AAP

Gold miner Ramelius is working to get its flagship asset in Western Australia profitable next year despite a weaker gold price.

Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey has offered the states and territories incentive payments to sell off public assets and put the money into new job-creating infrastructure.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann insists there is a budget emergency, but that doesn't mean the government has to act in a "panicked, chaotic fashion" to deal with it.

Australian stocks have opened higher following a solid night on global equity markets.

An easing of foreign ownership restrictions on Australia's national airline, Qantas, could devastate the iconic flying kangaroo, a federal parliamentarian warns.

US stocks have risen to new records following a stream of mixed economic data on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday.

US oil prices have tumbled to the lowest level in nearly six months after a weekly inventory report showed a surprisingly large increase in supplies.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh three-month low as declining commodity prices and a rally in the US dollar puts the currency under pressure.

The Australian share market has lost ground as commodity price weakness led to losses among the big miners.

Bega Cheese is considering whether it will join legal efforts to stall Canadian firm Saputo's takeover offer for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter.

There was a strong rise in construction work done figures for the September quarter but recent positive housing data does not seem to be translating into more homes being built.

Elders chief executive Malcolm Jackman says he is leaving the rural services provider in good shape - but not great shape.

Programmed Maintenance Services has recorded a flat half year profit despite taking a hit to revenue as a result of a slowdown in investment in the resources sector.

Australian stocks have opened virtually flat amid weakness in resources stocks and moderate gains for the big four banks.

The Australian dollar has recovered some ground after falling to a fresh three-month low amid increasing expectations of an interest rate cut in early 2014 and profit-taking.

US stocks have ticked slightly higher, but the Nasdaq has surged past the 4,000 mark for the first time in 13 years.

Retailer Harvey Norman says a rise in consumer confidence since the federal election has not provided a boost in its sales.

Almost 200 police officers are set to quit the Western Australian force under a voluntary severance scheme designed to ease pressure on the state budget and put more police on the streets.

The Australian sharemarket has closed higher for the third straight day, driven by gains among the big banks.

The federal government will go back to the drawing board on schools funding from 2015 after finding what it says is a $1.2 billion shortfall in Labor's scheme.

Australia should consider a Norwegian-style sovereign wealth fund to share around the benefits of the mining boom, a union report argues.

A Hong-Kong based company locked in a bitter legal dispute with mining boss turned federal MP Clive Palmer says the case will be closely watched by other Chinese investors.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is reviewing the status of its alumina refinery at Gove in the Northern Territory, putting the future of up to 1500 workers at risk.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following a soft lead from the US overnight.

US stocks have closed little changed as investors weigh a weak US housing market report and a breakthrough deal between Iran and major powers over its controversial nuclear program.

Gold futures have fallen as investors have their first chance to respond to the historic deal on limiting nuclear proliferation reached between Iran and six world powers.

The Australian dollar is higher as traders go bargain hunting, taking advantage of the currency's low value, after its big fall in recent days.

Seven Group Holdings has appointed Woodside executive Jarvas Croome as the new chief executive of its WesTrac heavy equipment business.

Weaker demand from mining companies has caused a 28 per cent fall in first half profit for analytical testing services group ALS.

Australian shares have gained thanks to continued positive momentum on Wall Street.

Rail freight company Aurizon and Gina Rinehart's part-owned Queensland coal company have agreed on a rail solution to develop the Galilee Basin as part of a $6 billion plan.

BHP Billiton has announced it will replace two shiploaders at its Nelson Point port operations in Port Hedland at a cost of more than $300 million, on the same day it was forced to cancel the official opening of its Jimblebar iron ore mine.