AAP

Construction is at a three-and-a-half-year high thanks to the continuing recovery of the housing sector.

From Saturday 5th of October:

Gold prices have declined as investors remained upbeat about an eventual resolution to the US budget impasse that has kept the federal government shut down for four days.

The Australian dollar is virtually unchanged due to quiet trade on the Labour Day public holiday and uncertainty over the US government shutdown.

More than $957 million has been wiped off the market value of construction giant Leighton as investors worry about the impact of corruption allegations.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there will be issues negotiating with Clive Palmer and his senators, and has fired a warning shot across the bow of the Titanic II developer.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has announced it will phase out the sale of eggs from caged hens by 2018 in a move that has frustrated the egg industry.

The declaration of the official senate result in Western Australia has been postponed while the electoral commissioner decides whether to grant an appeal by Greens senator Scott Ludlam and allow a

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors become increasingly concerned that the budget impasse in the United States may lead to the US defaulting on its debts.

Australian stocks are weaker as investors grow increasingly concerned about the US government shutdown and the possibility the country will end up defaulting on its debt.

Gold has ended lower, but futures pared earlier losses as weaker US economic data helped offset pressure from investors looking to lock in recent gains.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, staying in a tight range as the continuing US budget crisis overshadows mixed economic data from the US.

US stocks have suffered hefty losses as the partial government shutdown dragged through a third day and worries climbed that the budget battle could escalate into a debt default.

Former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski has been appointed executive chairman of the new NBN Co board, Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull says.

Strength in resources and banking stocks has pushed the Australian share market higher despite the continuation of a US Congressional stand-off over budget negotiations.

The resources boom is not over and the sector is entering a new export growth phase that will deliver Australia "serious money", Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says.

The extensive and expensive measures taken to keep Perth bus passengers safe from potential injury in another dangerous fire have been revealed for the first time.

Seven West Media has promoted the head of its magazines division to chief operating officer as it looks to increase its revenue from new technologies and content.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy says three workers have been injured at its Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia.

An extortion charge has been dropped against a discredited whistleblower at the centre of corruption claims levelled at a Western Australian hospital.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources has made its first $5 million payment to acquire Goldfields' Vivien gold project in Western Australia and has also achieved record production at its Mt Magnet project.

Shares in construction giant Leighton have dropped by nearly 10 per cent after reports corruption and cover-ups were rife in the company and known to its top executives.

The share market has opened higher despite a partial US government shutdown pushing other markets around the world into the red.

Activity in the services sector fell at a much slower rate in September, thanks to improvements in sales, new orders and supplier deliveries.

US stocks have fallen as the reality of the government shutdown depressed markets and raised concerns about the possibility of a US debt default due to political gridlock.

The Australian dollar is higher with the greenback falling against most currencies as it looks like the American government shutdown will continue for a few more days.

Oil prices rallied Wednesday, despite a larger-than-expected jump in US crude stockpiles, on news that TransCanada's southern leg of its Keystone pipeline is near completion.

Australian shares firmed as investors expect the partial US government shutdown to be resolved soon.

The WA government's chemical analysis and forensic science unit says it is rethinking its structure and business model after a $3 million reversal of fortunes in 2012/13.

The average house price in Perth fell by about $14,000 in the September quarter, and rental prices have also eased, the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia says.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says he'll appeal the Australian Electoral Commission's decision not to conduct a recount of votes for Western Australia's Senate seats.

The housing sector's recovery seems to be softening, with a fall in building approvals in August, but economists are confident construction activity will strengthen later in the year.