AAP

White London cabs are about to hit Perth streets as part of a four-year trial to improve the security, standards and availability of the city's taxis.

The Australian share market has closed higher for a second straight day despite the uncertainty caused by a US budget deadlock.

Australia needs to build many more houses and apartments if it wants to put the brakes on price rises and improve affordability, according to one of the country's top bankers.

About 140 workers have found out they will be without a job when pharmaceutical company Pfizer shuts down its Sydney manufacturing plant in 2015.

Global casinos operator Crown says it is working to improve the quality of its Australian resorts, while also keeping a close eye on costs.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is confident of striking the right balance between farmers, the environment and prosperity when it comes to maximising gas extraction in Australia.

The Australian stock market has followed Wall Street lower as fears of a possible US government shutdown next week weigh on investors.

The Liberal-led Western Australian government has contradicted itself, revealing it doesn't have a clear policy for state-owned energy assets, the opposition says.

Even more job cuts could be on the horizon at Telstra after a decision to fire more than 1000 workers.

BHP Billiton has raised $US5 billion ($A5.3 billion) on global bond markets.

Australia's newest radioastronomy project is helping to detect potentially lethal space junk, an eminent scientist says.

The declining terms of trade means there must be a focus on productivity growth if wages growth is to be sustained, new research shows.

The US Federal Reserve is looking into allegations that traders received information about its policy decision last week ahead of the official release time.

Gold futures have risen as investors fear a potential impasse in US budget talks may bolster demand for the metal.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher against the US dollar as the greenback is pressured by weaker economic data and worries over US government budget negotiations.

The Australian share market has closed higher, with widespread gains ending a three-day losing streak.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne has flagged a review of the demand-driven system for university places, sparking debate in the higher education sector over the nation's capacity to produce the high-skilled workers it needs.

The federal Labor opposition must defend the mining tax and aim to engage with small business, leadership candidate Bill Shorten says.

Telstra is cutting 1,100 staff as part of a restructure of its operations business.

A future fund designed to quarantine some of Western Australia's mining royalties for future generations isn't making enough cash to offset the state's increased cost of borrowing, the premier says.

The involvement of two members of the board of Australia's share market operator in a trading scandal in the US was unfortunate, their chairman says.

The number of women on the boards of Australia's top 100 companies has passed 100 for the first time, but the nation's best-paid boardroom seat is still occupied by a bloke.

The Barnett government kept spending growth to a 14-year low last financial year but revenue growth was even lower, the government's annual report on state finances reveals.

Former Fortescue Metals Group chairman Gordon Toll is a major player in two companies at the heart of an ambitious plan to develop mining and infrastructure in South Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has warned banks and households to remain prudent with their lending and borrowing practices in the current record-low interest rate environment.

The chief of Labor's building and construction watchdog has quit, as the Abbott government prepares to put in place a tougher regime for the industry.

Agricultural chemicals and seeds supplier Nufarm says its annual profit has been affected by challenging seasonal conditions and a difficult market in Australia.

The Australian share market has opened a third of a per cent higher.

BHP Billiton says increased supply is causing commodity prices to fall and it expects that trend to continue in the short term.

Retailer David Jones has seen its full year profit slide six per cent amid weaker sales and pressure to cut prices.

Employment services company Skilled Group has won a $A200 million contract to provide labour for a pipeline linking Darwin with offshore Western Australian gas deposits.

The future of aviation in Perth could include another major airport, along with a third runway for the much maligned existing airport.