AAP

Four toxic cane toads have been found in a truck carrying sandalwood at a Perth freight depot.

Junking Centrelink's antiquated computer system could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in Perth today.

Job advertisements have risen for the ninth month in a row, but ANZ Banking Group still expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates at its next meeting.

The Australian sharemarket has fallen after US markets closed lower on increased prospects of an American interest rate rise.

Gold has fallen nearly three per cent to a three-month low after stronger-than-expected US non-farm payrolls fuelled expectation the Federal Reserve will raise rates sooner rather than later, and the US dollar jumped to an 11-and-a-half-year high.

The Australian dollar has sunk to its lowest level in six years following surprisingly strong US jobs figures.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower after weaker iron ore prices weighed on the resources sector and investors await the release of jobs data in the US.

The share market has opened flat as strength in high-yield bank stocks is balanced out by weak energy and mining sectors.

Gold has eased, changing direction and falling below $US1,200 an ounce as short-covering dried up after buoying prices following the European Central Bank's (ECB) announcement that it will lift its 2016 inflation forecast.

The Australian dollar has dropped back below 78 US cents following a surge in the greenback and suggestions that the Reserve Bank is willing and able to cut rates again.

US stocks have snapped a two-day losing streak, finishing higher on news of European monetary stimulus and a $21 billion pharmaceutical merger.

The share market has closed flat as consumer related stocks led an afternoon recovery on a rise in retail spending during January.

Cheaper petrol has given Australians more cash to splash and economists say the tills could keep ringing as interest rates head lower.

The battle for sponsorship support at Sculpture by the Sea has continued for another year, after iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart chose not to continue her financial backing for the exhibition on Cottesloe Beach, preferring to support two sporting groups.

A major report on Australia's ageing population says growth and prosperity will suffer unless more older people and women are encouraged into the workforce and government spending is brought under control, but Treasurer Joe Hockey insists the best years are ahead of us.

The local bourse has opened in the red following losses from market heavyweights BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group is shoring up its balance sheet by refinancing $US2.5 billion ($A3.2 billion) of debt.

US stocks have fallen for a second day after a run that saw new Dow and S&P records and a 15-year high for the Nasdaq.

US oil prices have rallied despite a larger-than expected jump in the country's crude stockpiles last week, which hit a new record high.

The Australian dollar has reached a new record low against the New Zealand dollar ahead of Thursday night's European Central Bank policy meeting.

Gold prices have fallen, heading for a third day of losses, as the US dollar extend gains versus the euro after US economic data.

The Australian share market has finished lower as three major stocks trade ex-dividend and economic growth figures disappointed investors.

Economic growth figures released today have vindicated the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to cut interest rates in February and to leave more cuts on the agenda.

Macquarie Group wants to raise $500 million to help fund its $US4 billion acquisition of the AWAS aircraft operating lease portfolio.

Australia must not let anger undermine its relationship with Indonesia if Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are executed, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Joe Hockey's 40-year outlook for the Australian economy looks set to become a political tool rather than an informative report on the future.

The sharemarket is in the red after initially opening higher, dragged down by the miners and weak leads from Wall Street.

Wall Street stocks have retreated from record peaks, losing ground after lacklustre US car sales.

Oil prices have turned higher on unrest in exporter Libya and as the market expected another rise in US inventories.

Gold is down a shade, following a brief bout of selling in choppy dealings after the metal had recovered from early losses that pulled it below $US1,200 an ounce.

The Australian dollar remains above 78 US cents after the Reserve Bank's surprise decision to keep rates on hold at 2.25 per cent.

The share market has fallen from its seven year high after the central bank unexpectedly left the cash rate on hold.