AAP

Western Australia appears set to follow Victoria and opt out of Julia Gillard's proposed Gonski school reforms, if Premier Colin Barnett is re-elected in March.

At least $13 billion is needed to reduce congestion at Australian airports to cope with increased demand from Asia.

In the face of a high dollar, Australian tourism chiefs are turning to multi-billion-dollar business events to lure more foreigners - and their cash - to our shores.

Tropical Cyclone Rusty has been upgraded to a category two and is moving slowly towards the Pilbara coast but it's unclear when or where it will hit land.

Ten Network Holdings shares are up in early trade as market players express hope that new management may improve the struggling free-to-air broadcaster's performance.

Caltex Australia has returned to profitability as its refining businesses showed the results of recent structural changes.

Nurses have accepted an in-principle offer of a 14 per cent pay increase over three years from Premier Colin Barnett, putting an end to bed closures and further strike action.

The Australian sharemarket has opened higher as investors continuing to chase high yielding stocks.

Qantas director Corrine Namblard has resigned from the airline's board after becoming caught up in an Italian corruption investigation.

Engineers, IT professionals, corporate services managers and accountants continue to be in short supply across Australia, research shows.

US stocks closed higher on Friday on renewed confidence that the US Federal Reserve stimulus program will continue.

The Australian dollar is three quarters of a US cent higher following Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens' appearance before a federal parliamentary committee.

Television broadcaster Ten Network Holdings has received an $80 million cash advance from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Waste management company Transpacific Industries will axe 200 jobs as it seeks to lower costs amid weakness in its manufacturing and industrial markets.

The Australian share market partially reversed its big sell-off with a solid finish after the Reserve Bank's positive comments about the economy.

Australian Greens leader Christine Milne says the federal government's Gonski education reforms should be fast-tracked and the necessary funding drawn from a redesigned mining tax.

The boss of the national broadband network builder is open to a debate about alternative technologies for the future of Australia's telecommunications systems.

The leader of the West Australian nurses' union says he was sworn at in a confrontation with the head of the state's health department as nurses made further threats to strike at public hospitals o

Miners will be asked to relinquish leases on the Mitchell Plateau under the state opposition's plans to establish national parks in the Kimberley region.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has appointed two new board members, including its first female director.

Shopping mall group Federation Centres is back in the black, six months after settling a major class action, and expects a supermarket price war to underpin growth.

Nurses at public hospitals across the metropolitan area are poised to strike if they don't get an acceptable resolution to wage talks.

Treasurer Wayne Swan denies a proposal to ensure the costs of political promises are revealed soon after the election means Labor is heading for election defeat.

Santos' full year net profit has dropped by nearly a third but the oil and gas producer still expects to meet its production targets in 2013.

James Packer's casino operator Crown has posted a 34 per cent drop in first half profit, as weak consumer sentiment and refurbishment work affected its business.

The Australian market has opened stronger despite a fall on Wall Street overnight, earning back some of Thursday's massive losses.

The Reserve Bank of Australia says the mining investment boom is close to its peak.

Troubled surfwear retailer Billabong has posted a $537 million first half loss and downgraded its expectations for underlying earnings in the full year.

US stocks closed lower Thursday, hit by weak data on US manufacturing and a glum turn downward in the much-watched Markit purchasing managers index that suggested more recession in the eurozone.

Oil and gas giant PetroChina wants to buy part of ConocoPhillips' stake in two oil and gas exploration projects in Western Australia.

Woolworths has questioned calls for more supermarket regulation as the competition watchdog signals a renewed focus on market power.

The Australian dollar is more than one US cent lower after speculation the US Federal Reserve could wind back its stimulus program earlier than expected caused a slide in global share markets.