AAP

Jobs and growth pressures in Western Australia are expected to be the focus of a community cabinet meeting in Perth on September 5.

The Australian market has opened higher following mixed leads from Europe and the US overnight.

Australia's two-decade long economic expansion is at risk unless productivity growth returns to its long term average, according to a new report.

US stocks have closed mixed with the Dow and S&P 500 essentially flat for the second straight day as fresh data releases failed to give any clearer picture of US economic growth.

Community sentiment towards Australia's newest onshore asylum-seeker detention centre remains mixed, Northam Shire president Steve Pollard says.

Shares in Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF) fell after Pipeline Partners Australia (PPA) Pty Ltd increased its cash offer for the fund by 10 cents to $2.43 per security.

A range of positive factors, including solid wage growth, has failed to lift the mood of consumers.

The Australian stock market finished lower as nervous investors made for the safety of defensive stocks amid thin trading volumes.

Etihad Airways will add to its growth through investments in other airlines such as Virgin Australia, its chief says.

Premier Colin Barnett says he will do all he can to ensure Woodside's planned Browse gas hub remains at James Price Point in the Kimberley.

Westfield has lifted its first half profit by nearly a third and says it will boost investment in its better-performing Australian shopping centres to drive earnings further.

One of the world's largest credit agencies has warned Australia's states and territories to watch their persistent budget deficits and rising debt levels.

Businesses facing a high staff turnover must re-examine hiring policies, or suffer the expense of continually taking on new workers, a specialist recruitment firm has warned.

Wage prices data which came in close to expectations is unlikely to sway the Reserve Bank of Australia's monetary policy too much, economists say.

Mirvac Group has appointed London-based investment executive Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz as its new managing director, replacing Nick Collishaw.

The "world's biggest" carbon tax is partly responsible for a decline in international business confidence in Australia, the federal opposition says.

Oz Minerals has lifted its first half profit to $119.5 million but warned its full year production could come in at the lower end of its forecast.

The Australian stock market opened stronger this morning, with a strong earnings report from the Commonwealth Bank giving the market a boost in the early session of trading.

Commonwealth Bank's record $7.1 billion profit will benefit millions of Australian households, its chief executive says.

US stocks gave up early gains helped by a better-than-expected reading on retail sales and closed flat, with the Dow held up by a strong performance from Home Depot.

The Australian Greens say Woodside Petroleum has heavily underestimated whale numbers off the Western Australian coast, near the site of its proposed $34 billion gas hub.

Four people face a total of six corruption charges over allegedly tampering with urine samples at a laboratory in the Pilbara in order to secure work in the resources sector.

Bipartisan support is expected for proposed new legislation in Western Australia banning taxpayer-funded government advertising within three months of a state election, the oppositio

The Australian share market finished higher, reversing earlier small losses as investors switched into defensive stocks.

It's been called Perth's greatest natural asset, but the stunning Swan River is under increasing pressure from climate change and deadly algal blooms.

Melbourne has claimed gold as the world's most liveable city, but Sydney has lost its status as Australia's second most desirable destination ... to Adelaide.

Environmental groups have called on the federal government to reject a push to allow state governments to approve certain business developments without federal oversight.

Australian businesses regained their confidence in July, as global sentiment stabilised, and the impact of Reserve Bank of Australia rate cuts began to be felt.

The High Court is about to begin hearing Australia's largest class action case with 38,000 customers taking on the ANZ bank over its fees.

Telecommunications carrier Optus has suffered a slide in earnings and revenue during the first quarter of its financial year.

National Australia Bank made a $1.2 billion profit in the three months to June, while its revenue dropped because of higher funding costs and weak financial markets.

The Australian market has opened flat amid speculation investors are unwilling to push stocks any higher after recent rallies.