AAP

Australian government agencies are failing to enforce standards designed to ensure kangaroos are humanely killed, a report says.

The Business Council of Australia has joined a growing number of industry groups concerned that the federal government may tweak existing concessions to pay for a cut in the corporate tax rate.

Australian shares closed down for the week and had a almost flat day, with investors cautious after the Spanish government unveiled budget plans to slash its deficit.

The builder of the $37.4-billion national broadband network has committed to freezing the prices of its consumer and business products for five years.

ANZ has been fined $US350,000 ($A336,619) by commodity regulators in the United States over its handling of wheat and cotton futures contracts.

Woolworths non-executive director and World Cup cricket organiser Ralph Waters has been elevated to the chairman's job after the surprise resignation of James Strong.

The head of the former Centro Properties Group was paid $3 million in the final five months of the shopping centre owner's operation.

Quickstep has won a $US12 million ($A11.5 million) deal to manufacture carbon fibre wing flaps for Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircraft.

Homeowners can bank on at least one interest rate cut by the end of the year, and it's possible it could come on Tuesday.

Green mining technologies such as carbon capture will be a major industry in the future, Rio Tinto's Australian coal boss says.

Shares in Sundance Resources have been placed in a trading halt ahead of an expected announcement from its Chinese suitor Hanlong Mining.

DuluxGroup has finally won over garage door maker Alesco Corporation in its long-running $210 million takeover battle.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Coles boss Ian McLeod remains the highest paid executive at conglomerate Wesfarmers, despite taking a slight pay cut last financial year.

US stock markets scored solid gains on Thursday amid speculation of additional stimulus measures from China and after Spain announced a 2013 austerity budget.

Budget fix needed to avoid shock – The Fin; Coalition split on wheat exports – The Aus; $3bn handout puts car makers in black – The Fin; Former director's assets frozen – The West; Hancock queries 'curious' timing – The Aus

The Australian dollar has risen by more than half a US cent after the Chinese central bank made its biggest weekly cash injection into money markets.

Australian shares have closed higher, after an announcement of an economic stimulus program by the Chinese central bank boosted local market confidence.

The Australian Labor Party is on track to meet its target of recruiting 8000 new members by the end of 2012, senior party figures say.

Sharks that get too close to swimmers may be killed before they get a chance to attack, under the state government's response to an unprecedented spate of fatalities.

Darrell Lea chocolates will be on the shelves of IGA supermarkets by the end of October under the first deal signed by the chocolate maker's new owner.

The number of job vacancies in Australia has risen by 4.2 per cent, official statistics show.

Woolworths shares have dipped slightly in early trade after it announced the sale of its Dick Smith Electronics chain to a private equity firm for $20 million.

Regulatory barriers affecting mineral and resource exploration companies will be the subject of a new Productivity Commission inquiry.

Australia's banknotes are set for a high-tech upgrade but the Queen's place on the $5 bill is safe.

Australian stocks have opened weaker for the fourth successive day as concerns that Spain could seek a bail-out hit resource equities.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has sought an extension to the indenture agreement to cover its mothballed $30 billion expansion of the Olympic Dam mine.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after falling to its lowest level in more than two weeks on renewed concerns about the euro zone sovereign debt crisis.

US stocks have sunk following the lead of Asian and European markets amid a rise in turmoil in the eurozone.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan is confident Asia's transition to a global economic powerhouse over the next decade will provide Australians with new and interesting kinds of jobs.

The Australian dollar has fallen below 104 US cents on the back of weak regional stock markets and a lack of positive economic news. 

Mining baron Nathan Tinkler has been knocked off the top spot on the BRW Young Rich List for the first time since 2009 - and he's now down to his last $400 million.