AAP

 Who would have thought a three-letter acronym could cause so much angst?It's hardly as if making changes to the make-up of the goods and services tax would be a walk in the park.

The first Ford factory workers have emerged from nerve-racking meetings with the company, but even those who have kept their jobs say watching others get the sack has been devastating.

The head of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) says the federal government needs to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to engagement in Asia.

The Australian share market has opened flat with investors appearing cautious due to negative leads out of Europe and the US.

The International Monetary Fund has given the Australian economy a "big tick" in a new assessment, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Mining boss Andrew Forrest says his High Court challenge against the federal government's mining tax is about conquering evil.

US stocks zig-zagged around the break-even line in volatile trade on Thursday before ending slightly lower, pulled down in part by Walmart's disappointing earnings.

The Australian dollar has followed global share markets lower to finish the day down almost one US cent.

The Australian stock market closed almost one per cent lower following steep falls on Wall Street.

Lend Lease Group has incurred its "first strike," with 26 per cent of shareholders voting against the property developer's executive pay report.

 The state government is facing a massive compensation bill after finally agreeing to total responsibility for the property lost when a prescribed burn got out of control in Margaret River las

 A 44-year-old Perth man has been charged with supplying false medical certificates to gain more than $90,000 in benefits from his employer.

Loss-making BlueScope Steel still expects to remain in the red during the first half of the 2012/13 financial year.

Consumers appear less concerned about the inflation outlook, despite recent official price data showing stronger than expected pressures.

 A coalition government would aim to double the rate of small business growth in Australia, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Shares in rare earths miner Lynas have fallen by more seven per cent after Malaysian activists continued legal action against the company's controversial processing plant.

Department store chain Myer has experienced its second consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth but chief Bernie Brookes is remaining cautious about Christmas sales.

The Australian market is more than three-quarters of a per cent lower after Wall Street plunged overnight.

Qantas Airways will spend $100 million to buy back about four per cent of its issued stocks in a move to strengthen its dwindling share price.

US stocks tumbled on Wednesday as President Barack Obama challenged Republicans to accept tax increases for the wealthy in a deal to avert the year-end fiscal cliff.

Premier Colin Barnett has defended comments by federal opposition leader Tony Abbott in which he described Liberal MP Ken Wyatt as an "urban Aboriginal".

The Australian dollar is almost half a US cent higher on improved consumer sentiment and weakness in the greenback.

The Greens say BHP Billiton must be made to prepare a new environmental impact statement (EIS) after indicating new technologies may be used to expand the Olympic Dam Mine in South Australia.

The Australian market ended a four-day run of losses to close higher, driven by large financial sector stocks.

Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder says the company is performing in line with its profit guidance so far this financial year and its retail businesses are continuing to grow.

A transport union which says Coles risks lives by pressuring truck drivers to meet tight deadlines is staging protests aimed at the supermarket giant's shareholders as well as customers.

Qantas will be vindicated within three years for its massive jobs cuts, withdrawal from loss-making routes and deferred aircraft orders, the flying kangaroo's new partner Emirates says.

Australia will have to seriously consider nuclear power as an option if there is no breakthrough on baseload clean energy, Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says.

The world's largest diversified resources company BHP Billiton has become less diverse after exiting the diamond mining business.

A slightly weaker-than-expected reading for wage prices in Australia gives few clues on whether the reserve bank will cut its interest rate soon.

The Australian market was flat in early trade in the absence of any clear offshore leads.

Retailers could be in for a better Christmas period following a jump in consumer confidence amid signs that lower interest rates are finally making their mark.