AAP

The Australian dollar has soared to its highest level in three weeks amid optimism the US Federal Reserve will introduce a fresh round of economic stimulus.

The Australian share market has closed higher as investors gain enough confidence to pick up beaten down stocks, especially in the mining sector.

 Former premier-turned-lobbyist Brian Burke has denied asking a senior public servant to break the law so he could obtain government information.

Bank-bashing may be Australia's national sport, but consumers rate them as the safest place to park their hard-earned cash.

Half of Western Australia's planned resources projects are teetering on the edge of oblivion, partly because of wage blow-outs, the state's former attorney-general Christian Porter warns.

The Liberal Party has been far too quiet on industrial relations (IR) issues such as unfair dismissal, Howard-era minister Peter Reith says.

Shares in Phylogica  have jumped 12 per cent, after the drug discoverer licensed a skin-repair compound to New York-based cosmetics firm Le Metier de Beaute.

Premier Colin Barnett has defended the process behind the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) decision to recommend Woodside Petroleum's proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub.

House prices across capital cities rose in the three months to June, but it is still cheaper for most Australians to buy a home today than it was a year ago.

Gina Rinehart's youngest daughter has been refused leave to seek to have her family's multimillion-dollar trust fund battle dealt with through mediation.

Consumer confidence has risen slightly, but remains sluggish despite several cash rate cuts and a relatively solid economy, a study has found.

Australian shares have opened slightly higher as investors remain cautious ahead of a US Federal Reserve meeting and a German court decision on the eurozone debt rescue fund.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke says the government is on strong ground to avoid paying compensation over its ban of a super trawler.

The Australian dollar has risen ahead of a key German court ruling on a European bailout fund, and a meeting of the US Federal Reserve's policy body.

US stocks have mostly risen, lifted by upbeat economic data and hopes that a Federal Reserve meeting will deliver economic stimulus and a key German court decision will ease eurozone turmoil.

The Australian dollar is a touch lower ahead of a ruling by German court on the euro zone bailout fund, and a key meeting of the US Federal Reserve.

Australian stocks closed slightly weaker ahead of a key German court decision about the euro zone funding package, with declines among the utilities and financial sectors leading the broader market

A senior public servant on trial for corruption says he authorised himself to pass government information to former premier-turned-lobbyist Brian Burke, arguing it was not confidential.

Industry and lobby groups fear the Newman government's first budget will drive up unemployment in Queensland, due to substantial cuts to public service jobs and a hike in mining royalties.

Mix 94.5 has retained its clear lead in the Perth radio market despite a dip in listeners, while 92.9 has slumped.

Calls to abandon a genetically modified wheat trial in Western Australia amid reports certain varieties could cause liver failure have been dismissed by the state government as scare

Police are attempting to remove two protesters who have attached themselves to drill rigs at the site of Woodside's planned Browse gas hub.

Up to 800 nurses are expected to march on parliament to protest against parking fees at public hospitals where they work.

Wheat production is forecast to be around 24 per cent lower this year with the industry facing mixed prospects heading into spring, the government's commodity forecaster says.

Australia's economy is strong enough for the Reserve Bank to hold off on another rate cut in 2012, despite concerns about weaker commodity prices and the mining boom, a report says.

Good news for job seekers: employers are still hiring.A survey of Australian employers suggests the job market is likely to remain steady in the final three months of 2012.

Australian stocks had a lacklustre opening after falls on Wall Street and in Europe.

The Australian dollar has weakened on falling optimism in Europe and weaker Chinese import data.

US stocks have fallen as investors digested an unexpected decline in consumer credit, another weak signal on consumer spending, and Apple plummeted ahead of its expected iPhone 5 launch.

 Australian building products maker Boral has appointed the 61-year-old head of US operations as its new chief executive.

Federal MP Bob Katter has led a vocal protest against the proposed network of marine parks around Australia.