AAP

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after the release of weaker-than-expected US employment figures.

A tax hike on cigarettes and a levy on bank deposits could be maintained under a federal coalition government.

A jam-packed week of economic data and corporate earnings amounted to only modest movement in US equities, as stocks closed out a hectic week of news only somewhat higher.

The Australian share market has hit its highest point in more than two months as good signs from the United States overshadowed weaker local economic forecasts from the federal government.

A shipping container carrying lead carbonate has buckled at Fremantle Port and cannot be secured for export.

Business groups believe Treasurer Chris Bowen has missed an opportunity to improve Australia's competitiveness, encourage economic growth and provide jobs.

Paladin Energy has completed a heavily discounted capital raising after scrapping the sale of a stake in its flagship African uranium mine after it failed to attract a high enough bid.

The Rudd government's revenues have taken a $33 billion hit amid worsening economic conditions.

Tony Abbott has moved to neutralise the issue of education ahead of the federal election by dropping his opposition to the government's school funding plan.

Casino operator Crown is shaking up its senior management in a move that sees its Perth resort boss promoted at the expense of his Melbourne counterpart.

Liza Harvey will become Western Australia's new tourism minister, replacing Kim Hames who was forced to give up the portfolio after admitting an expenses bungle.

The Australian share market has opened nearly one per cent higher.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh three-year low as strong US economic data raised the possibility the Federal Reserve will start winding down its economic stimulus program soon.

US stocks have rallied on strong economic data from China, Europe and the United States, pushing the S&P 500 to an all-time closing high.

Andrew Forrest has condemned the naysayers who have declared China's and Australia's economic boom is all but over.

The share market has edged higher despite the negative impact of speculation banks could be hit with a deposit levy.

Debt-laden Elders has sold its car interiors business Futuris Automotive to a US private equity firm for $69 million.

Another cut to interest rates may not help the economy, but it won't hurt it either, the boss of National Australia Bank says.

Treated waste water from toilets, showers and washing machines will be pumped back into the state's water system following a three-year trial.

Finance Minister Penny Wong has declined to say whether or not the government plans to impose a deposit levy on banks, despite a fall in share market values.

Export and import prices fell by exactly the same margin in the June quarter.

Treasurer Chris Bowen says a substantial hike in tobacco excise to raise $5.3 billion for the federal coffers will contribute to the government's planned return to a budget surplus, but more import

The Western Australian opposition has launched a website dedicated to Premier Colin Barnett's broken election promises after he said he didn't believe the community paid much attention to them.

The Australian share market has opened approaching half a per cent higher.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower after good US economic data and a Federal Reserve announcement pulled the currency in opposite directions.

US stocks have ended mixed after a busy day of news that included a policy statement from the Federal Reserve and a mixed report on US economic growth.

The Australian dollar is lower following a dovish speech by Reserve Bank boss Glenn Stevens that hinted at another rate cut next week.

The Australian share market has edged higher as investors react to positive news out of China and uncertainty in the United States.

The federal government has eased concerns it was about to plunder the superannuation savings system to help plug financial holes in the budget.

Australian stocks are higher as the market reacts to heightened expectations of an interest rate cut in August.

The Australian dollar has held its ground in offshore trade after suffering a big fall on Tuesday.