AAP

Australia will seek a free trade agreement with the European Union, as Tony Abbott pledged to take a "strong and effective" plan to the 2015 climate summit in Paris.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has lost her bid to keep secret details of her two estranged children's latest court challenge.

The Western Australian government has talked up the positives contained in a report on indigenous disadvantage at a time when its relationship with Aboriginal people is at a new low.

A handful of Telstra payphones have begun transmitting Wi-Fi as part of a plan to blanket public spaces with internet access.

Movie and TV streaming service Netflix will officially launch in Australia and New Zealand in March.

Mining services companies WesTrac and Orica have both announced further restructuring moves, including a reduction in their workforce, with Orica also announcing the sale of its chemicals business to a private equity group.

The Australian stock market has opened flat amid weakness in resources stocks.

The Dow and S&P 500 has closed at fresh records following solid economic data from Germany and the US.

Oil prices have declined on scepticism that an OPEC meeting later this month will result in action to address mounting supplies.

The Australian dollar is firmer as traders move past the Reserve Bank governor's comments on rates staying low and focus on the US Federal Reserve.

Gold prices have closed at their highest level in nearly three weeks, spurred by a drop in the US dollar and tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The share market closed weaker despite its early gains, with falls posted across all sectors.

Agribusiness Ruralco has nearly doubled its annual profit and hopes much-needed rain will start falling to help farmers in some states struggling with drought.

Former Fraser government minister Reginald ‘Toecutter' Withers has died in Perth, aged 90.

Mining groups fear standards could slip at Australian mines if Chinese companies are allowed to bring in their own workers.

The uranium industry is hoping to make trial shipments to India next year.

The Reserve Bank of Australia could slash its interest rate to just 1.5 per cent within a year amid weak consumer confidence and rising unemployment.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following a flat lead from the US.

Huge takeovers in the oil and pharmaceutical sectors helped lift the S&P 500 to a record Monday, while the Dow fell shy of a new mark.

Oil prices have dipped on news that Japan slipped back into recession and scepticism that OPEC will reach a deal to cut output.

The Australian dollar is weaker as a free trade deal with China encourages profit taking.

Gold prices have ended lower as a stronger US dollar edges out investors' worries about tensions between Russia and the West.

Mining giant Rio Tinto will hold talks with China's Sinosteel Corporation to extend a joint venture iron ore project in the Pilbara.

Australian farmers and dairy processors will get a better deal than their New Zealand counterparts under a free trade agreement with China, the federal government says.

The share market has closed weaker as a rising US dollar, sputtering Japanese economy and pending changes for the financial system weigh on investor sentiment.

Former National Australia Bank boss Cameron Clyne took home almost $6 million during his last 10 months in the job.

Financial Services Council chief John Brogden says a China trade agreement is not enough on its own to open the Chinese market for Australian fund managers.

Agribusiness Elders says there's a long way to go before it sees any benefit from Australia's $18 billion free trade agreement with China.

The competition regulator wants the National Broadband Network to be split into three parts before it's privatised.

The Australian sharemarket has opened flat as weakness in banking stocks offsets gains from the resources sector.

Gold and silver prices have risen to a two-week high as a rush by investors to cover bets on lower prices accelerated a rebound in both markets.

A multibillion dollar free trade agreement with China is a game changer that the Abbott government believes will supercharge the Australian economy.