AAP

Treasurer Christian Porter says a broken federal government promise to help fund native title compensation is "the lowest act".

 A dearth of customers and heavy discounting are expected to have kept Myer's sales in the doldrums.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy's mine in Malawi is back at full production following an industrial dispute sparked by demands for a 66 per cent pay rise from local workers.

Australian stocks have sunk to their lowest level this year as investors begin to panic over the crisis in Europe after reports of a run on Spanish banks.

Australian-made Holdens are to make a return to the streets and racetracks of North America with the production of a new Chevrolet SS performance sedan.

US stocks have closed with losses well above one per cent as negative news continued from Europe, with Greece's woes deepening and Spain falling into recession.

The Australian dollar is higher but still below parity, helped by comments that the US Federal Reserve is open to stimulate the American economy.

 Australia should be the world's biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas by the end of the decade, says the vice president of the world's biggest petroleum company.

The Australian share market closed slightly lower as Asian markets rallied and concerns about Greece's future in the euro zone eased temporarily.

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.