AAP

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says Australia's falling dollar and low official interest rate are signs of economic volatility.

A coalition government wouldn't fund urban rail projects in Western Australia and would instead back roads, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has confirmed.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott says the only debate he will enter into with Kevin Rudd is across the floor of parliament or in election mode.

A recovery in the home building sector seems to be taking hold, with approvals for houses gaining for the fifth month in a row.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent higher.

US stocks have closed higher in shortened pre-July 4th holiday trade helped by fresh jobs data, while turmoil in Egypt and Portugal had no significant impact on the markets.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after falling below 91 US cents for the first time in almost three years.

The Australian dollar fell to a three-year low after Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens revealed the board took "a very long time" to decide whether or not to leave the cash rate unchanged this mo

Australia has posted it largest trade surplus in 18 months as mining exports remain strong.It was the the fourth consecutive monthly surplus.

Woodside Petroleum will produce less oil and gas in 2013 than previously forecast because of shutdowns and maintenance.

The frosty relationship between Canberra and the state government appears to be thawing, with the state's premier suggesting a DisabilityCare deal is edging closer.

Australia was lucky the global financial crisis hit when it did, Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens says.

Australian stocks have pulled back sharply as the volatile start to the new financial year continues.

Rail operator Aurizon will develop and provide infrastructure to two Pilbara iron ore projects under a deal with explorer Brockman Resources.

Oil and gas major Shell plans to build more floating LNG plants after developing its world first Prelude project off the coast of Western Australia.

Gold futures have ended lower, after two straight sessions of gains, as a US stronger dollar and the swift recovery saw some investors sell their holdings to lock in profits.

US stocks have reversed early gains and ended lower on revived concerns about the eurozone and the political crisis in Egypt.

The share market has posted its strongest day in 20 months as the global economic outlook improves and interest rates remained on hold.

Mining giant BHP Billiton says its new remote operations centre and trial of driverless trucks will boost productivity without sacrificing jobs.

The new-look Labor Party has improved its competitiveness for federal seats in Western Australia, Defence Minister Stephen Smith says.

Perth has a new radio ratings leader, with 96FM taking over the top spot from Mix 94.5 in the fourth survey of 2013.

The central bank has kept the cash rate unchanged at a record low of 2.75 per cent at its July board meeting, with the outlook for the global economy looking a bit better.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is starting the work of rebuilding Labor's ties with the business community.

Former Western Australian government minister Alannah MacTiernan says she'll decide in the next 48 hours whether to nominate as Labor's candidate for Stephen Smith's federal seat of Perth.

The Australian share market has opened significantly higher as positive manufacturing data out of the United States and Europe improved investor confidence.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is unlikely to cut interest rates today as the falling Australian dollar does the central bank's heavy lifting.

The Australian dollar has firmed as the gloomiest US manufacturing employment news since 2009 convinced traders the US Federal Reserve may delay winding back its stimulus measures.

US stocks have spent the day in positive territory on generally strong manufacturing data, although leading indices closed well below their intraday highs.

Australia's export commodity prices fell in June, the third monthly fall in a row, following a run of three rises.

The Browse Basin is pivotal to the nation's future gas production amid expectations that global demand will double within 17 years, a senior energy figure says.