AAP

Ambulance ramping at Perth hospitals has not eased since the opening of the new $2 billion public facility at Murdoch, the state government concedes.

Global aluminium giant Alcoa has swung back to profit and struck a new energy supply deal in a positive sign for its Australian business.

The construction sector activity has risen for the first time in five months, helped by a surge in apartment block building.

The Australian stock market is flat with energy stocks weaker on heavy oil price falls.

Western Australia might end co-operation with Canberra if it fails to win changes to the way GST revenue is distributed to the states and territories.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after the US central bank failed to give a clear indication on when it will raise its interest rate.

Gold has extended losses, falling below $US1,200 an ounce after US Federal Reserve minutes revealed an interest rate rise could take place as early as June, causing the US dollar to turn higher.

Another huge rise in US stockpiles and record oil output in Saudi Arabia has sent crude prices tumbling.

US stocks have risen as a big Royal Dutch Shell acquisition and a large potential pharma deal offset concerns about earnings season and US monetary policy.

Australians would pay more for power at peak times, like hot days, and fork out extra at petrol stations under a government blueprint to grow the energy sector.

Myer could have a new owner by Christmas, with billionaire Solomon Lew and private equity groups engaged in a bidding war for the troubled department store.

Labor has thrown its weight behind an industry compromise on the renewable energy target, but the federal government isn't budging on its lower aim.

The share market has been boosted by stronger iron ore and crude oil prices.

Lawyers suing Australia's banks over hundreds of millions of dollars in excessive fees have vowed to go to the High Court after a landmark win against ANZ Banking Group was overturned.

The federal government has approved the $1.15 billion sale of construction giant John Holland to Chinese interests.

Gold miner Evolution Mining says it will make a voluntary debt repayment of $35 million as a falling Australian dollar helps it generate cash.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

The Australian dollar is lower after briefly hitting a one-week high on the back of the Reserve Bank's decision to keep the cash rate unchanged.

Gold has edged lower as the US dollar recovers and global shares rise, but uncertainty about the timing of a US interest rate increase has $kept bullion not far from a seven-week high above $US1,200 an ounce.

US stocks have finished modestly lower as cautious sentiment about earnings season offset major deals involving FedEx and Informatica.

Crude oil has closed solidly higher, with the US futures contract hitting their highest point so far this year on expectations of a decline in US production.

The share market has given up most of the strong gains made in morning trade after the Reserve Bank kept the cash rate on hold.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held fire once again but economists say another interest rate cut is definitely on the way.

BHP Billiton has appointed four new non-executive directors to the board of its South32 spin-off company.

Low interest rates and cheap petrol have fuelled a nationwide spending spree, with retail spending growing at its strongest pace in five months.

The Australian share market has opened nearly one per cent higher.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after disappointing US employment figures eased speculation of an interest rate rise by the Federal Reserve.

Wall Street stocks have risen on easing concerns about Federal Reserve interest rate increases and as petroleum-linked equities surged on higher oil prices.

Oil prices have bolted higher on doubts last week's nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers will soon lift crude supplies.

The share market has closed higher as prices for commodities such as gold and copper improved, though iron ore continued its fall.

Austal has received funding to construct two more US Navy ships, a day after it was announced it was shedding jobs in Australia.

Mining equipment supplier Bradken has rejected a takeover offer from private equity group Pacific Equity Partners and US-based Koch Industries, which valued the company at $427 million.