AAP

The Australian market has closed higher after a volatile day of trading due to the impending federal budget.

Mining services provider Macmahon Holdings' shares have shot up by more than 20 per cent after it detailed positive growth in a "changing and challenging environment".

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett is declining to rule out further public sector job cuts as the state deals with a "volatile" environment.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey is demanding the federal government publish a range of Treasury figures explaining revenue shortfalls, policy funding and future debt forecasts.

The federal government will abolish the baby bonus and project a return to surplus in 2016-17 in tonight's budget, the ABC has reported.

Disgruntled farmers have dumped several tonnes of grain outside West Australian Premier Colin Barnett's office, saying the state government's financial relief package is meagre.

The Australian market has opened flat as gains for defensive stock offset losses for Westpac and Macquarie banks.

The federal government has confirmed it will contribute $400 million to upgrading sections of the Perth-to-Darwin Highway and says there will be more for Western Australia in today's budget.

Australians will be spared a budget that "cuts to the bone" but should brace for a disciplined road forward, Treasurer Wayne Swan has warned on the day he delivers his sixth, and possibly, final bu

The Australian dollar is holding below parity with the US greenback following better-than-expected American retail sales data.

US stocks have traded largely flat under the shadow of poor Chinese economic data and a slight gain in US monthly retail sales.

The Australian share market closed flat ahead of Tuesday's federal budget and after the local currency dropped below parity with the US dollar.

The Australian dollar is stuck around the 100 US cent mark as expectations grow that stimulus efforts in the world's largest economy will be wound back.

Glencore Xstrata has scrapped plans for a coal export terminal in Queensland, citing excess port capacity and a worsening outlook for the sector.

Rail operator Aurizon has begun talks to sell a stake in its rail track infrastructure that would free up money to expand and lead to a break-up of the operations business.

New Zealand's $NZ22-billion Superannuation Fund has pulled nearly $NZ2 million worth of investment out of Barrick Gold, the world's biggest gold miner citing its human rights and environmental reco

Home loan approvals have risen by 5.2 per cent on the back of lower interest rates and strong building activity.

National property developer Stockland says its earnings will drop because of the costs associated with changes to improve its performance.

Explosives and fertiliser maker Incitec Pivot's first half profit has dropped 23 per cent with its fertiliser operations hit by the high Australian dollar.

Business confidence has slipped four points in the month before the federal budget according to National Australia Bank’s April survey of employers.

Shopping centre owner Westfield Retail Trust (WRT) says consumer confidence is improving, but shoppers are still cautious and sales growth is still low.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

The federal government is spending $300 million to make it easier for people to work or study while they are on income support payments.

The Australian dollar is weaker after a weekend article in the Wall Street Journal convinced traders to snap up the US greenback.

US stocks overcame a choppy day of trading om Friday and closed at fresh all-time highs as Group of Seven finance chiefs met in Britain to discuss economic challenges.

The Australian dollar has stabilised after plunging over night, hurt by a big pre-dawn rally in the US dollar.

The Australian share market has closed at levels not seen in almost five years as a weakening domestic currency boosted the big miners.

The Nine Network will decide whether to match a $500 million offer for cricket television rights while being taken to court by Cricket Australia.

ANZ bank has stepped up home loan competition among the major banks, becoming the first in 16 years to cut interest rates by more than the central bank's move.

There are even less inflation hurdles for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut the cash rate further, if need be.

The Australian market has opened higher despite weak offshore leads as the financial sector lifts local shares.