AAP

Tasmanian timber company Gunns has collapsed into voluntary administration and could struggle to find a buyer for its troubled businesses.

Australian stocks have opened slightly weaker, with concerns over Germany's business confidence and euro zone debt weighs down investor sentiment.

A coalition government would provide cheaper broadband services more quickly to Australians with its alternative national broadband network (NBN), opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbu

A sharp fall by Facebook and weakness in Apple's shares despite the strong iPhone 5 launch have helped pull US markets lower.

The Australian dollar has fallen by half a US cent amid talk of more interest rate cuts by the central bank.

Australian shares started the week lower with weaker commodity prices contributing to big falls in mining stocks.

Shareholders aren't getting value for money from Australia's corporate leaders, a union says.

New Zealand-based resins maker Nuplex Industries will eliminate up to 80 jobs in a restructuring that will close four plants NZ and Australia, including one in Canning Vale, over the next

Consolidated Media Holdings shareholders will get to vote on a $1.94 billion takeover bid by Rupert Murdoch's News Limited at a special meeting in October.

Consumer group Choice has called for greater powers to be given to the energy market regulator to ensure "unjustifiable" rises in power prices over the past five years don't happen again.

Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the opposition should release its costed policy for a national broadband network (NBN), instead of launching a survey.

National Australia Bank has joined its rival ANZ in bringing forward to November its prediction of when the Reserve Bank will next cut the cash rate.

Australia's live sheep exports to the Middle East will resume this week, but producers will have to foot the bill for new measures introduced to appease importers.

The federal government has reported a slightly smaller-than-forecast budget deficit for 2011/12, helped by higher individual tax receipts and lower outgoings.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has denied his comments about "cranks and crazies" taking over the US Republican Party were directed at vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan.

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

Newly installed Macmahon chief executive Ross Carroll says large scale rail projects will be off the agenda under his leadership as the company adapts to life after the resources boom.

If live sheep exports to the Middle East do not resume soon, nations with lower animal welfare standards could fill the gap, Premier Colin Barnett has warned.

US stocks are showing clear signs of frailty as investors grow increasingly worried about slowing economic growth and corporate earnings.

The Australian dollar has staged a surprising rebound, courtesy of its weaker US counterpart.

Australian shares have closed firmer, with gains underpinned by strength in the financial sector.

Qantas will be split up and sold off at a "rock-bottom price" within four years if its proposed tie-up with Emirates goes ahead, the transport union says.

Retail brand owner Premier Investments says it is enjoying great success from its shops in Singapore and plans to push into other Asian markets.

Growing interest from China and Australians wanting to explore their own backyard is set to boost tourism spending to almost $72 billion over the coming year.

An electrical fault has caused a reduction in capacity at Newcrest's Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea.

About 800 construction workers have staged a protest at a children's hospital site in Perth after a major crane accident this week that could have proved fatal.

The International Monetary Fund has given the Australian economy a resounding vote of confidence and endorsed a return to surplus, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

The Australian market has opened slightly higher after weak leads from Wall Street and European markets.

Legislation to ensure James Price Point is the only site on the Kimberley coast where Browse Basin gas will be processed was introduced into state parliament yesterday.

The Australian dollar has lifted above the 104 US cents, on the back of improved data from Germany and commentary from the US central bank.

US stocks ended mixed after poor economic data in the US, Europe and China pushed markets to losses in early trade.

An independent veterinarian has provided a clean bill of health for Australian sheep sent to Pakistan after they were rejected in Bahrain, livestock exporter Wellard says.