AAP

The Australian share market has started the week flat following a lacklustre lead from Wall Street and another slide in iron ore prices.

Gold has settled at its lowest close of the year and other precious-metals prices have tumbled, as a surging US dollar and expectations of higher interest rates spur investors to sell.

US stocks have faced big hurdles during the week, but emerged stronger following a favourable Federal Reserve decision, a rejection of Scottish independence and a record stock offering from Chinese company Alibaba.

The Australian dollar has hit fresh six-month lows as the US dollar goes from strength to strength.

The share market has closed slightly higher as banks regained favour and investors were relieved Scotland voted against independence.

Joe Hockey insists the states will get money from a $5 billion infrastructure building initiative "no matter what".

Legal action is being taken against the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union after it allegedly stopped workers accessing the building site of the $80 million Perth International Airport expansion project.

The Australian share market has opened higher after US markets hit fresh record highs.

The Australian dollar is regaining some ground following its fall on suggestions the US could have more interest rate hikes next year.

Crude oil prices have slid as US commercial stockpiles mounted again and a report said OPEC might not cut output to deal with an oversupplied market.

The Dow and S&P 500 have bolted to fresh records on continued momentum from Wednesday's Federal Reserve decision and enthusiasm ahead of Alibaba's expected initial public offering Friday.

Gold fell Thursday to an eight-month low, while silver sank to a four-year low, as investors digested the Federal Reserve's plans for tighter monetary policy.

The Australian share market has closed marginally higher as a slightly positive performance from most of the major banks outweighed weakness in the resources sector.

A man has been sent to Royal Perth Hospital with serious burns after an explosion at a portable buildings workshop.

The forced merger of Perth's local councils shouldn't lead to higher rates, Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett claims.

Capital city land prices surged 6 per cent in the last 12 months, another factor in rapidly rising house prices.

Shares in iron ore and steel maker Arrium have dived more than 38 per cent in response to its $754 million capital raising.

Almost half of Australia's mid-sized companies could be at risk of failing within five years without innovation, a survey of company finance chiefs shows.

The Australian stock market is higher after the US Federal Reserve pledge to keep interest rates at close to zero until 2015 boosted investor sentiment.

The Australian dollar has dropped more than one US cent overnight to a fresh six-month low after the US Federal Reserve signalled more interest rate hikes next year.

Gold prices extended their losses on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened and traders mulled the Federal Reserve's policy statement.

Oil prices have dipped following mixed US crude-inventory data and reports suggesting an OPEC production cut is unlikely when the organisation meets in November.

The Dow has closed at a fresh record high after the US Federal Reserve stuck to a plan to begin raising near-zero interest rates only in 2015.

The Australian share market has closed lower for the sixth consecutive session as gains among the major miners failed to offset falls by the big four banks.

BHP Billiton won't confirm reports jobs have been axed at its Nelson Point operations in Port Hedland, but says some staff in the Pilbara town will be made redundant in coming months.

Australia's competition watchdog is taking Woolworths Holdings to court for selling faulty matches, deep fryers and other products.

Australia's longest-serving treasurer warns the country's luck is beginning to run out as wages fall and consumer pessimism grows.

The Western Australian government is poised to announce more cost-cutting measures as lower iron ore prices threaten to punch a big hole in the state's bottom line.

Australia's economy is expected to pick up pace in early 2015 as consumers become more confident and start spending again.

Foreign ownership of Qantas now stands at almost 45 per cent.

After five straight sessions finishing lower, the Australian share market has opened higher on reports of a new Chinese stimulus plan and a rise in commodity prices.

The Australian dollar has rebounded overnight, surging towards 91 US cents as the greenback takes a hit.