AAP

The federal government says it remains confident Australia's bid to host the world's largest radiotelescope is "superior" to that of its main rival, South Africa.

Four of the nation's biggest and dirtiest power stations in Victoria's Latrobe Valley will receive the lion's share of $1 billion to help coal-fired generators cope with the carbon tax.

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.

Australian businesses are well-placed to take on wage increases with increases in compulsory superannuation contributions, ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence says.

Qantas Airways will raise ticket prices due to its growing fuel bill.

BHP Billiton's head of iron ore Ian Ashby will stand down in July after 25 years with the resources giant.

Australian stocks opened flat this morning, following a mixed lead from Wall Street.

Hardware chain Bunnings says its $1.5 billion expansion plan will create 6,000 jobs in the next three years.

US stocks have closed mixed on listless trade amid lacklustre new economic data a day ahead of the quarter's end.

The Australian share market has closed slightly down following weak leads from the United States.

Chinese demand is driving the resources boom, but Australian companies should consider operating in China itself, says the head of Swedish engineering giant Sandvik.

 The big four banks are capable of cutting interest rates on loans in April while protecting their profits thanks to lower funding costs.

Western Australians will soon be able to see the carbon tax component of their power and water bills.

Western Australian teachers have signed a new pay deal making them the highest paid in the nation.

The small rise in the number of job vacancies reported on Thursday is not enough to provide real hope that a solid pickup in jobs growth is under way.

Leighton shares have dropped by more than seven per cent after the construction company cut its full year profit forecast because of additional losses from its Brisbane Airport Link and Victorian d

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says rural and suburban regions across Australia will benefit economically as the national broadband network (NBN) rollout ramps up across the nation.

Australian stocks opened weaker as a poor lead from Wall Street and bad news from Leighton Holdings dragged the market lower.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has threatened to wield the axe at government programs in order to find extra budget savings.

Falling energy and commodity shares have pulled US markets lower amid growth concerns and talk of strategic oil stocks releases by Western powers.

About 50 Aboriginal rights activists have marched on Western Australia's parliament to demand a compensation deal equal to five per cent of the annual gross domestic product of the state'

The Australian dollar has drifted lower, as the market awaits more data to drive it.At 1700 AEDT, the local currency was trading at 104.35 US cents, down from 105.30 cents yesterday.

Resources giant Rio Tinto's decision to scrap plans for a $US2 billion ($A1.92 billion) aluminium smelter in Malaysia has been blamed in part on China over-supplying the market.

The Australian share market rallied to a near five-month high after the central bank said global market sentiment had improved since late December.

Banks are desperate to keep lending despite a record number of Australians being "under water" on their mortgages and the Reserve Bank of Australia's warning against chasing unrealistic profits.

Australia's gas fields should be harnessed for domestic consumption to keep the nation's manufacturing sector competitive, an adviser to the US President says.

Large numbers of short-term mining industry workers in the Pilbara region are causing havoc in some communities, leading to fights in overcrowded taverns, public urination and more rubbish on

Premier Colin Barnett has slammed the federal government over his state's share of GST revenues, saying Western Australia has "hit the bottom of the barrel" and must slash services becaus

Oklo Resources says the military coup in Mali is not expected to affect the gold explorer as it has been asked by the new administration to continue operations.

Premier Colin Barnett says he has no objection to more American nuclear submarine visits to Perth's Garden Island naval base if US-Australian defence co-operation is boosted.

Treasurer Wayne Swan won't reveal if the federal budget will include specific measures for the non-mining states, but says the government is committed to spreading Australia's mining wealth across

The global financial market environment is on a more stable footing and Australian banks are in a good position to address any future turmoil, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.