AAP

The Australian share market managed to claw back most of its early losses to close flat after negative offshore leads and lower commodity prices overnight.

Former Reserve Bank of Australia board member Solomon Lew has called for an immediate, hefty official interest rate cut while accusing the central bank of being out of touch.

Creditors of Air Australia are likely to lose everything after the sale of the airline's main asset fell through.

Leighton Holdings says it's been in negotiations with Fortescue Metals Group for a $3.6 billion mining contract in the Pilbara.

Treasurer Wayne Swan believes a growing number of people agree with the sentiments in his recent essay that attacked "vested interest" and in particular three billionaire mining magnates.

Western Australia's work safety watchdog has lost its appeal against the dismissal of charges accusing Fortescue Metals Group of failing to provide a safe workplace at a Pilbara rail camp during Cy

Engineering giant WorleyParsons has won a contract to build a copper and molybdenum processing plant in Mongolia.

Premier Investments, the owner of retail brands such as Just Jeans and Portmans, has suffered a 2.4 per cent fall in first half profit due to the tough retail environment.

Rail operator QR National has cuts its forecasts for full year earnings due to ongoing industrial action, weaker demand for coal transport and wet weather.

The Australian market has opened weaker with investors abandoning risk averse mining stocks.

The federal opposition has vowed to repeal government legislation that imposes tougher rules on financial planners.

US stock markets have fallen, as poor economic news from Europe and China overshadows more positive data about the domestic US jobs market.

Auzex Resources shareholders have approved the gold explorer's merger with equal joint-venture partner GGG Resources to create Bullabulling Gold.

Coalition MPs have been trading mining and infrastructure shares as they rail against the impact of the minerals resource rent tax on the future of the industry.

The Australian dollar fell to a two-month low against its US counterpart following the release of weaker than expected Chinese manufacturing data.

Struggling steelmaker Bluescope has restructured its operations by creating two new businesses, building products and global building solutions. 

Shares in Atlantic Ltd jumped after the vanadium and iron ore miner ditched a share purchase plan (SPP) that was poorly received by the market.

NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley says the government-funded company charged with building the national broadband network (NBN) is on track to release its three-year rollout plan soon.

The Australian share market shrugged off negative offshore leads to finish higher, driven by strong performances among financial stocks.

Foxtel boss Richard Freudenstein is talking up the economic benefits of the pay tv provider's planned takeover of Austar as the competition watchdog mulls over the deal.

Australia's central bank has signed an agreement with its counterpart in China allowing for up to $30 billion to be exchanged between the two banks.

Premier Colin Barnett has denied he is "obsessed" with industrialising the Kimberley, following a new move by his government to compulsorily acquire land for a $30 billion gas hub there.

Perth's Aboriginal tent embassy protest has become "violent and divisive" and will be dismantled by force, Premier Colin Barnett has warned.

Shares in Africa-focused Kaboko Mining have risen after the manganese mine developer inked a sales deal with Chinese steel maker Sinosteel.

The federal government has vowed that all the money originally allocated for the solar hot water rebate program will be spent to support the industry.

A $275 million government investment in Holden's vehicle making operations in Australia has been officially announced.

The federal coalition says Labor is going to cut the diesel fuel rebate for miners in the May budget as part of a "cash grab" aimed at protecting the government's surplus.

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten insists a lift in the superannuation guarantee is not a tax on employers.

The Australian share market has opened fairly flat following negative leads from international markets.

Australia’s largest brick and tile maker, Brickworks, says a 54 per cent fall in first half profit can be attributed to declines at its Western Australian and Queensland Austral Bricks divisions.

US stocks have closed mostly lower after a mixed report on existing-home sales showed a rocky but improving recovery in the depressed housing market.