AAP

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.

Workers at a Rio Tinto subsidiary in NSW are threatening industrial action to protect job security and protest against "anti-union proposals".

The Australian market closed higher as the resources sector staged a recovery due to a jump in commodity prices.

Greater demand from miners and the New Zealand dairy industry has helped explosives and chemicals supplier Orica increase its profits by six per cent.

Australian retailers hope March trading figures are just a "temporary blip" as they urge the Reserve Bank to slash interest rates even further.

The live animal export industry warns animals will suffer if Australia withdraws from the trade.

Fortescue Metals Group has officially opened its Firetail iron ore mine in the Pilbara today, part of a wider $3.2 billion development.

Boral says a downturn in demand for brick and masonry in Western Australia has contributed to falling earnings, leading the building products supplier to look to cut costs across its operations.

The Australian sharemarket has opened more than one per cent higher after strong US jobs numbers pushed American stocks to a record high and helped miners outperform the market.

The federal opposition doubts new revenue projections for Labor's mining tax, after an independent body said it would raise just $800 million in its first year.

The Australian dollar has pushed above 103 US cents on news of improvements in the US jobs market.

European and US stock markets soared to end last week, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Germany's Dax setting new records, as strong US jobs data for April revived confidence in the US economic recovery.

The Australian sharemarket closed flat as investors reap profits from booming bank stocks and some worries about global growth.

Travellers can expect to enjoy cheaper domestic airfares for a little longer, as Australia's major carriers keep adding seats into the local market.

The Australian share market has opened one per cent higher.

Westpac has lifted its first half profit by 11 per cent as it pursues growth opportunities such as deposits.

The S&P 500 has reached a new all-time high, boosted by an expected European Central Bank interest rate cut and a surprisingly good US jobless claims report.

The Australian share market has closed 0.7 per cent lower, with concerns about global economic growth pulling down resources stocks.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she will introduce legislation to increase the Medicare levy to support Labor's national disability care scheme to be voted on by MPs later this month.

The Australian economy faces a pothole in economic growth because non-mining investment is not adequate to fill the gap left by the fast-fading resources investment boom, an independent forecaster warns.

The Australian market has opened lower as lacklustre Chinese manufacturing data impacts mining stocks.

The Australian dollar has dropped back below 103 US cents for the first time in three days amid falls on US stock markets and weaker commodity prices.

US stocks have tumbled following weak employment and manufacturing data, and as the Federal Reserve stuck to its aggressive economic stimulus program.