AAP

The Australian dollar is higher against a much weaker US dollar after the release of a disappointing US employment report.

US stocks have risen on generally solid corporate earnings and increased confidence after a weaker-than-expected jobs report that the US Federal Reserve will not soon scale back its stimulus progra

Australian shares have reached a fresh five and a half year high as the world's biggest miner BHP Billiton drove market gains.

The Abbott government has named leading businessman Tony Shepherd and former WA bureaucrat Robert Fisher as members of a federal commission of audit with very broad terms of reference.

Southern Cross Media's shareholders have delivered a first strike against the broadcaster for its executive pay policy.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is likely to axe hundreds of back office jobs after signing an outsourcing deal with US technology company IBM.

Australian shares are firmer as rosier production figures from the world's biggest miner BHP Billiton helps boost the overall market.

Property group Mirvac says it is on track to reach its full-year earnings targets as it works to put a disappointing 2012/13 result behind it.

Oil prices have sunk to three-month lows after the US government said crude inventories had increased much more than expected, stoking concerns about demand in the world's largest economy.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as markets wait for the release of the US September employment data.

US stocks have ended little changed as investors took a breather after last week's hefty gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.45 points (0.05 per cent) to 15,392.20.

Paul Zahra has cited personal reasons for stepping down as chief executive of high-end department store chain David Jones.

The Australian share market has closed at a new five-and-a-half-year high, after US and European markets lifted at the end of last week as US government services were re-opened.

Western Australia has recorded one of the lowest local election turnouts in the state's history, with just over a quarter of enrolled voters taking part.

National Australia Bank has dropped to the bottom of the pack for satisfaction levels among business customers.

Western Australia remains the top economic performer but the fortunes of all the states and territories are expected to improve, following the election of a new federal government.

Australian stocks have jumped to fresh five-year highs in response to gains on global stock markets on Friday night.

Gold futures have declined as some investors worry that demand will falter after prices in the week climbed back above $US1,300 a troy ounce.

From Saturday, 19th of October:On Tuesday markets were staring at a global economic debacle because of the US budget and debt ceiling showdown.

The Australian dollar has hit an almost five-month high, helped by some stronger Chinese economic growth figures for the September quarter.

The murder case against Lloyd Rayney will not be appealed to the High Court, but the former prominent Perth barrister still has other legal battles ahead.

Australia's share market has closed at the highest level since mid-2008 as China regains its economic growth pace.

Clive Palmer will have to wait at least another week to find out if he's made it into the federal parliament.

For thousands of taxpayers, the annual chore of filling in a tax return could soon become redundant.

The head of the Reserve Bank of Australia says efforts must be made to ensure post-global financial crisis reforms are implemented.

Qantas expects tough economic conditions and record high fuel prices to continue.

Petroleum producer Santos has warned its full year production will be at the low end of predictions.

US investors have powered the S&P 500 to an all-time high, one day after Washington politicians reached a deal to reopen the government and avert a feared debt default.

The US political battle has taken its toll on the greenback, pushing the Australian dollar above 96 US cents.

The Australian sharemarket has lifted after US politicians voted to raise the debt ceiling of the world's biggest economy and reopen the government.

A Western Australian construction company has been fined $65,000 over the death of a man who fell seven metres through a skylight.

Woodside Petroleum is confident of reaching its 2013 production targets after posting a 9.5 per cent boost in quarterly production.