AAP

The Australian dollar has closed at a five-week high after strong jobs data raised the prospect the central bank would leave interest rates unchanged in the period ahead.

Lower interest rates have been helping the residential building market to recover, with prices in many markets rising, a Reserve Bank of Australia official says.

Wesfarmers is raising million (.8 million) following the successful pricing of a bond issue in the United States.

A proposal to sell the sandalwood plantations managed by agribusiness Elders in the Ord River region to Santanol Pty Ltd has been endorsed by growers.

The Australian share market finished more than one per cent lower after better than expected jobs data cut the chance of another interest rate cut.

Several seats left undecided after Saturday's state election remain on a knife edge as counting continues in Eyre, Collie-Preston and Midland.

James Packer says politicians should curb their rhetoric on foreign workers during the federal election campaign, saying the current debate damages the nation's reputation abroad.

Journalist and author Debi Marshall is the latest wordsmith to be served a subpoena by the lawyers of billionaire Gina Rinehart.

Labor senator Doug Cameron says there is no evidence the federal government should hand some of its powers over the environment to the states.

The Australian share market has opened flat despite stocks in the United States posting their longest winning streak in more than 16 years.

Department store retailer Myer made a better-than-expected profit of $88 million in the first six months of its financial year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average set a new record closing for the seventh straight day Wednesday as US stocks registered small gains.

Emerging iron ore miner NSL Consolidated has struck a $12 million deal with a large Indian company to expand its mining projects on the sub-continent.

The Australian dollar is higher after the release of some encouraging consumer sentiment figures.

Businesses expect the pain of a high exchange rate to intensify over the coming year, with exporters saying they will respond by slashing their investment spending.

Some of Australia's top companies aren't using their social media sites effectively, according to a federal government-funded study.

The Australian share market closed lower on Wednesday, dragged down by the four big banks.

Australian consumer sentiment has hit its highest level in more than two years but is yet to provide a boost to the economy.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says proposed media laws changes won't curtail the freedom of the press or allow governments to control the news.

The federal government is likely to produce a budget deficit of about $20 billion this financial year on the back of declining company tax revenues, according to new analysis.

The chances of more interest rate cuts have improved after home loan approvals fell in January.

The Australian share market has opened 0.4 per cent lower as the recent good run by global markets shows signs of fizzling out.

BHP Billiton has denied any wrongdoing after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and US authorities launched an investigation into bribery allegations surrounding the company's sponsorship of the B

National Australia Bank plans to save about $800 million a year from new changes to its business that include a major reshuffle of its senior managers.

Retail sales growth is expected to gain momentum over the next two years, thanks to improvements in the housing sector and better economic conditions.

US stocks closed mostly lower on Tuesday in quiet trade, but the Dow squeezed out a sixth straight day of record-high closings.

The Liberal Party has claimed victory in another electorate, saying Glenys Godfrey has won the seat of Belmont.

Mining giant Rio Tinto says it's trying to secure financing for its Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.

Australia will host an inaugural Australia-Hong Kong trade and investment dialogue to pursue greater international use of the Chinese currency, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

BHP Billiton is generating weaker cash flow than expected but Standard & Poor's has let it off the credit rating hook.

The Australian share market finished lower due to falls in the resources sector.