AAP

The Australian dollar has risen to a three-month high, helped by easing tensions between Russia and the West and a stable local interest rate outlook.

Former Treasurer Troy Buswell is unlikely to return to parliament until at least April 10 but it remains to be seen whether he intends to remain an MP.

Labor senators look set to ignore a plea from business groups to ditch the mining tax after opposition leader Bill Shorten reaffirmed his commitment to vote down the government's repeal legislation.

The Australian share market has closed higher as global markets rallied on the back of encouraging US factory production figures and relief that sanctions imposed on Russia after the Crimea vote were not too severe.

The Reserve Bank is more optimistic about the economy, meaning a likely end to its interest rate cuts.

Agricultural chemicals and seeds supplier Nufarm will shut its Welshpool manufacturing facility as part of a cost-cutting restructure of its Australian operations, which will likely result in 105 j

The head of Australia's largest rail company, Aurizon, says a free trade agreement (FTA) with China is critical to the country's economy.

Australian stocks have opened stronger following a rally on global markets overnight.

Retailer David Jones will undertake a thorough assessment of a merger proposal put by rival Myer.

The Australian dollar is higher as financial markets seem unconcerned by an escalation of tensions between Russia and the West.

Oil prices have fallen modestly as markets downplayed fears of disruptions to Western European energy supplies after Crimea voted in a disputed referendum to leave Ukraine and join Russia.

US stocks have bolted higher, brushing off geopolitical concerns after a controversial vote by Crimea to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

The sharemarket is slightly lower as investors monitor the situation in Crimea following a controversial referendum.

Hochtief has flagged widespread job cuts to construction group Leighton Holdings' 56,000-strong global workforce as shareholders consider a $1.2 billion bid to increase its stake in the company.

The sharemarket is higher after a stabilisation in iron ore prices helped lift resources stocks.

The Australian dollar is lower as the European Union and the US prepare to impose sanctions on Russia after a referendum on the fate of Crimea went ahead despite Western opposition.

Gold prices have closed at the highest level in six months as investors remain cautious over the fluid geopolitical situation in Ukraine.

The growing diplomatic crisis over Ukraine has rattled markets, producing the deepest declines in US stocks for a single week since January.

Australian households are each more than $13,000 better off thanks to trade with China, the country's ambassador to Australia told a business lunch in Perth today.

Construction materials supplier Adelaide Brighton warns it could take a $15 million hit if it loses a major customer for its cement.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has again urged the Labor opposition to support the repeal of the mining tax when parliament resumes next week, describing it as an "anti-WA tax".

Weaker than expected economic figures from China and renewed concerns about the Ukraine have caused a significant fall on the local sharemarket.

The choice of candidates for Western Australia's senate election rerun will not be as large as first thought, with 77 candidates nominating.

Australian stocks have plummeted following disappointing Chinese economic figures and renewed concerns about the standoff between Russia and Ukraine.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says he is trying to avoid impacts on workers as the airline proceeds with a turnaround plan that includes cutting 5,000 jobs.

Gold futures have edged higher amid heightened concerns about China's economy and instability in Ukraine.

The Australian dollar is lower as escalating tensions between Russia and the West overshadow positive economic data from the US.

US stocks fell sharply as weak Chinese economic data and rising tensions in Ukraine offset solid US retail sales and labour-market data.

Mining stocks have pushed the sharemarket higher, after heavy falls in iron ore prices came to an end.

Labor insists there's no rift between its Western Australian Senate candidates Joe Bullock and Louise Pratt, despite previous differences of opinion between the unionist and the gay marriage advocate.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has been challenged to expel union heavyweight Joe McDonald from the Labor Party after he was fined for physically threatening a worker who refused to strike.

Controversy surrounding former Treasurer Troy Buswell continues to plague Premier Colin Barnett, while police are still yet to question the former minister about a car crash.