AAP

Agricultural chemicals and seeds supplier Nufarm is banking on spring rains to help boost its profits.

Labor will back the free trade agreement with South Korea but has again raised concerns about giving foreign investors the right to sue the Australian government.

The first university in Australia to reveal big fee increases if the federal government deregulates higher education says it doesn't expect a large drop off in students.

About 700 jobs are being axed at BHP Billiton's joint venture BMA coal mines in Queensland.

Nuclear energy is off the table as a power source for Australia.

The Australian stock market has continued to slide following a selloff on Wall Street and a further fall in iron ore prices.

Internet provider TPG Telecom's golden run is set to continue as the company looks to lift earnings by a quarter over the next year.

The Australian dollar has dropped to a near eight-month low overnight.

Global crude oil prices have fallen as traders worried about the strength of demand especially in China ahead of the release of key Chinese manufacturing data.

US stocks have finished decisively lower, retreating from last week's records in a decline attributed to profit taking and anxiety about Chinese economic growth.

Gold futures have turned higher, as investors jumped in after prices slid to an eight-month low earlier in the session.

The Australian share market has fallen by more than one per cent - its biggest one-day fall in six weeks.

Woolworths boss Grant O'Brien's annual pay has grown 10 per cent to $5.3 million.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon is worried Woolworths selling its 85 cent homebrand bread could spell a death blow to independent retailers.

Slashing tax deductions for property investors would erode housing affordability and drive up rents, a new report says.

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.