AAP

Premier Colin Barnett says he fully supports Transport Minister Dean Nalder, who is under review for a potential conflict of interest.

The federal government is happy to look at any future proposal for a nuclear power plant, but won't be offering taxpayer support.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott concedes there's pressure on the budget that wasn't there at the start of 2014.

NBN Co has named the next 460 suburbs and towns to get the new-look National Broadband Network.

The Australian share market is lower as oil stocks again suffer a pummelling, following OPEC's decision not to cut production.

A free fall in petroleum stocks was the most striking element of an otherwise lacklustre week on Wall Street.

Gold has neared a two-week low as weaker oil prices and a firmer US dollar pressure investors' appetites for protection from inflation.

The Australian dollar is under pressure against a stronger greenback.

The share market has suffered its largest fall in seven weeks as energy stocks were punished on weaker oil prices.

Shares in Australia's oil and gas players are being hammered as tumbling crude prices prompt investors to re-examine major resources projects.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has called on business leaders to speak up against government regulations she says are making it harder for Australia to compete.

The Australian share market has opened sharply lower as oil stocks were pummelled following OPEC's decision not to cut production.

Rio Tinto has deferred making an investment decision on its proposed billion-dollar new iron ore mine in West Australia's Pilbara region but is sticking with plans to ramp up production of the commodity.

The Australian dollar is lower, weighed down by a big fall in the prices of oil and other commodity prices.

Gold has fallen to the lowest level in a week as assets in the largest exchange-traded product backed by the metal shrank to the smallest in more than six years. Silver, platinum and palladium also decreased.

The Australian share market has finished flat as sagging oil and iron ore prices weighed on energy and mining stocks.

Electronics retailer Dick Smith is on track to lift half year sales by about 10 per cent.

Sea water is flowing into a mine pit in Western Australia after a wall gave way.

Retail giant Woolworths is on track to lift its annual profit by up to 7 per cent despite softer-than-expected first quarter sales.

Adelaide-based Beach Energy has recruited Woodside Petroleum's second most senior executive, Rob Cole, as its new chief executive.

The Australian share market is marginally higher, with the major banks stronger but most of the big miners weaker.

The Dow and S&P 500 have edged higher to new records following a stream of mixed US economic data.

Some weak US economic data has helped the Australian dollar rebound after it dropped below 85 US cents for the first time in four years.

Gold prices are virtually unchanged in quiet, pre-holiday trade as investors find little direction in lacklustre US economic data and a flat stock market.

US oil prices have fallen to a new four-year low on growing expectations that OPEC will not take significant action in response to lower oil prices.

A Perth garden fertiliser company has been fined $100,000 after a worker was crushed to death.

The share market has rebounded to break November's downward trend, with gains made in every sector.

A mix of both residential and fly-in fly-out workforces is necessary to keep mines competitive, industry giant says.

BC Iron has shed three board members, including its first managing director, to help reduce costs as iron ore prices plunge.

Cabcharge is urging governments to act against ride sharing service Uber, labelling it "illegal and unsafe" and accusing it of tax avoidance.

Mount Gibson Iron has placed its shares in a trading halt amid ongoing problems at its Koolan Island mine.

Mining services business Ausdrill is slicing $28 million off its revenue forecast after a customer decided to postpone operations in Africa.