AAP

The Australian dollar has rallied after the central bank indicated the cash rate will stay unchanged for some time.

The federal government says any change to the modern award system needs to look at the impact of penalty rates on employers.

The Australian sharemarket has suffered its heaviest one-day losses since August, with spooked investors reacting to a sharp fall in US manufacturing activity growth.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 2.5 per cent, highlighting an improved outlook for the local and overseas economies.

The share market has started the week with losses following falls out of the US and expectations there will not be any rate cuts in Australia soon.

The Australian dollar is range-trading as investors await the Reserve Bank of Australia's February cash rate decision.

US stocks have fallen more than two per cent after a surprisingly weak US manufacturing report sparked another round of selling amid concerns about the strength of the global economy.

Oil prices have fallen after weak manufacturing data in the United States and China fuelled worries about demand in the world's two biggest oil consumers.

The RSPCA has questioned the method and motive for Western Australia's shark cull, amid reports of another catch-and-kill in the state's South West region.

Export commodity prices fell in January to their lowest level for nearly four years.

Australian shares have closed flat due to a slow start to the local earnings season and holidays in Asia.

Africa-focused mining companies are suffering under the weight of higher costs and lower productivity, with the value of some companies halving over the past year.

Western Australia's new home building sector rebounded from a slump in 2012 to record the highest number of private housing approvals since the property boom in 2006, according to new data.

The average annual salary advertised by online jobs site SEEK dropped by more than $3000 in 2013.

Allegations the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union used coercion to prevent workers getting on site at a new children's hospital in Perth will be tested in court.

Soft economic growth and a weakening jobs market mean another interest rate cut can't be ruled out, a leading business group says.

Potential home buyers have had a slight reprieve from high property prices in Perth with home values dropping slightly during the past month, new research says.

The share market has started the week with losses following falls out of the US and expectations there will not be any rate cuts in Australia soon.

Unease over emerging markets dominated a busy week of economic and corporate news, pushing stocks lower for a second week in a row and resulting in losses for January.

Fewer Australians are able to put away savings each month and more people are anxious about finding a new job within a couple of months if they need to, a survey has found.

Australian CEOs expect another weak year for business growth, a survey shows.

Gold futures have eased a bit, locking in the first weekly loss since early December as the Federal Reserve said it would continue to pare its bond-buying program.

The Australian dollar has rebounded after concerns over emerging markets sent the currency below 87 US cents over the weekend.

The share market recovered from early losses to edge slightly into positive territory as investors searched for stronger direction.

Journalists and lawyers will soon be able to use electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones to access the internet and social media in Western Australian courts.

The cash rate is expected to stay on hold as the Reserve Bank gauges the effects of previous cuts and the falling Australian dollar.

Department store owner Myer says its proposed merger with rival David Jones would have created a business with more than $5 billion in sales.

Australian stocks are lower after the US Federal Reserve's decision to further taper its stimulus program added to investor concerns about the decline in emerging markets.

Gold has slid as stability in stock markets and a stronger US dollar leave less investor appetite for the safe-haven asset.

The Australian dollar has drifted higher as concerns over emerging markets dissipate.

US stocks have bolted higher on the strength of a solid report on US economic growth and banner results from Facebook that raised hopes about other technology giants.

The voters of Western Australia will learn on Monday if they are to return to the polls for a second Senate election.