AAP

A trio of heavyweight unions will present a petition to the Western Australian parliament, calling for an investigation into the use of local labour and suppliers at the Chevron-operated Gorgon gas project.

The unemployment rate is expected to ease from its 12-year high in August but could remain stuck around 6 per cent for some time.

The Australian share market has opened lower following a sell-off on Wall Street.

Concerns about the federal budget are back and weighing on consumer confidence.

The Australian dollar has hit a five month low as the US dollar continues its surge against most of the major currencies.

Gold slid to a three-month low and other precious metals fell Tuesday as the dollar strengthened and as signs of progress toward peace in Ukraine reduced the need for haven assets.

Oil prices in London have continued their steady slide amid a flush market and little upside to the current demand picture.

Wall Street stocks have fallen, pulled down by major banks after the Federal Reserve signalled more stringent capital requirements.

A recovery by the resources sector after recent falls in iron ore prices has helped the share market break a run of four straight losses.

Labor will not stand a candidate in the seat of Vasse, which was left vacant when former Western Australian treasurer Troy Buswell quit politics.

Two of the longest serving directors of Wesfarmers will step down from the board in November.

Rio Tinto has mounted an energetic defence of clean coal, referencing Churchill and Neil Armstrong's moon landing in declaring it the only way to meet growing energy needs while reducing emissions.

The Australian stock market has opened flat following a soft lead from overseas and falls in commodity prices.

Oil prices have dropped with the European benchmark contract slipping below $US100 ($A108.20) a barrel on concerns about fragile demand, heavy supply and a strengthening US dollar.

US stocks finished mostly lower following disappointing economic data from China and Japan and the growing spectre of Scotland breaking away from the United Kingdom.

Gold prices slid Monday, as a stronger US dollar led investors to sell the precious metal.

The Australian dollar is lower amid concerns about how falling Chinese demand for imports will impact the local economy.

The number of jobs being advertised has hit a 17-month high, suggesting the labour market is improving despite the shock jump in July's unemployment rate.

The share market has closed weaker as the falling price for iron ore continues to create uncertainty in the resources sector.

Cattle exporters are hopeful a free trade agreement with South Korea will be ratified by the end of the year so tariff cuts will begin.

The Australian stock market has started the week on a flat note, with another fall in the iron ore price and concerns about Scotland's upcoming independence vote offsetting a positive lead from the US.

The Australian dollar is higher on the back of surprisingly weak US employment figures.

Gold prices edged higher Friday after data showed the US economy created fewer jobs than expected in August, easing fears that the Federal Reserve may raise rates sooner than expected.

The S&P 500 has jumped to a fresh record after investors concluded that a disappointing August jobs report would discourage the US Federal Reserve from quickly raising interest rates.

A new survey has cast doubt on Joe Hockey's claim that workers will pocket the frozen increases to compulsory employer superannuation contributions.

The share market has closed lower for a third straight day as weaker iron ore prices weighed on the mining sector.

Former Rio Tinto chief operating officer Andrew Cole has been appointed the new head of gold and copper miner Oz Minerals.

The Singapore-based bidder for the Australand Property Group has fallen just short of securing 100 per cent of its takeover target.

The Australia stock market is lower after a further falls in iron ore prices offset positive sentiment surrounding European stimulus measures.

Australia's construction industry continues to blossom, with home building leading the charge.

The Australian dollar has continued its rally on the back of positive retail sales and international trade figures.

US stocks have closed lower despite an early boost from the European Central Bank's move to further cut interest rates and launch an asset-purchase plan to beat back deflation pressures.