AAP

Global miner BHP Billiton is continuing to slash costs in a subdued environment as it meets with workers in Perth this week about likely job cuts.

Striking Fremantle Port workers seeking roster changes to give them six days off after four days' work are being "frivolous" and should stop holding the state to ransom, Transport Minister Troy Bus

The Australian Securities Exchange has fixed a technical glitch and has resumed publishing company news.

Premier Colin Barnett says he has a hard time liking Treasurer Wayne Swan, labelling him "a very nasty politician".

Flight Centre staff were told to stop selling Singapore Airlines flights after the carrier refused a request to engage in price fixing, a court has heard.

Removing or reducing penalty rates for fast food, retail and hospitality workers would hurt families, the Australian Council of Trade Unions says.

The mining boom has helped cut unemployment in regions well away from Queensland's coal mines or Western Australia's iron ore deposits, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.

Oil and gas giant Total has signed five licensing agreements with Oil Search to operate for the first time in Papua New Guinea.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has hailed Australia's new standing as the world's 12th largest economy as a remarkable achievement.

The International Monetary Fund has made across-the-board cuts to its world economic growth forecasts, saying "uncertainty weighs heavily on the outlook".

Australia's experience in dealing with its challenging farming environment means it's well placed to lead improvements in global food security, Foreign Minister Bob Carr says.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the time has come for Australia and Japan to "seal the deal" on a free-trade agreement that has been more than five years in the making.

US stocks have followed European and Asian markets lower, giving up some of last week's solid gains ahead of the third quarter earnings reporting season.

The federal government has thrown its support behind Qantas Airways' proposed 10-year alliance with Dubai-based Emirates.

The Australian share market has closed lower in cautious trading ahead of several meetings in Europe this week aimed at easing Europe's debt crisis.

The Queensland government will sell a $1.5 billion stake in QR National, saying it has got taxpayers' interests at heart.

Police Minister Liza Harvey insists that the state government is on track to boost force numbers, despite deep budget cuts and a public service staff freeze.

Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says a high Aussie dollar is not all bad news for Australian business.

Almost 60 victims of the 2011 Margaret River bushfire have joined a class action against Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation.

The federal opposition supports the government's bid to boost diplomatic ties with China but has questioned whether it was wise for Foreign Minister Bob Carr to make it public.

Aquila Resources is considering outsourcing infrastructure and services facilities at its planned West Pilbara Iron Ore project after revealing capital costs for the development have blown out to $

Telstra Corporation has avoided a fine for breaching privacy rules in 2011.

No-one was injured when a small earthquake caused a rock fall at one of BHP Billiton's underground nickel mines in the Goldfields.

A 2009 investigation by accounting firm KPMG into note-maker Securency discovered material that indicated an employee had raised concerns over possible corrupt payments two years earlier, a parliam

In another sign Australia's employment market is weakening, job ads fell for the sixth straight month in September.

Agribusiness Elders has launched what it says is the first Australian online rural supplies business.

The Australian share market has opened flat following a lacklustre lead from the US on Friday despite employment figures coming in better than expected.

Federal coalition MPs could reach a compromise deal on wheat deregulation that would allow for a state-based regulatory regime, a Western Australian Liberal senator says.

Negativity about the Australian economy has pushed the Australian dollar to a three-month low, despite the release of better than expected US jobs data.

US stocks sustained their push upward on Friday, capping the week with the Dow hitting its best level since December 10, 2007, as high liquidity and ultra-low interest rates fuel an appetite for ri

Woolworths is spinning off its $1.4 billion shopping centres portfolio in a move that is expected to free up cash to help fight its price war with rival Coles.