AAP

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.

Employment services firm Skilled Group will pay $75.5 million for a Darwin-based marine contractor focused on the oil and gas sector.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Labour productivity growth slowed in the year to March, with the mining sector suffering a fall of almost six per cent.

The Australian dollar is weaker following a fall on Wall Street after a flat reading on US industrial production for May and a decline in the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index.

US stocks ended last week in the red as market speculation boiled over the Federal Reserve's stimulus program ahead of the Fed monetary policy meeting next week.

ASX Ltd's $553 million capital raising has prompted speculation the stock market operator was clearing debt to free it up to take part in a big merger deal.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is still facing resistance from some states after South Australia became the third jurisdiction to sign up to the federal government's schools funding plan.

Packaged food manufacturers have about two years to voluntarily implement health star ratings on the front of their products, or risk legislative measures.

The Australian market had its best day in nearly 18 months as investors decided its month-long slide had gone far enough.

Find a fault in the earth's crust and you could find some gold, Western Australian researchers say.

Japan's Mitsubishi says it will halt any further work on the $6 billion Oakajee port and rail development in the Mid West.

Debt-laden Elders has received at least one formal bid for its main rural services business and is working on securing a sale, following eight months of negotiations.

The Australian market has opened stronger, raising hopes of an end to the sharp slide in shares in recent weeks.

Google captured more than half of the $US8.8 billion ($A9.33 billion) spent on mobile internet advertising worldwide last year and is expected to boost its share in 2013, market watchers say.

The Australian dollar has surged to its highest point in a week with it looking less likely the US Federal Reserve will wind back its economic stimulus program.

US stocks gained their footing after a rocky start on Thursday to put on strong gains in their first positive day this week, shrugging off the 6.4 per cent plunge in Japanese markets.

Security screeners at Perth Airport's Qantas terminal have walked off the job for the second time this week over a pay dispute.

The Australian share market posted its 13th day of losses in 17th trading sessions amid worries about global economic growth and the winding back of stimulus packages.

An unexpected fall in the unemployment rate could see the Reserve Bank hold off cutting interest rates in July.

Many fly-in, fly-out  mine workers want a cap on rostered stints away from home, more support to maintain family obligations, and a loosening of accommodation camp rules.

The Australian market has continued its downhill run, opening more than half a per cent lower following falls on international bourses and worries about central banks' stimulus plans.

Rio Tinto has agreed to sell its Eagle project in the US to Lundin Mining Corporation for an estimated $US35 million ($A37 million) in cash.

The Australian dollar is higher after hitting a one-week high following the release of strong local consumer sentiment figures.

US stocks have fallen sharply in highly volatile trade, with the Dow posting its first three-day losing streak this year amid worries about central banks' stimulus plans.

Lynas Corporation is worried that it is giving away its rare earths products and has decided to draw a line in the sand for its own prices.

The Australian share market extended its losses on Wednesday as investors continued to move their money offshore amid concerns about a weak global economy

Iron ore miner BC Iron is on track to hit its 2014 full production target as the price of iron ore hovers just above $US110 per tonne.

Supermarket giant Coles has been wrongly labelling its bread as baked in-store, the competition watchdog says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has ramped up her bid to encourage Western Australia to sign up to the federal government's schools funding plan, pitching a more generous offer to Premier Colin Barnet

Former West Coast Eagle David Wirrpanda has finally committed to a tilt at federal politics, becoming a Senate nominee for the WA Nationals.

There was a sharp bounce in consumer confidence in June, but it may be short-lived.The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment in June rose 4.7 per cent to 102.2 points.