AAP

The Australian share market has shaken off fears of a slowdown in China to finish higher for a fifth day in a row, ahead of the Reserve Bank's expected hike in the cash rate on Tuesday.

One of the country's largest unions has called on employers to solve skill shortages by employing migrant workers, provided that Australians be trained to help fill similar roles.

Teachers, nurses, police officers, cleaners and public servants in Western Australia have been offered a revised pay deal but unions say it still amounts to a cut in real terms.

The Australian share market has closed up 0.8 per cent with every sector in the green except healthcare, making a strong finish to a good month of July.

Costs for Australian businesses rose 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to June 30, their biggest increase since December 2008.

As federal parliament wraps up its first sitting week since the May election, the opposition leader sees little change in approach under Labor.

During her first speech, a newly elected independent MP has urged parliament to be more collaborative and open to trying new approaches.

After signs the US might take a break from interest rate hikes, the ASX200 index closed at its highest level since the Queen's Birthday week sell-off.

Premier Mark McGowan has thrown his support behind his cabinet ministers as the government faces criticism on a number of fronts.

Inflation is expected to peak at 7.75 per cent at the end of this year, before moderating into 2023, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.

The Australian share market has rebounded from its morning losses to finish in the green after second-quarter inflation data came in slightly below expectations.

Annual inflation data for the June quarter is expected to come in at 6.2 per cent but there's some concern it could be closer to seven per cent.

Strong gains for the energy and mining sectors have helped the Australian share market edge higher ahead of key inflation data.

Anthony Albanese says he wants to see a more unified and functional parliament, as MPs and senators gather for its official opening in Canberra.

The local bourse has finished flat ahead of Australian inflation data and a pending hike in interest rates by the US Federal Reserve.

Crown says its Sydney casino at Barangaroo will open to the public in two weeks "with the highest levels of governance and compliance".

Australia's agriculture minister has criticised the opposition calling for borders with Indonesia to close, saying it is causing industry insecurity.

Tanya Plibersek has been forced to clarify the Albanese government's position on a controversial West Australian fertiliser plant.

The local share market treaded water on Friday but big gains on Monday and Wednesday mean its weekly performance is its best since mid-March.

The local share market has hit a six-week high, climbing 0.5 per cent to build on Wednesday's rally.

Australia will not slam shut its border to arrivals from Indonesia amid an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt says.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has reached an agreement for a 30-day halt to the development of a Burrup Peninsula fertiliser plant that Indigenous leaders claim could impact ancient rock art.

The Australian share market has rallied for a second time this week on the back of a strong lead from Wall Street, as several leading US corporations reported better-than-expected earnings.

Traditional owners in Western Australia have written to the Albanese government seeking to stop the progress of a contentious urea plant.

The local share market has closed down 0.56 per cent, although the big banks and coalminers again turned in a strong performance.

Two speeches in two days will give the Reserve Bank of Australia an opportunity to demonstrate how hawkish it is feeling as rate hikes loom.

The big banks, miners and coalminers all gained ground as the market digested ANZ's $4.9 billion purchase of Suncorp Bank.

The big-four lender has agreed to pay $4.9 billion for the banking operation as it seeks to shore up its Queensland business.

A drop in iron ore prices and two major US banks missing earnings estimates have taken their toll on the Australian share market.

The prime minister has defended the government's decision to end COVID-19 isolation payments, ahead of a snap national cabinet meeting over rising case numbers.

Australian shares have risen 0.4 per cent, with gains by iron ore miners, and coalminers outweighing losses for the big banks and property trusts.

An appeal by Christian Porter over the removal of his leading barrister in the now-settled defamation case against the ABC has been dismissed.