AAP

Consumer confidence in Western Australia has plunged because of political uncertainty at the federal level and following a belt-tightening state budget, a survey shows.

Australian stocks have opened lower as investors respond to an increased possibility the US will launch a military strike on Syria.

The Australian dollar rose to a two-week high after the Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate unchanged and issued a neutral statement on the chance of further cuts.

US stocks have kicked off a holiday-shortened week higher, but concerns about a possible US military strike on Syria cut into early gains.

A neutral statement on monetary policy from the central bank has given the Australian dollar a bounce after earlier being dragged down by weak retail sales data.

Federal Education Minister Bill Shorten has addressed workers protesting against the Barnett government's cuts to the sector in Western Australia, warning that the federal Liberals will do likewise

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher despite disappointing figures on retail sales and Australia's widening current account deficit.

Companies with a plan to innovate would be guaranteed a slice of a $72 billion pie over the next four years under a re-elected Labor government.

Resources and Energy Minister Gary Gray is not sure whether he has done enough to retain his seat in Saturday's federal election.

Western Australia's retail sector is showing the strain of the slowing state economy, with consumer spending falling for the first time since April 2010.

Australian stocks have opened slightly higher following positive leads from European markets.

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

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as traders move out of riskier assets, playing it safe ahead of a big day of economic events.

Neither the conclusion of the federal election nor the most recent interest rate cut is likely to stimulate Australia's slowing economy, says credit information bureau Dun & Bradstreet.

Upbeat Chinese and eurozone economic data, combined with receding investor concerns over a US intervention in Syria, have sent European equities climbing.

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.