AAP

Payroll jobs continue to recover from the impact of the most recent COVID-19 lockdowns, rising in the second half of October.

Climate activists are continuing to block access to Woodside's Burrup Hub in Western Australia in a protest that has frustrated the company and the workers' union.

Energy shares provided spark and New Zealand raised rates, but there was little to make ASX investors move the market on Wednesday.

Travel provider Webjet has reduced its first-half losses as people resume travelling again in the pandemic.

Fortescue Metals shares surged almost 10 per cent as ASX investors bought iron ore miners on the prospect of stimulus for a slowing Chinese economy.

Australia's involvement in the controversial AUKUS security pact will be put under the spotlight by a parliamentary committee.

Investors sent the Australian share market lower to start the week following concerns more coronavirus lockdowns in Europe could damage global growth.

Labor wants to change employment laws to ensure casual workers taken on through labour-hire companies have the same entitlements as their permanent colleagues.

Western Australian bureaucrat Paul Whyte has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after stealing more than $27 million in public funds.

ASX investors have recovered some losses from the week as inflationary pressures stay top of mind in Australia and abroad.

US investment giant Blackstone has launched another bid to buy Crown Resorts.

Western Australia's "insufficient" new Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation reinforces the need for greater federal oversight, investors say.

Improving appetite for gold and mining shares in response to inflation and Chinese activity has helped the ASX close higher.

Commonwealth Bank shares plunged and the Australian market had its steepest loss for November for a second consecutive day.

Wages growth in Australia has returned to its pre-coronavirus pandemic level, but it is still way short of what the Reserve Bank wants to see.

A Reserve Bank warning to borrowers that low interest rates will not last has contributed to extended losses on the share market.

A spike in the unemployment rate and renewed worries over the inflation outlook have put a dent in consumer confidence.

Premier Mark McGowan is refusing to rule out the prospect of lockdowns before the state achieves 90 per cent double-dose vaccination.

Shares had modest improvement to start the week while Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe is preparing to allay investors' fear of inflation.

ABC chair Ita Buttrose has raised concerns that a parliamentary inquiry into the national broadcaster's complaints handling processes could be an attempt to undermine its independence and oust its board.

The Australian share market has snapped a four day losing streak after easing investor concerns about China's debt-laden property sector prompted a jump in local mining stocks.

Junior explorer Greenland Minerals says it may be able to salvage a planned rare earth minerals project despite the Greenland parliament voting to stop it.

Scott Morrison has warned of potential economic uncertainty for global markets in coming months in the wake of COVID-19.

Fortescue Metals shares had their biggest gain of the year but the Australian market slumped on concerns of how US authorities will respond to the biggest rise in inflation in 31 years.

WA’s jobless rate has fallen to a nine-year low but declining employment indicates workers are withdrawing from the labour force while outstanding vacancies remain unfilled.

The ambition of Australia's Greenland Minerals to develop one of the world's biggest rare earth minerals deposits is facing a hurdle.

Investors have continued to shy away from the ASX this week as some wonder whether rising inflation could finally be followed by wage increases.

Coles has opted not to follow Woolworths in requiring all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, instead relying on health orders in some states.

A booming NAB profit could not inspire investors to raise an Australian market which failed to follow the lead of its record high US peers.

Scott Morrison won't subsidise electric cars or implement emissions standards in his plan to get 1.7 million cleaner vehicles on roads this decade.

National Australia Bank has posted a nearly 80 per cent rise in full-year earnings thanks to gains in the home loans market and a steady performance at its business banking unit.

A string of mergers and acquisitions involving major players on the Australian market proved talking points at the start of the trading week.