AAP

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.

Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan has challenged the federal opposition to prove it's ready to roll out new policies by handing them over to the parliamentary budget office.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher as investors digested economic data from the United States and China.

Law firm Slater and Gordon is about to launch legal action against the state Department of Environment and Conservation on behalf of Margaret River bushfire victims.

As the global economy continues to sputter, investors are once again turning towards what they always seem to in difficult times: gold bullion.

Property giant Mirvac and mining magnate Nathan Tinkler will return to court next week to continue their stoush over a multi-million-dollar agreement to buy industrial land for a new coal terminal

Striking security guards at Perth courts have warned industrial action will continue if they can't reach an acceptable employment agreement with G4S.

BHP Billiton and Xstrata Coal have separately announced they will cut up to 900 coal mining jobs in response to falling commodity prices and the high Australian dollar.

The Singaporean government has admitted that the island state will be impacted by Qantas's decision to move its regional hub to Dubai but says it can replace the lost airline and passenger flows.

The Australian Greens have proposed a five-year moratorium on coal seam gas developments so thorough research can be done to assess its impact on land and communities.

Two protesters have scaled drill rigs at the site of Woodside's proposed gas hub near Broome.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with gains among the big miners offsetting weakness among financial stocks.

BC Iron managing director Mike Young has come out in support of Gina Rinehart and accused the federal government of twisting the Western Australian mining magnate's words.

The Australian dollar has risen strongly on weak US data and positive signs of economic growth in China.

US stock market turned a weak jobs report into positive news on Friday, ending higher on expectations that the data will lead to new Federal Reserve efforts to help the economy.

The Australian dollar closed almost a full US cent higher after the European Central Bank (ECB) revealed a plan to support the region's weaker economies.

DuluxGroup says it will accelerate its payments to Alesco shareholders if they accept its $210 million takeover offer.

Australian shares finished stronger, after global bourses reacted favourably to the European Central Bank's new plan to help ailing eurozone countries.

A national land freight strategy will lead to a streamlined and integrated transport system for moving goods around Australia, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has applauded the European Central Bank's plan for a massive European sovereign bond buy-up to stabilise markets as another step to putting the zone on a sustainable footing.

Falling commodity prices contributed to a three per cent fall in the value of Australian exports in July.

Media billionaire Kerry Stokes is expected to demand a better price for his stake in James Packer's Consolidated Media.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with resources companies leading the market higher amid broad-based gains.

The Australian dollar has pushed more than half a US cent higher after Europe's central bank unveiled a massive bond-buying program to help alleviate the euro zone's sovereign debt crisis.

US stocks have surged to new multi-year highs, helped by positive economic data and the European Central Bank's (ECB) new plan to help ailing eurozone countries in the bond market.