AAP

Australian shares have opened lower after the US Federal Reserve indicated it could wind back of its massive stimulus program for the world's largest economy before too long.

ANZ plans to sack about 600 Melbourne call centre staff and send their jobs overseas, the union says.

The Australian dollar has plummeted to below 93 US cents after the US Federal Reserve announced its stimulus program could end in mid-2014.

US stocks have fallen sharply after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed may begin to taper bond purchases later this year.

Rio Tinto has signed a new native title agreement with traditional owners the Yindjibarndi people, covering two of its Pilbara railways and a number of mineral deposits.

Australian shares have gained ground as investors took a cautiously optimistic stance ahead of a keenly awaited update on economic stimulus measures in the United States.

Former premier Brian Burke has pleaded not guilty to four charges related to insider trading in Perth company Amcom Telecommunications.

More than $23 million in public sector fraud was investigated by Western Australian police in just two years, a new report has revealed, and corruption within government agencies is increasing.

Shares in mining engineer WorleyParsons are up three per cent after a South Korean shipbuilding giant awarded it a $US100 million ($A105.97 million) offshore oil and gas contract in Nigeria.

The Australian Greens want Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula to be protected and are pushing for the area to be given world heritage status.

Resource industry groups have expressed concern about federal laws that will result in coal seam gas and large coal mine developments facing greater scrutiny under changes designed to ensure new pr

Security screening staff are rallying at Qantas terminals around Australia in support of Perth airport colleagues who have been locked out of their jobs during a wage dis

The impact of the easing mining sector has been reflected in Western Australia posting the biggest drop in the number of jobs ads posted online.

Western Australia's police commissioner is set to plead with the country's top politicians for a ban on alcohol promotions during AFL and NRL matches.

The Australian share market has opened nearly two-thirds of a per cent higher.

The Australian dollar is weaker as speculation of a scaling down in US stimulus measures boosts the greenback.

Gold has settled at its lowest price in a month as investors prepared for the gradual end of the Federal Reserve's stimulus efforts, which have been a catalyst for the market since 2008.

US stocks have risen decisively as investors bet the Federal Reserve will stay the course the next day on its economic stimulus policy.

The Australian dollar is over one US cent lower as it looks likely the central bank will cut the cash rate some time in the second half of the year.

Australian shares have fallen as investors nervously wait for an update on economic stimulus measures in the United States.

The $339 million in federal funding allocated for the stalled Oakajee port project cannot be used by the state government for other purposes.

The defamation battle between Treasurer Troy Buswell and his former parliamentary lover Adele Carles has taken a twist, with the deposed MP revealing she is attempting to sue millionaire property d

The Reserve Bank of Australia may not have cut the cash rate at its June meeting but has indicated it is prepared to cut further even though the Australian dollar is falling.

Security screening staff at Perth Airport's Qantas terminal have dug in for a fourth week of industrial action as they remain embroiled in a wage dispute with employer MSS Security.

Australian shares are weaker as traders nervously await the Reserve Bank's June board meeting minutes, with the big banks and miners suffering losses.

A further $9 million has been wiped from the market value of Elders after it rejected an offer to buy its rural services business.

The Australian dollar is weaker as traders buy the greenback on the small chance the US Federal Reserve will wind back its stimulus measures.

US stocks have surged a day before the Federal Reserve begins meeting to review monetary policy, with expectations mounting that it will make no sharp changes to its economic stimulus.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher as traders wait for an announcement on whether the US Federal Reserve will wind down its economic stimulus measures.

Renewed demand for banking stocks has driven the overall Australian share market higher.

Lend Lease shares have slumped more than eight per cent after the company revealed it will undergo a major restructure as the construction sector softens.

Retiring veteran Liberal MP Barry Haase says the time has come for him to step away from federal politics as the country looks set to vote his party into power.