AAP

A minor gain has helped the ASX200 close above 7500 points, a little more than 100 points from a record high.

Peter Gutwein will resign as Tasmania's premier and quit the state's parliament citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

The March ANZ job advertisement series is likely to point to a further decline in the jobless rate and quicker than being predicted by the RBA and Treasury.

There were no red faces after tame ASX movement on April Fools' Day, although investors may be nervous about the Reserve Bank rates forecast next week.

Anthony Albanese has used his budget reply speech to pledge $2.56 billion to help the country's aged care sector, with the election just weeks away.

A Senate estimates hearing has heard higher global oil prices and supply-chain pressures are contributing to growing inflation.

Soaring commodity prices and the prospect of higher interest rates for banks have helped the Australian share market post its best month in the past 16.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says there were 423,500 job vacancies in February, around 200,000 more than was seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A seventh consecutive day of gains on the ASX has delighted investors and moved the market to just over 100 points from reaching its record high.

Telstra has announced the retirement of long-serving chief executive Andrew Penn, who will be replaced by chief financial officer Vicki Brady.

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has farewelled federal parliament after 14 years representing Western Australia.

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has farewelled federal parliament after 14 years representing Western Australia.

Technology shares and the ASX are back in vogue for investors and the market cruised to a sixth consecutive day of gains.

Repeated government promises to help households facing financial pressures have failed to lift confidence or tame inflation fears.

Australia's share market had a marginal gain as investors found bond yields increasingly attractive in a rising interest rate environment.

Tuesday night's federal budget is expected to include a cut to the fuel excise as well as assistance for more first home buyers.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level in more than two months, buoyed by gains in materials, energy and utility stocks amid soaring commodity prices.

Vulnerable and older Australians will soon be able to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Australian shares have kept their run higher going, while the prospect of more sanctions on Russia could dictate trading behaviour tomorrow.

A new survey has found employers are facing higher wage demands from candidates seeking employment.

A charmed run for the ASX has continued while one analyst is pondering whether bond investors wary of higher rates are about to end the run.

The National Skills Commission says job advertisements on the internet rose by a further 3.6 per cent in February.

Market heavyweight BHP jumped five per cent and the ASX rose for a fourth day in the past five as it thrives on demand for commodities.

Consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since September 2020, undermined by persistent concerns over the inflation outlook.

A bright start for the ASX gave way to minor losses, but investors will hope talk of peace in Ukraine produces another rallying week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his government is fully aware of the cost of living pressures Australians are facing and is promising a budget response.

Investors have enjoyed their best week on the Australian share market in more than 12 months, despite a US rate rise and war in Ukraine.

In a major speech two weeks out from the federal budget, Josh Frydenberg says the government will tackle the deficit while helping families with cost pressures.

There was no gloom on the ASX despite the US rate rise decision, and the Australian market closed higher for the third day this week.

The national unemployment rate is now lower than Western Australia's, with a rate of 4 per cent across the country slightly less than 4.1 per cent out west.

Australia's share market gained more than one per cent before an expected rate rise from the US Federal Reserve.

Plans to bring forward tax cuts for middle and high income earners to this year's 2022/23 federal budget could reportedly be shelved.