AAP

More than 200 workers are to be made redundant at state-owned Western Australian energy company Horizon Power.

Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder has defended grocery giant Coles' relationship with farmers, saying the high dollar and government regulations are a weight on the agricultural sector.

Australian shares slipped as ANZ and National Australia Bank paid out their final dividends.

Labor will seek to block government plans to scrap a superannuation contribution scheme designed to benefit low-income earners.

Fairfax Media has avoided a second strike and potential boardroom spill, but its directors still have not won the support of major shareholder Gina Rinehart.

Western Australia's unemployment rate has fallen to just 4.3 per cent, with the jobless rate remaining steady at a national level.

The Australian stock market has opened weaker ahead of the release of October's official employment figures.

Australia's competition watchdog has recommended reforms to ensure ongoing business growth at the nation's major ports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed to a new record, even as investors punished some tech names after Tesla earnings disappointed.

Australia sells more of its top-shelf wine to China than any other country but the industry is going to great lengths to convince drinkers there it has even more to offer.

The Australian dollar continues to push higher, boosted by a recent batch of strong economic data.

Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson has rejected a suggestion that the government should guarantee loans for small businesses to foster growth in the sector.

The Australian share market has closed almost flat, with a healthy quarterly earnings report from the Commonwealth Bank the highlight.

Education ministers from states yet to sign up to the Gonski school funding overhaul are meeting with federal minister Christopher Pyne to discuss the matter.

Engineering and maintenance firm Downer EDI says it will take some time for its rail business to adjust to the slowdown in the mining sector.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is on track to make another record full year profit, after recording earnings of $2.1 billion in the three months to the end of September.

Australian stocks have started the local session on the back foot, following weakness on international markets.

The benchmark US oil price has sunk to a five-month low as traders anticipate a key report will show US supplies are continuing to pile up.

US stocks have ended mostly lower as analysts pointed to the need for markets to absorb recent gains after a number of records in the past couple of weeks.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after its fall following the Reserve Bank's monetary policy statement expressing concern about the currency's high value.

Tighter federal and state budgets are going to make economic reform harder in the future, a report says.

Australian shares have delivered a strong finish on Melbourne Cup day, with the big miners leading the way.

Former federal police chief Mick Keelty has begun his investigation into 1,375 missing votes from the Western Australian Senate ballot.

The ethical bar for ministers may now be set too high, Premier Colin Barnett says, after treasurer Troy Buswell came under pressure for helping to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

Australia's jobless rate is expected to drift higher, despite the recent pickup in economic data and improvement in consumer and business confidence.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following a solid lead from the US and ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's monthly interest rate decision.

Oil prices have risen slightly as traders hunted bargains after a series of losses while the market kept an eye on abundant US crude-oil supplies.

US stocks have ended a quiet day higher as investors look ahead to some important economic reports later in the week, including the monthly jobs report.

The Australian dollar has rallied above 95 US cents on the back of strong retail and house prices data.

Mix 94.5 has reclaimed the top slot in Perth's radio ratings, gaining a 1.3 per cent increase in listeners to claim 13.5 per cent of the audience.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has been accused of abusing his power by intervening to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

The share market drifted lower as a record annual profit from Westpac and strong retail sales figures failed to provide impetus.