sizeable savings buffers are likely extending the lag time of interest rate hikes.

The ASX has finished higher for the day but dropped more than two per cent for the week after suffering its longest streak of weekly losses since the GFC.

Westpac, St. George, HSBC, JP Morgan and AMP now expect the Reserve Bank won't raise rates in April - but ANZ and CBA still forecast a rate hike.

A review into Australia's woeful productivity performance is expected to contain 71 reform recommendations to lift pay packets and boost national prosperity.

Younger generations are bearing the brunt of high prices but some say the cost of living crisis may have passed its peak.

The ASX has finished 1.5 per cent lower after banking contagion spread to Europe.

Fresh labour market data shows the unemployment rate falling back to 3.5 per cent, with 65,000 jobs added.

Fresh labour market data shows the unemployment rate falling back to 3.5 per cent, with 65,000 jobs added.

The local share market had its best day in two months, rising 0.9 per cent following three days of losses amid fears about the stability of US banks.

FTI Consulting says parties beyond Andrew Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes have expressed interest in buying the mammoth solar project known as Sun Cable.

High inflation, rising interest rates and falling consumer demand is putting Australian businesses under increasing stress.

The local share market finished down 1.4 per cent, although the ASX200 managed to close just slightly above the key 7,000 level.

Consumers are feeling wobbly after the Reserve Bank's tenth interest rate hike in a row and amid stubborn inflation.

Billions of dollars will be ploughed into Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program with WA to benefit from a significant chunk of the largesse.