AAP

The Australian Greens have proposed a five-year moratorium on coal seam gas developments so thorough research can be done to assess its impact on land and communities.

Two protesters have scaled drill rigs at the site of Woodside's proposed gas hub near Broome.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with gains among the big miners offsetting weakness among financial stocks.

BC Iron managing director Mike Young has come out in support of Gina Rinehart and accused the federal government of twisting the Western Australian mining magnate's words.

The Australian dollar has risen strongly on weak US data and positive signs of economic growth in China.

US stock market turned a weak jobs report into positive news on Friday, ending higher on expectations that the data will lead to new Federal Reserve efforts to help the economy.

The Australian dollar closed almost a full US cent higher after the European Central Bank (ECB) revealed a plan to support the region's weaker economies.

DuluxGroup says it will accelerate its payments to Alesco shareholders if they accept its $210 million takeover offer.

Australian shares finished stronger, after global bourses reacted favourably to the European Central Bank's new plan to help ailing eurozone countries.

A national land freight strategy will lead to a streamlined and integrated transport system for moving goods around Australia, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has applauded the European Central Bank's plan for a massive European sovereign bond buy-up to stabilise markets as another step to putting the zone on a sustainable footing.

Falling commodity prices contributed to a three per cent fall in the value of Australian exports in July.

Media billionaire Kerry Stokes is expected to demand a better price for his stake in James Packer's Consolidated Media.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with resources companies leading the market higher amid broad-based gains.

The Australian dollar has pushed more than half a US cent higher after Europe's central bank unveiled a massive bond-buying program to help alleviate the euro zone's sovereign debt crisis.

US stocks have surged to new multi-year highs, helped by positive economic data and the European Central Bank's (ECB) new plan to help ailing eurozone countries in the bond market.

Shares in mineral sands miner Lynas Corporation have surged by more than 40 per cent after the rare earths miner was granted a temporary licence for its controversial rare earths refinery in Malays

The Australian share market has closed higher on the back of positive corporate news and jobs figures, and hopes for a resolution to Europe's debt crisis.

Shares in surfwear retailer Billabong are up by almost eight per cent after the company received a second takeover offer.

The High Court has expanded the number of bank charges that will be considered in a class action against allegedly excessive bank charges.

She brought the big guns - 15 senior cabinet ministers - but in the end, Prime Minister Julia Gillard rarely needed to draw on them in the Labor industrial heartland of Kwinana.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has defended $5.5 billion in compensation being paid to the country's dirtiest power stations and dismissed a report that claims coal generators will actually be

The Australian share market has opened more than half a per cent higher as investors find value in beaten-down stocks.

Qantas flights to Europe will now stop over in Dubai under a 10-year partnership signed between the Australian airline and Emirates.

Trade, higher education and green growth will top Prime Minister Julia Gillard's agenda when she meets with Asia-Pacific leaders at a major summit in Russia this weekend.

The US Justice Department has has accused oil giant BP of "gross negligence and willful misconduct" in the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, court documents show.

US stocks have closed essentially flat on the eve of a crucial European Central Bank (ECB) policy meeting amid hopes for action to stem eurozone financial turmoil.

The Australian dollar has retreated to lower ground on concerns about the weaker iron ore price and outlook for global and domestic growth.

The Australian share market has finished lower as concern about Chinese growth dragged down material and industrial stocks.

Flinders Mines says a steep fall in the iron ore price won't harm the company's prospects, as it heads towards first production.

BHP Billiton will push ahead with its $US1 billion ($A981.98 million) Eagle Ford petroleum expansion in Texas as it aims to boost worldwide production levels by eight per cent.

Australia's principal federal political leaders have rejected Gina Rinehart's suggestion local wages are too high and are holding back the nation's competitiveness.