AAP

The Australian stockmarket opened lower after iron ore prices fell overnight.

Tourism from Indonesia and Malaysia is expected to rapidly rise by 2015, while the number Australians holiday overseas is showing signs of easing, a survey has found.

US stocks see-sawed in more light, noncommittal trade on Wednesday to close almost flat for the third straight session, amid fresh data that sent more mixed signals on the economy.

The Australian dollar is flat as markets wait for a key address by the US Federal Reserve chairman that could hint at further moves to stimulate the American economy.

Federal Labor's promise to deliver a budget surplus in 2012/13 has again come under fire after it announced plans to spend $4 billion on dental health care reforms.

Company profits are down but still not the horror story expected due to a spate of under-promising and over-delivering in the profit-reporting season.

The head of construction and maintenance firm Transfield Services has stepped down after turning a full year loss into a healthy net profit of $84.8 million.

The Australian share market has closed almost flat as investors wait to see if there will be more moves to stimulate the sluggish US economy.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr says he's comfortable sharing a conference stage with a Congolese minister who has been probed by French authorities for alleged human rights abuses.

Construction on new homes and units has slumped to its lowest level in a decade, prompting fresh calls from Australia's housing industry for governments to do more to support the struggling sector.

Southern Cross Austereo says it is well-positioned for the difficult advertising market after reporting a hefty lift in full year net profit.

Environmental activism group Friends of the Earth has lodged a complaint with the Australian Securities Exchange against sunscreen ingredient maker Antaria, alleging that Antaria has violated the C

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the federal government is "wrong-headed" to link its emissions trading scheme (ETS) to Europe's carbon market.

Shark nets probably won't be adopted at metropolitan beaches, with Premier Colin Barnett saying swimmers can feel safe between the flags in patrolled areas.

Australia's construction data continues to follow a weak trend, with some optimism around engineering, economists say.

Australian oil and gas producer ROC Oil has continued its positive run, booking a $US28.6 million ($A27.69 million) net profit for the first half of the year.

Operations have resumed at Newcrest's flagship gold mine in Papua New Guinea after a dispute with local land owners was resolved.

Australian stocks have opened flat, with weakness among resources stocks offset by gains in defensive market sectors.

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The federal government's dumping of the carbon floor price is a cruel hoax for consumers, the opposition says.

US stocks have finished mixed after economic data gave no clear direction on the economy, and as investors awaited a key speech by Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke on Friday.

Treasurer Wayne Swan insists the Labor government will return the budget to surplus next year despite falling commodity prices.

Weaker commodity prices have helped the Australian dollar drift to a fresh one month low while traders sit tight ahead of a closely-watched US Federal Reserve summit.

Figures this week will shed some light on a much talked about question - the timing of the peak in the resources investment boom.

Australian stocks have closed firmer, with defensive sectors leading the broader market higher.

DuluxGroup has threatened to walk away from takeover talks with Alesco Corporation if the target company does not agree to resolve a dispute over the size of dividends in the deal.

The state government must quickly tell runners injured in the 2011 Kimberley Ultramarathon if they will receive ex-gratia payments, the opposition says.

 A coalition federal government would review the ban on Chinese company Huawei taking part in the National Broadband Network, communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull says.

The federal government say Australia's price of carbon from 2015 will be linked to the European Union emissions trading scheme (ETS).

Shopping centre owner Centro Retail Australia has posted a $223 million loss, due mainly to costs related to its settlement of a class action.

Australia's biggest gold miner Newcrest has suspended production at its Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea due to a dispute with land owners.

The number of apprentices completing their trades training in Australia is a national disgrace, Federal Skills Minister Chris Evans says.