AAP

The head of mining products company Boart Longyear has disputed claims by BHP Billiton that commodity price falls and global economic uncertainty are causing miners to scale back.

Opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull says the government's "prejudice" against the private sector left about 35,000 new homes connected to copper instead of fibre cable last year.

The ACTU congress has condemned BHP Billiton's safety record after company chairman Jac Nasser slammed Australian labour laws for being too restrictive.

Treasurer Wayne Swan does not perceive a need to update budget forecasts because of recent events in Europe, saying Treasury has already accounted for a bleak outlook.

The building of mines and related infrastructure will continue to underpin the non-home construction sector for the next two years, a survey says. But as the sector surges, skilled workers wil

Greece's exit from the euro zone would not have the same impact on the world as the events that led to the global financial crisis (GFC), the head of Commonwealth Bank says.

 BHP Billiton is turning its back on a silver, lead and zinc joint venture project in north Queensland amid doubts over its potential.

Small businesses have emerged winners in Western Australia's budget to be handed down later today, with the government unveiling a $128 million payroll tax rebate.

Australian stocks have opened higher, with gains among the big miners helping defy a weak lead from offshore markets.

A public sector union will be checking the West Australian government's 2012/13 budget for signs that services may be compromised because of a planned cutback to government agencies.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) shares have dropped despite posting a profit of $1.7 billion for the three months to March.

The Australian dollar has moved back above 99 US cents following the release of positive American housing data.

US stocks gave up early gains on positive US economic data to sink lower Wednesday as worries over Greece's future in the euro zone hit investor sentiment.

Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is confident the international carbon market will stabilise in coming years.

 Joe Hockey's swipe at the federal government plan to increase its debt ceiling is an irresponsible scare campaign, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Australian stocks have plunged to two-month lows led by the resources sector, with Greece's problems keeping investor confidence at depressing lows.

Environmentalists are angry and commercial fishermen fearful after the federal government revealed plans for expanding oil and gas exploration in Australian waters.

The Australian Boomers will face off against world No.10 China in a three-match basketball series in Western Australia in June as the two countries gear up for the London Olympics.

The ACTU plans to campaign for new laws to give casual workers more protection in job security.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says the government's contribution to the Great Eastern Highway upgrade in Western Australia is concrete proof it is spending enough on infrastructure in

Total loan approvals were up 5.2 per cent in March, official figures show.

Consumer confidence has posted a modest rise after the central bank provided a large cut to the cash rate on May 1.

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings has warned of lower earnings in 2012 as weakness in the retail sector impacts on its business.

Engineering company Monadelphous Group says it has been awarded two new Pilbara construction contracts worth about $150 million.

Australian stocks have opened more than one per cent lower amid broad based declines as local market players took their cues from a poor night on Wall Street and ongoing troubles in Europe.

Household compensation to cushion the impact of the carbon price will start flowing to Australian families today.

US stocks have sunk as speculation about Greece's potential exit from the eurozone continues after the country's political parties failed to forge a government.

The Australian dollar rose back slightly above parity with the US dollar after a boost in late afternoon trade on official data showing Germany avoided a recession.

The state government will introduce legislation tomorrow allowing Bankwest to operate under the same license as its parent company.

Industry veteran Richard Cottee has taken up the reins as chief executive at conflict-ridden Central Petroleum, saying it's the company's massive exploration acreage that appeals to him.

Australian stocks fell to a weaker close, dragged down by heavy losses among the resource stocks.

The cost of a police operation to protect the interests of Woodside Petroleum against anti-gas hub protesters near Broome is expected to exceed six figures.