AAP

The Australian stock market has closed one per cent higher due to stronger than expected Chinese manufacturing data.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has released further details on growth options for its iron ore business, after loading the first shipment of iron ore from its expanded Pilbara operations.

Alannah MacTiernan, Labor's leading light in a likely election wipe-out in Western Australia, has thanked the state's beleaguered Liberal Premier Colin Barnett for making her campaign easier.

Billabong shares have surged after an American shareholder group called for a spill of the embattled surfwear company's board.

It looks like growth in housing construction is getting stronger but other parts of the economy are still struggling.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has overtaken Kevin Rudd as preferred prime minister for the first time, but faces criticism over his description of the Syrian crisis.

Hundreds of school staff will strike across Perth tomorrow, as anger over state government cuts intensifies.

The Australian share market has opened higher as manufacturing figures out of China lift investor sentiment.

Perth home prices are either falling or rising, according to the latest separate analyses on the market from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia and RP Data-Rismark.

Manufacturing activity in Australia fell for the 26th consecutive month in August but the good news is that the rate of decline is slowing.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has flagged Labor will set up a headquarters in Brisbane as well as outposts in Western Australia and South Australia to help boost the export opportunities for the mining equipment sector if it wins the next election.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, despite getting a boost from some very positive Chinese economic data.

August was tough on the stock market. Now, investors face an even scarier September.

The Australian dollar is lower despite making slight gains against a weaker greenback in afternoon trade as investor anxiety over a possible US attack on Syria subsides.

The Reserve Bank is likely to keep the cash rate on hold next week as it waits on the outcome of the federal election and allows the August rate cut to work its magic.

Opposition finance spokesman Andrew Robb believes Labor's deceit over the coalition's $31.6 billion of promised savings will be the last straw for many voters.

The Australian share market is higher as investor caution caused by possible military action against Syria eased.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the opposition's national broadband plan is "positively Palaeolithic".

Uranium miner Paladin Energy has recorded a $US420.9 million full year loss, more than double last year's loss of $US172.8 million, as the uranium price remains weak.

Electrical and homewares retailer Harvey Norman's full year profit has fallen 17.5 per cent amid dwindling sales across its Australian and European businesses.

The Australian share market has opened flat as investors continue to sit on the sidelines after a dramatic week in international affairs.

Airline Virgin Australia has fallen into the red.The company today reported a net loss of $98.1 million for the year to June 30, compared with a $22.8 million profit the previous year.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is to unveil his plan to make living in the outer suburbs more affordable.

The Australian dollar is lower as solid US economic growth figures raised expectations the Federal Reserve will scale back its asset purchases in the coming months.

US stocks have closed higher following an upgrade to US second-quarter economic growth and a shift in expectations away from an immediate military strike on Syria.

Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey has defended the coalition's $31.6 billion of proposed savings, saying Labor's accusations that they don't add up are "dead wrong".

The Australian dollar is higher following a better than expected result in June quarter capital expenditure data.

The Australian share market has finished higher, but activity remains overshadowed by concerns about the Syrian conflict.

Mining investment should stay strong for the coming year, economists say.But they are still looking for a pick-up in investment in other parts of the economy.

The state's legal fraternity says the loss of a Supreme Court judge will lead to further trial delays and a backlog of cases.

Shopping mall giant Westfield is more upbeat about its growth prospects in the United States than Australia.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says an independent analysis has found a $10 billion black hole in the coalition's savings.