AAP

The Australian dollar has plummeted almost two US cents and could be on its way back below the 100-US cent mark for the first time in nearly a year.

US stocks fell on Thursday, as buyers took a breather after a slate of successive record closes.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 22.50 (0.15 per cent) to 15,082.62.

The Australian dollar is higher after strong employment figures made the possibility of another official interest rate cut less likely.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says his industrial relations policy will protect the pay and conditions of workers and offer them access to flexibility arrangements.

Further interest rates cuts appear less likely following another surprise surge in employment.

Western Australia's top judge says he has "serious concerns" about the state's attorney-general decision to stop a project that would have allowed the Supreme Court to stream cases online in r

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it's not the amount of government spending that is putting pressure on the budget, but the lack of tax money coming in.

The Australian share market has opened flat.

Premier Colin Barnett continues to hope Commonwealth funding will be forthcoming for the state government's rail plans, despite its historical backing of roads.

National Australia Bank's half year net profit has grown by 23 per cent to $2.52 billion.

The Australian dollar is nearly a third of a US cent lower ahead of the release of key monthly employment figures.

US stocks have continued their upward climb, riding positive economic data from Germany and China to new records.

The Australian share market has closed at its best level in almost five years, driven by record US market highs and positive Chinese trade data.

Shares in Seven West Media have leapt 10 per cent after the company exceeded expectations on cost cuts and chief executive Don Voelte said the media group was placed to improve next year.

Holden insists it will keep making cars in Australia despite reporting a $153 million loss as motorists steer away from locally built cars.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Labor's decision to dump a tax cut funded by its carbon pricing regime shows next week's federal budget can't be trusted.

The lead-up to an election is not the right time to debate the federal government's national disability care scheme, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Fortescue Metals Group is trying to boost its permanent Aboriginal workforce as the company moves from a construction phase into production.

The Australian share market has opened higher after record highs were reached on Wall Street.

The federal opposition has accused Labor of ripping off Australian taxpayers after it confirmed it would "defer" tax cuts linked to its carbon pricing regime.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh two-month low during overnight trade, before recovering most of its lost ground amid gains on US share markets.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average has closed above 15,000 for the first time as investor optimism about the US economy bolstered equities like Caterpillar.

Sir Richard Branson has jetted into Perth to unveil his newly-branded aircraft after the $99 million takeover of regional airline Skywest.

The Australian share market closed lower but recovered some ground after the Reserve Bank cut the cash rate to a record low.

Australia could revive its struggling cattle industry and improve animal welfare standards by processing meat at home instead of continuing live exports, the Australian Greens say.

Western Australia's property market continues to outperform other capitals, with the state leading the way in a slight rise in Australian house prices in the first three months of 2013.

Australia's trade balance is back in the black, with a surplus of $307 million in March, official figures show.

The Australian share market has opened flat as banking stocks slipped ahead of a Reserve Bank decision on interest rates.

Premier Colin Barnett he feels he's been under siege by the federal Labor government.He says he hopes a government led by Tony Abbott could be a bit more flexible.

The Australian dollar is lower ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision.

US stocks have closed mixed, with Bank of America advancing strongly on news of a key mortgage securities settlement.

The Australian dollar is still higher after getting a boost from better US employment figures, increasing optimism about the America's economic recovery.