AAP

A major part of a colossal radio telescope that astronomers expect will provide the farthest peek into the universe has been officially opened in the remote, red-dirt desert of the Mid West.

Westpac, the Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank have cut their variable home loan rates but failed to match that of the Reserve Bank, citing the high costs of deposits.

BHP Billiton's chief executive Marius Kloppers has offloaded another $1.8 million worth of shares to help fund a tax bill.

Construction activity in Australia fell by its sharpest rate in 12 months during September, an industry study shows.

Equity market operator ASX Ltd says global economic uncertainty has kept trading levels subdued so far in 2012/13.

Bank of Queensland is poised to post the first full year loss by an Australian bank in 20 years because of its exposure to the struggling south-east Queensland property market.

Australian shares have opened higher due to strong gains in the resources and financial sectors.

Fortescue Metals Group board member Ken Ambrecht will end his nine year tenure with the company later this year.

A class action brought by Australian lawyers has compelled seven New York bankers to answer shareholders' questions about massive losses incurred by the National Australia Bank during the global fi

US stocks have extended their gains, with some analysts crediting Mitt Romney's strong presidential debate performance against Barack Obama for the surge.

The fall in iron ore prices will be good for Australian producers in the long term, BC Iron managing director Mike Young says.

The Australian dollar has lifted from its one month lows after several days of falls, despite being weighed down by weak retail sales data.

Qantas Airways is getting on with the job of preparing for its proposed 10-year alliance with Emirates after dropping plans to seek interim authorisation from the competition regulator.

Sirius Resources shares jumped more than three per cent today as the popular nickel explorer outlined plans to go into production.

Shares in troubled surf retailer Billabong have dived 18 per cent due to speculation a second private equity firm was considering withdrawing its takeover bid.

Australian superannuation funds have joined a global push to end Rupert Murdoch's dual role as chairman and chief executive of News Corporation.

Australian shares have closed slightly higher, as falls in some mining shares canceled out gains made in the financial sector.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has accused Tony Abbott of being "grossly irresponsible" for likening the future fortunes of the Australian economy to that of crisis-struck Europe.

A federal Liberal MP is refusing to step in line with his party over wheat deregulation, claiming the Nationals will push to bring back a "single-desk" system for the industry if the coalition wins

Australians are buying more cars and trucks this year with new vehicle sales increasing 9.4 per cent for the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period in 2011.

Australian businesses are spending tens of thousands of dollars on red-tape a year and hours a week complying with regulations.

The federal opposition has seized on comments from a senior power industry figure as proof removing the carbon tax will bring down electricity prices.

The resources boom in Western Australia is showing signs of levelling out rather than bracing for a bust, the state's mines and petroleum minister Norman Moore says.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has accused Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of sinking to new depths of negativity and economic recklessness by linking Europe's debt crisis to Australia's economy.

Building approvals and retail trade posted rises in August, but in both cases the gains made up less than half the ground lost by falls in July.

ANZ Banking Group will spend up to $1.5 billion on new mobile banking apps and upgrades of its branches as it looks to attract more customers.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the financial sector leading the broader market higher.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after a significant fall in recent days on weak trade data and monetary easing from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Hewlett Packard shares have plunged on concerns about the company's turnaround strategy but the markets overall closed higher, helped by firm reports on services sector growth and private hiring.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a one-month low following the release of weak domestic trade data and may be on its way back to parity with its US counterpart.

Federal political leaders are urging retail banks to pass on the latest official interest rate cut in full, as new economic data justifies the central bank's surprise decision at its monthly board

The world's largest drilling company Boart Longyear has shocked the market by sacking its chief executive in an attempt to tackle its plunging share price.