AAP

The Australian share market has been unable to put together a three-day winning streak, with most sectors sinking lower as sentiment soured.

Medibank's hackers are threatening to release stolen personal health information, and Cyber Security Minister Clare O'Neil says that's a "dog act".

Former Labor leader Kim Beazley has been appointed as the newest member of the Australian War Memorial Council.

The number of Western Australians in employment fell in September, while the national jobless rate held steady at 3.5 per cent.

The Australian share market has finished higher, however the gains were muted compared to the past three days of sharp volatility.

WorkSafe WA is investigating the death of a 50-year-old man in a work accident at a transport company in the Perth suburb of Bibra Lake.

Whitehaven Coal says production was down in the September quarter, but it still generated a record $1.6 billion in cash as prices skyrocketed.

The local share market has bounced back strongly from previous losses in a third straight day of volatile trading.

Mining billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest's court case against Facebook parent Meta will proceed after overcoming an argument about legal jurisdiction.

The local share market has suffered another plunge, with all sectors closing lower as sentiment again sours following last week's rollercoaster ride on Wall Street.

Health Minister Mark Butler has ordered his department to examine claims the Medicare system was being rorted by billions of dollars each year.

The federal treasurer is hoping Australia can avoid a recession due to its strong economic fundamentals.

Australian shares have finished up 1.75 per cent after a whipsaw session on Wall Street, which staged one of the biggest one-day reversals in its history.

Inflation remains public enemy number one as the treasurer expects the US central bank to keep hiking rates aggressively in response to a higher-than-expected inflation print.

The local share market has closed almost unchanged overall for a second day in a row, but the big banks finished ahead and Qantas rose on its profit outlook.

Global gas prices are tipped to surge by more than 50 per cent as Europe weans itself off Russian gas, with Australian producers in line to ship more LNG.

The West Australian government will close all its major COVID-19 vaccination clinics by early November.

The local share market has spent the day treading water, finishing little changed from where it began with gains for the banking sector and losses for miners.

The local share market is slightly higher this morning, with gains by the big banks outweighing losses by the mining and energy sectors.

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.