AAP

The Australian share market closed 0.7 per cent lower today, following steep falls on Wall Street.

The Australian stock exchange has finalised new requirements for mining and oil and gas companies to report their resources and reserves.

Qantas Airways says about 150 of its employees and 250 contractors will go as part of changes to its engineering operations.

A push by state governments to lower or scrap the GST threshold on online purchases from overseas would create a level playing field for the country's retailers, a peak lobby group says.

Mining contractor Macmahon Holdings says it has reached a termination agreement with its former chief executive Nick Bowen valued at more than $380,000.

Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says he's determined to work co-operatively with the states to reform the energy market, particularly on expanding the use of gas.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan remains unrepentant about his decision to ask Treasury to cost coalition tax polices, despite opposition criticism that he politicised the department.

Australian stocks are more than one per cent lower as weakness in the finance and resources-linked sectors lead broad-based declines.

Shares in Lynas Corporation surged in late trade after a Malaysian court paved the way for the company to begin operating a controversial rare earths processing plant.

Fewer big Australian companies are identifying risks to their business from the carbon tax than was the case last year, a new survey finds.

US stocks have tanked more than two per cent after President Barack Obama's re-election victory set up a tough battle with Republicans over the looming "fiscal cliff".

The Australian dollar rallied to a fresh six-week high on news US President Barack Obama had won a second term in office.

Australian stocks finished 0.7 per cent higher, and the Australian dollar recorded solid gains, as US President Barack Obama's victory sparked a late afternoon rally.

Illegal dumping of asbestos in Perth should stop after a landfill levy for the dangerous material is dropped, the state government says.

BHP Billiton has confirmed that the global mining giant is preparing for the departure of chief executive Marius Kloppers by preparing a succession plan.

Buru Energy and its partner Mitsubishi Corporation have signed the first-ever State Agreement covering onshore gas exploration, to support the develoment of their expansive tenements in the Canning

Business leaders will be invited to nominate talented women to sit on government boards to help them break through the glass ceiling.

Retailer Harvey Norman's profit in the first quarter of the 2012/13 financial year has dropped by 20 per cent because of falling sales.

Work has resumed at troubled auto parts maker Autodom's Victorian sites, shoring up a supply of components to Ford.

Downer EDI shares have soared more than seven per cent after the engineering firm said it was on track to achieve its full-year profit expectations.

Skilled workers in Australia's eastern states view a move west as akin to relocating overseas, with the cost of living, social isolation and remote job locations compounding reasons why they're sta

News Corporation says its Australian newspapers are suffering from weak advertising markets and the shift of readers online.

Australian construction activity is weakening at a slower rate than before, but has now been in contraction for 29 months, an industry study shows.

Australian stocks are slightly higher after positive leads from Europe and Wall Street.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has lifted its first quarter cash profit to about $1.85 billion but warns difficult economic conditions are beginning to hit businesses.

US stocks closed with solid gains as the country goes to the polls to choose between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney for president, with the economy the key issue in the tight election.

The Federal Court has made a ruling in favour of traditional owners following a five-year native title dispute with miners in the Pilbara.

Macmahon Holdings has apologised to shareholders for its recent earnings downgrade, as the mining contractor undertakes a review of costs and construction projects.

 Network Ten is expected to begin sacking journalists after failing to obtain sufficient voluntary redundancies, a union says.

The Australian stock market finished higher as investors sat on their hands ahead of the US presidential election.

The Australian dollar rallied to its highest level in almost six weeks after the Reserve Bank of Australia opted to keep the cash rate on hold for November.

Labour costs in Western Australia's mining industry remain high, despite commodity price falls and a slow down in the sector, the world's second biggest gold miner says.