AAP

An independent monitor has been appointed to oversee the operation of the Perth casino as the Crown Group works to establish its suitability to hold a casino licence.

The local share market has lost ground for a third day in a row, while the Australian dollar sank under 63 US cents for the first time since April 2020.

Several investigations have been launched following the massive Optus data breach, including one by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

The local bourse has suffered its worst losses in two weeks after solid US jobs data suggested aggressive rate hikes would continue.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has promised more oversight after identifying billions of dollars in budget blowouts and major delays in military projects.

The ASX fell 0.8 per cent on Friday but still had a 4.46 per cent gain for the week, its best weekly performance since October 2020.

The opposition says the government is trying to till the soil for changes to the stage three tax cuts.

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable has pushed back against calls by former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims for higher taxes on mining profits.

Skills Minister Brendan O'Connor says the federal government is working with businesses and state counterparts to address critical skills shortages.

The local share market has rallied for a second day on hopes aggressive interest rate hikes are finally moderating.

A warrant has been issued for former WA senator Rod Culleton after he failed to appear on charges of giving false information to federal election officials.

The central bank has shifted gears and moderated its rate hikes, with some economists concerned this could prolong the rate hiking cycle.

Staff at a West Australian university have become embroiled in an unusual industrial dispute over the right to not answer phone calls or emails.

Pilbara Minerals hit an all-time high today as lithium stocks led a strong rally on the local bourse.

Home lending has dropped 15.4 per cent since the Reserve Bank started hiking interest rates, but dwelling approvals bounced back in August.

The nation’s central bank has reacted to concerns about the pace of interest rate rises with a softer-than-expected decision, lifting the official cash rate 25 basis points to be 2.6 per cent.

The local share market has rallied more than two per cent in early trading and is on pace for its best day since January 28.

The ASX200 index has finished down 0.27 per cent, clawing back most of its morning losses after almost hitting a two-year low.

The gas industry is predicting a tripling in its bill for tax and royalties after windfall profits brought on by high prices prompted by the war in Ukraine.

The local share market has fallen again, closing the week down 1.5 per cent and for the month down 7.3 per cent.

National cabinet has agreed to get rid of mandatory five-day isolation periods for people with COVID-19.

Hopes of a smaller interest rate rise may have been premature with most experts forecasting another 50 basis point hike.

The local bourse has enjoyed its best performance in three weeks after the Bank of England took emergency measures to stabilise markets.

Global economies should not give up on corporate tax despite the challenges of collecting taxes from large multinationals skilled at exploiting tax havens.

Australia's largest electricity generator AGL Energy will go "net zero" after abandoning plans to split into two companies.

The local bourse has fallen to its lowest level since June 20, resuming its downward action as soaring bond yields continue to press on equities.

The Australian share market has resumed its downwards action, with the local bourse closing at its lowest level since June 20 as soaring bond yields continue to press on equities.

Businesses dabbling in price fixing and other anti-competitive behaviour will be hit with harsher punishments under proposed legislation.

The Australian share market finished 0.4 per cent higher, a modest recovery after its three-day sell-off.

The shadow treasurer says higher taxes will hinder business innovation and put a handbrake on the economy.

The sensitive details of 10,000 Australian customers have reportedly been released by the hackers behind last week's massive Optus data breach.

After taking a break for the public holiday, the local share market has picked up where it left off - by sinking lower as central bank rate hikes weigh on sentiment.