AAP

Air fares continue to be under pressure in Australia as Qantas fights for a bigger share of the domestic passenger market.

Australian households could get an early Christmas present in the form of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia - but it will be a close call.

Economists say weaker exports and government spending cuts have been slowing economic growth.

Hanlong Mining's proposed takeover of Sundance Resources could be completed by Christmas after turmoil on financial markets forced the Sundance board to curb its price and timetable for the transac

The $51 million Murchison Widefield Array radio-telescope has been launched, boosting the nation's rapidly advancing radio-astronomy capabilities.

Western Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has finally begun production at its Malaysian processing plant following a recent court victory.

Agriculture Minister Terry Redman can't shed light on reports a Chinese agricultural giant could buy up to $4 billion worth of prime farmland after snapping up some 30,000 hectares in the past mont

The Australian market has opened higher, led by gains for the mining giants and optimism about the US economy.

Two top businessmen have been honoured by Australia for their contributions to the nation's resources and car industries.

US stocks have closed higher, helped by an expected strong upward revision in the US economic growth estimate for the third quarter.

The Australian dollar is higher as traders shrugged off a weaker domestic capital expenditure outlook and focused on positive comments about US debt negotiations.

A barge carrying nearly 2,000 tonnes of construction equipment has run aground on the coast near Cervantes, as emergency services frantically respond to storm damage across the state.

Australian shares closed firmer after encouraging comments by US politicians about avoiding the "fiscal cliff".

The bid to reduce general government sector spending in Western Australia is off to a bad start, rising 3.9 per cent in the September quarter compared to the same period in 2011.

Two Western Australian Liberal senators have broken ranks with their colleagues in declaring their support for a Labor bill to finalise the deregulation of wheat exports.

Australia is an "embarrassment" in the Asian region, a tourism conference has heard.

Property developer Stockland's incoming chief executive Mark Steinert is concerned that Australia's sluggish housing market is weighing down earnings.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott called for a judicial inquiry into the 20-year-old AWU "slush fund" affair, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard sought his apology for claims she had breached the law.

Stronger than expected business spending figures will give a boost to next yesterday's national accounts but economists doubt this will stand in the way of further interest rate cuts by the central

Australia's housing sector posted a mild rise in October, with new home sales lifting after three months of falls.

A union has accused Qantas of censorship after the airline pulled a series of in-flight advertisements promoting jobs for Australians in the mining sector.

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser says he does not expect any significant increase in iron ore prices soon, following a year of heavy falls in Australia's biggest export earner.

The Australian market is slightly higher after US politicians indicated they were willing to work together to ensure the economy didn't fall off the "fiscal cliff".

Julia Gillard's position as prime minister is "entirely untenable" following fresh revelations concerning her work as a lawyer almost 20 years ago, the opposition says.

US stocks scored solid gains on Wednesday, spurred by encouraging remarks by politicians on averting looming tax hikes and spending cuts that could harm the economy.

Premier Colin Barnett has upped the ante on the controversial Browse gas project, indicating that joint venture leader Woodside Petroleum might not receive state government approval for a floating

The Australian dollar is lower after trading in a tight range on uncertainties around Greece's bailout deal and concerns about the US fiscal cliff.

Parliament is considering legislation to set up a new school funding system but there is still little detail available about how that will work.

Former prime minster Paul Keating says compulsory superannuation contributions may have to rise to 15 per cent to meet a looming blowout in the cost of caring for Australia's ageing population.

 The Australian market closed slightly lower, amid renewed scepticism about the Greek bailout deal and avoiding the US fiscal cliff.

A native title claimant group has called for a federal inquiry into its allegations that iron ore miner Fortescue Metals "heavied" its way onto land in the Pilbara.