AAP

The builder of the $37.4 billion broadband network is blaming a lack of workers for missing a mid year target.

The Australian share market has closed lower after being buffeted by speculation over the Labor leadership.

Australian businesses are struggling to recruit staff with adequate maths, science, technology and engineering skills, which is stifling productivity and competitiveness, a new industry report says

Billabong shares have been placed in a trading halt while the retailer investigates why its shares have plummeted by more than 20 per cent.

Trading hours at pubs and clubs should be reduced to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, a major national study has concluded.

Premier Investments, the retailer behind brands including Just Jeans and Portmans, has brushed off the retail gloom and lifted its first half profit by 21 per cent.

Commonwealth Bank is free to seize control of independent mortgage provider Aussie Home Loans after the competition watchdog gave its blessing to the deal.

 Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the big retail banks and major energy companies leading the broader market higher.

Building materials group Brickworks has vowed not to waste any more time reviewing its long-standing cross-shareholding with investment vehicle Washington H Soul Pattinson.

US stocks have recorded solid gains as the Federal Reserve held steady on its policy of economic stimulus.

Emerging miners Atlas Iron and BC Iron remain confident that Chinese demand and longer-term prices for the commodity will remain buoyant, despite recent pessimism.

The boss of Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mining project is confident it will begin shipping iron ore in 2015 despite ongoing challenges with securing funding.

Australian stocks have tumbled for a third straight day, led by hefty falls from the major miners in response to a bleak outlook for iron ore prices.

The peak farmers' body is stepping up pressure on the federal government to stop major supermarkets abusing their market power.

A hot and dry summer has hurt the rural services operations of agribusiness Elders.

Consumers are getting more confident, with spending in February rising for the second month in a row.

Job advertisements on the internet fell by 4.3 per cent in February, federal government figures show.

Former state Labor MP Ernie Bridge is suing the state government and companies owned by two of Australia's richest women after being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.

Australia's economy has improved since the commodity price falls last year and is expected to improve further.

Australian stocks have opened 0.75 per cent weaker, with the big miners leading the broader market lower.

 Retailer David Jones' first half profit has fallen 14 per cent to $73.5 million due to fewer sales and spending to improve its business.

 US stocks closed mixed on Tuesday, holding on as the Cyprus financial crisis threatened to ignite more turmoil across the European financial system.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has been fined more than $100,000 for failing to ensure the safety of one of its workers who was killed on the job.

The Australian dollar is higher after the currency recovered from yesterday's fall, while taking a string of public comments from the Reserve Bank of Australia in its stride.

Australian stocks have closed lower for a second straight day after giving up early gains during afternoon trading.

The parliamentary career of veteran Greens MP Giz Watson has been brought to an end.Ms Watson failed in her bid for election to the upper house from the South West region.

Global miners Rio Tinto and Xstrata will cut around 200 jobs collectively as the weak global coal market and high Australian dollar squeeze the global miners’ operations in Queensland and NSW’s Hun

The federal opposition will support two of the government's bills to change media laws.

Internet provider TPG has upgraded earnings guidance after adding 36,000 new broadband customers in the first half on the way to a hefty lift in first half net profit.

The Australian share market has opened higher amid views that investors over-reacted to Europe's debt problems with heavy sell-offs yesterday.

The twin villains of Australian businesses in recent years - the high dollar and increased household savings - have saved the economy from overheating and spared consumers from outsized price hikes

Kitchen appliance maker Breville has lost a key distribution contract in Canada worth up to five per cent of its revenue.