AAP

Wall Street stocks have ended mixed as traders rapidly digested the victory of pro-euro parties in Greece's election and focus on the next hurdle in Europe's marathon economic crisis.

The Australian sharemarket has gained almost two per cent as relieved investors bought mining stocks after the election result in Greece.

The competition watchdog has told the business community it should not rush to raise consumer prices before it can evaluate the impact of the carbon tax on costs.

Four-wheel drives are supposed to be good at climbing - and they're doing just that, hitting a record high as a share of total vehicles sold in May.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has increased her stake in Fairfax Media to 18.67 per cent with a recent purchase of more than 143 million shares.

The red-dust iron ore export town of Port Hedland may not be everyone's idea of a scenic stop-over, but it is becoming increasingly popular with cruise ships, according to its port authority.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has restated the federal government's commitment to the free trade of energy resources.

Two-thirds of voters believe the government is worse under Prime Minister Julia Gillard's leadership than it was two years ago under her predecessor Kevin Rudd.

Finance minister Penny Wong says the outcome of a crucial election in Greece over the weekend will inspire stability in the eurozone.

Shares in rare earths miner Lynas have soared after an appeal against the operating licence for its controversial new plant in Malaysia was dismissed.

Australian shares opened almost 1.5 per cent higher after Greece elected the pro-bailout New Democracy party to power.

The outcome of the elections in Greece shows that Greeks are in favour of the deep economic and fiscal reforms required to pull the country out of crisis, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble

The Australian dollar is one US cent higher as pro-bailout parties look set to win the Greek elections.

The Australian dollar has positioned itself above parity with its US counterpart, just over a week after it slumped to a 2012-low of 97 cents.

Malaysia has imposed two new conditions on Australian miner Lynas before it can start operating a new rare earth refinery.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher, but trading volumes were low as investors remained cautious ahead of the weekend elections in Greece.

You can lead a horse to water, as the saying goes, but you can't make it drink.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan looks poised to renew his contract after the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) cleared him of misconduct in relation to the Perth Hills bushfire last year.

The proponents of a huge central Queensland mine have been told they must do more to assess its impacts on animal species and the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia is boosting its trade ties with resource-rich West Africa.

Australian shares opened slightly higher following gains on Wall Street amid speculation of more stimulus from the US Federal Reserve.

The Australian dollar has moved above parity on speculation the US central bank could bring in quantitative easing to boost growth.

US stocks pushed higher Thursday amid speculation of more stimulus from the Federal Reserve after another batch of poor data releases.

The Australian dollar is virtually unchanged as cautious traders sit on the sidelines ahead of Sunday's Greek elections.

Buru Energy today launched a $50 million share placement, fully underwritten by international investment house J.P. Morgan.

More than $25 million in Fairfax shares have been bought in one transaction, fuelling speculation mining magnate Gina Rinehart is increasing her stake in the media company.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer is yet to officially throw his hat into the ring to take on federal Treasurer Wayne Swan at the next election.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it is understandable that confidence among Australians has been unsettled after living through the biggest global economic downturn since the Great Depression.

A tax expert believes that business has the right to be a little sceptical about the federal government's pledge of a company tax cut when the issue appeared dead just a few weeks ago when the budg

Several suppliers to Coles and Woolworths have raised concerns of bullying by the supermarket giants.

The numbers tell it all - mining employed an extra 58,100 people over the past year while construction cut back by 58,600.

The Australian share market has closed lower as nervous investors look ahead to Sunday's Greek elections.