AAP

Treasurer Wayne Swan has played up the prospects for Australia's resources industry with a new report showing investment in new projects has hit a record $268.4 billion, even though commodity price

Premier Colin Barnett has labelled the federal government's Asian Century White Paper "underwhelming", describing it as lacking in analysis and objectivity.

Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop is under pressure to explain her contact with self-confessed union bagman Ralph Blewitt, as a Labor MP attacked her on Twitter as a "narcissistic bimbo".

Government spending cuts are having a negative impact on the construction sector, official figures show.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, with declines among mining-related sectors leading the broader market lower

New research claims one in four Australian consumers feel emotions close to love when considering which brand to buy.

US stocks have closed lower as fiscal cliff worries overshadow encouraging US economic data and investors shrug off Greece's revised bailout deal.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals has sought to reassure shareholders that the economic credentials of its biggest customer, China, remain sound following the country's recent leadership transition.

The Australian dollar has risen on news that European finance ministers have reached a deal on Greek bailout funds.

Economic data over the next few days will not only flesh out expectations for next week's national accounts, but also whether the central bank will cut the cash rate again.

The Australian share market has closed firmer as a Greek debt deal and stronger full-year profit guidance from vaccine maker CSL injected confidence.

Peter Meakin, Seven Network's long-time head of news, will step down from his role, which will be split between two successors.

Brickworks defended its four-decade-long cross-shareholding with Washington H Soul Pattison, but insists it has not shut the door on ending the arrangement.

The WACA pitch was dubbed the Green Monster last summer, and Australia skipper Michael Clarke fears the outcome of the third Test against South Africa will be decided by the coin toss.

Next year will be when Australia decides whether it wants an auto industry or not, GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux says.

Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey is expecting Christmas sales to be up on last year, especially if we have a hot summer.

Australia should focus on turning Perth into a global energy technology hub, the head of oil and gas producer Woodside says.

Would-be homebuyers should take heart from the latest survey showing a steady increase in housing affordability in all states.

Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop has accused Julia Gillard of helping to conceal a controversial legal entity set up by two union officials in the 1990s by not creating a file on the advice sh

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has committed a coalition government to creating one million jobs over the next five years and two million jobs within a decade.

Australia could face a recession as within two years unless the dollar and interest rates fall and major labour market reforms are introduced, a leading economist warns.

Australian stocks have opened firmer in quiet trading conditions as market players wait for the latest developments over Greece and the US budget.

Australia lags behind Canada, New Zealand and South Africa with its percentage of female executives and there has been only a negligible improvement among the top 200 listed companies over the past

Strong gains by Apple, Facebook and other key tech stocks sent the Nasdaq exchange higher on Monday while the Dow and S&P 500 sagged.

Gina Rinehart might be the richest woman in the world but she says her personal journey has not always been easy.

Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia expects to post a full-year loss of between $135 million and $155 million in fiscal 2012, as it continues to cut costs amid difficult market conditions.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent higher ahead of a key European meeting to decide on a bailout package for Greece.

Faf du Plessis survived at the crease for more than seven and a half hours to post one of the great hundreds by a debutant and lead South Africa to a famous draw with Australia in the second Test.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher as investors await more movement on addressing Greece's debt and the so-called fiscal cliff in the United States.

The Australian resources sector is well placed for the future although it could be held back because of higher costs and a lack of competitiveness, industry chiefs say.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has used parliamentary question time to raise the achievements of the Labor government after five years of power, saying it has been endorsed by the International Monetary Fund

Australia's big banks have actually helped competition in the mortgage market by refusing to pass on rate cuts in full, a new report says.