AAP

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.

Newcrest Mining has beaten expectations to produce 586,573 ounces of gold during the September quarter.

Ten Network Holdings' full-year loss has blown out to $285 million amid one-off writedowns and falling revenues.

Gold prices have risen after US Senate leaders unveiled a deal to fund the federal government and raise the debt ceiling, prompting cautious optimism among investors.

An 11th-hour deal to end the US government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling has sparked a strong rally on Wall Street, with gains of nearly 1.4 percent.

The Australian dollar has leapt a quarter of a US cent higher after US Senate leaders reached a last-minute deal that temporarily extends the debt ceiling and will reopen the government.

WA MP Don Randall insists he was entitled to claim expenses including more than $5,000 for a trip to Cairns on "electorate business" and a refund for a children's cookbook.

The share market recovered from opening losses to close slightly higher on cautious optimism US politicians will agree on a temporary deal to raise its debt ceiling.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is planning to fundamentally change the way federal and state governments interact, including a shake-up of the Council of Australian Government meetings, according to WA Premier Colin Barnett.

The economic green shoots that boosted Iluka Resources' hopes of a recovering mineral sands market earlier this year have shrivelled, with the miner recording weaker quarterly revenue.