AAP

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept official interest rates on hold after its April board meeting but left the door open for a cut as early as next month.

Company directors are concerned that in the federal government's haste to return the budget to surplus it may risk damaging the economy.

The Commonwealth auditor-general has delivered a stinging critique of the federal government's handling of the Australia Network tender.

On-target retail trade figures reflect a sector experiencing structural change, economists say.

Andrew Forrest will underwite a $20 million capital raising to help fund development of Poseidon Nickel's Windarra project near Laverton.

The Australian market has opened stronger due to firm commodity prices and positive manufacturing data from the US.

Engineering company Monadelphous Group has secured construction and maintenance contracts in Western Australia and Queensland worth a combined $220 million.

Finance and accounting firms are finding it hard to recruit and retain staff, despite a slowdown in the broader labour market, a new survey has found.

US stocks have started the second quarter on a high note after US manufacturing data picked up more than expected, a sign of stronger growth in the feeble recovery.

Motorists could be in for some good news this long weekend with petrol prices stabilising and major supermarkets about to embark on a petrol price war, an economist says.

Qantas offshoot Jetstar could face hefty fines if allegations are proved that it hired trainee pilots from New Zealand on individual contracts but did not pay them superannuation and charged them f

The Australian dollar was slightly higher after markets digested better than expected Chinese manufacturing data and weak domestic building approval figures.

Labor will promote new overseas markets for chilled and processed meat from Western Australia, state Opposition Leader Mark McGowan says.

Australian retailers are becoming increasingly worried about wages growth and online competition eating into their profits.

The Australian share market could not hold onto early gains as disappointing local economic data overshadowed better-than-expected manufacturing figures from China.

Tens of thousands of Aboriginal rock art treasures in the Pilbara region will be researched, catalogued and promoted under an agreement between the University of Western Australia an

There is strong support for the federal government's plan to increase the compulsory superannuation guarantee, even among coalition voters, a new survey shows.

Aquila Resources says court action surrounding the sale of its stake in a Queensland coal project was a waste of time and money.

Debt-laden Bass Metals is in talks to sell assets as it strives to reduce liabilities.

The federal government must name the top 500 companies set to pay a price on carbon to dispel confusion among businesses and the public, the opposition says.

A new business survey points to the need for an immediate interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holds its monthly board meeting tomorrow, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and

Weakness in building approvals data continues to show a struggling sector, but should not unduly concern the central bank, economists say.

Australian stocks have opened almost one per cent higher, driven by major resources stocks after the release of encouraging manufacturing data from China.

Australian manufacturing activity contracted in March as demand weakened, a private survey shows.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will refrain from cutting interest rates at its April board meeting next week but after that could return to an easing position, economists say.

US stocks closed out their best quarter in years on Friday, with record point-gains in the period for the S&P 500 and the Dow blue-chips.

Austar shareholders have said yes to a proposed $2 billion takeover by pay TV rival Foxtel despite the competition watchdog having yet to give its approval.

The Australian share market finished the first quarter of 2012 around seven per cent higher, with the broad All Ordinaries index closing a few points off its eight-month high.

The Barnett government's handling of the $95 million redevelopment of Perth's soccer and rugby arena will be referred to the auditor-general to determine if taxpayers will get value for money,

A former business manager at Curtin University who abused her position to defraud the university of nearly $650,000 has been sentenced to four years' jail.

Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest will have a nervous wait until the High Court hands down a judgment next month on claims he misled investors.

It's time to put an end to "billionaire welfare" in Australia by slashing multi-billion dollar subsidies handed to the mining industry, GetUp says.