AAP

Retailer Kathmandu has shrugged off the tough retail outlook by sharply upgrading its profit forecast, as shoppers' enthusiasm for travel and adventure remains strong.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has chosen former foreign minister Alexander Downer as her second representative on the board of oil and gas explorer Lakes Oil.

The state government plans to give over the emergency lane in the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel to traffic, despite a coroner's safety recommendations.

Aquila Resources has received the green light from the state government to develop Anketell Port as part of its $6 billion iron ore project.

Unions are making a last-ditch plea to the consumer watchdog against a partnership between Qantas and Emirates airlines.

Australia's manufacturing sector contracted for the 11th straight month in January, marking a weak start to 2013 for the industry.

The Australian share market has opened higher despite a fall on Wall Street, supported by gains in the financial and resources sectors.

Western Australia's alternative leader is unlikely to stand up to the Commonwealth to protect the boom state's interests, Premier Colin Barnett says.

US stocks have finished lower, with BlackBerry maker Research in Motion losing 5.8 per cent after launching a new operating system and Dow Chemical sagging nearly 7 per cent on a quarterly loss.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard insists she hasn't fired the starter's gun for an eight-month election campaign, but is still demanding the coalition detail its policies.

The Australian dollar has pared back after official data suggested that growth in the US has slowed.

The Australian share market has closed slightly weaker, snapping a 10-day winning streak, after markets in the United States fell.

Premier Colin Barnett has scorned what is shaping to be the focus of the state opposition's election campaign, its ambitious rail network plan.

Gina Rinehart has held on to the top spot on Forbes Asia's annual Australian rich list despite falling iron ore prices eating into her billion (.41 billion) mining fortune.

Maternity and children's retailer Mothercare Australia has gone into administration after the Myer family pulled the pin on a deal to buy the business.

Premier Colin Barnett has rejected suggestions he inappropriately used a government jet to fly to Albany for an election campaign launch, saying the event was not for him.

Explosives and mining chemicals supplier Orica says it is on track to meet its guidance on financial performance despite a drop in its specialty bolts and injectable chemicals business.

The state opposition has accused the state government of raiding Lotterywest in the lead up to the March 9 election.

Grocery giant Woolworths has made $30.7 billion in first-half sales with the retailer saying it had placed a greater focus on its core business.

Virgin Australia's $98 million plan to buy regional airline Skywest has been given the go-ahead by the competition watchdog.

 The Australian share market has opened higher.

Final decisions on $126 billion of planned resources projects during 2013 will determine whether the investment pipeline slows gradually or comes to an abrupt halt, an independent forecaster says.

US stocks have closed modestly lower after data unexpectedly showed the economy shrank in the fourth quarter last year and the Federal Reserve maintained its loose monetary policy.

The Australian dollar has edged slightly higher ahead of a key meeting of the US central bank.

With the election date set, Australia's business community is urging both sides of federal politics to quickly start fleshing out their corporate policies.

Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh has resigned as a director of Seven West Media following his appointment to the global miner's top job and relocation to London.

More traditional owners in the Kimberley have called on the United Nations to intervene in Woodside's planned Browse gas project.

The Australian share market pulled back in late trading but still closed slightly higher, with investors unfazed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing that the next federal election would be o

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the 2013 federal election will be about trust when the poll is held in eight months' time."The coalition is ready," he told reporters in Canberra.

If Labor wins the state election in March, the $2.6 billion Elizabeth Quay project on the waterfront could get a name change. But it probably won't be Regina Marina.

Westpac is raising $500 million through the issue of hybrid securities to investors to strengthen its capital position.

Premier Colin Barnett's threat to withhold election campaign funding from the federal Liberal party unless it backs his push for GST reform is "not believable",  state Opposition Leader Mark M