AAP

The Australian share market closed slightly weaker as investors prepared for crucial inflation data that could pave the way for another interest rate cut.

Motorists should see petrol prices fall by up to four cents a litre in the next fortnight following recent falls in regional oil prices.

Hong Kong-listed Wah Nam International has extended its takeover offer for iron ore explorer Brockman Resources as it seeks to take control of all remaining shares.

The federal government could be in for a tougher-than-expected battle to have parliament approve controversial budget measures.

A fall in producer prices in the first three months of 2012 suggests inflation remains weak and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will have room to cut interest rates in May, economists say.

Key independent MP Tony Windsor says he is unlikely to support a rumoured change to the diesel fuel rebate in the May budget.

Industrial services company Spotless remains in talks with its private equity suitor, with a deal still not guaranteed.

The Australian share market opened slightly lower, despite gains on Wall Street and positive leads from European markets.

So strongly is Western Australia performing, the national economy is now being viewed in terms of Australia as a whole and Australia excluding WA.

International Monetary Fund members have vowed to secure global financial stability to allow urgently needed reforms and regain worldwide economic growth.

The Australian dollar has fallen after local trade figures showed the nation's terms of trade weakened in the first three months of the year.

The chances of official interest rate cut next month have improved with figures showing imported consumer goods have fallen to the cheapest level in two decades.

The Australian share market closed marginally higher despite earnings downgrades and a fall in some commodity prices.

Shares in industrial equipment maker Bradken plummeted after it cut its profit guidance due to increased costs and lower sales at its rail division.

The state government knew nothing about the death of a competitor in an adventure race in China before sponsoring a similar event in the Kimberley in which two women almost burned to death.

The federal government has accused Premier Colin Barnett of a cash grab over his refusal to quarantine a pension increase from public housing rent assessments.

Australian tourism chiefs will aim at a vast untapped market in China's hinterland for the next wave of visitors from the regional powerhouse.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the federal government's decision to create the national broadband network was taken to ensure Australia's telecommunications system was "future-proofed"

Foreign trade price figures suggest the terms of trade, a key indicator for the Australian economy, have fallen further.

Woolworths says higher third quarter sales volumes were offset by lower prices, leaving shoppers as the big winners as the supermarket seeks to woo more customers than arch rival Coles.

Gina Rinehart has lost a bid to have her children's multibillion-dollar family trust claim dealt with through confidential mediation and not in open court.

Building materials producer Boral has cut its full year profit guidance by $22 million due to the impact of heavy rain and weak housing activity on its operations.

Leighton Holdings subsidiary Thiess will undertake site preparation work at the Chevron-operated Wheatstone gas project in WA after winning a $450 million contract.

 Internet service provider iiNet has welcomed a High Court decision to dismiss an appeal by the world's largest film and television companies, saying it proves it never supported unauthorised

The Australian share market opened flat after falls on Wall Street and European markets.

Retail spending rose for the eighth straight month in March as consumers overcame a lack of confidence in the economy and spent more of their money on services such as entertainment.

US stock markets were modestly lower Thursday, with US unemployment data and a successful Spanish debt sale giving little direction to trade.

The Australian share market has closed at a fresh eight-month high, buoyed by resource stocks and investors punting on China undertaking new moves to boost its economy.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower in quiet trade as investors sit on the sidelines awaiting the outcome of a Spanish government bond auction.

Land developer Stockland will cut executive bonuses after a review of its remuneration policies.

Commonwealth Bank boss Ian Narev has set out his vision for Australia's largest bank, but refused to put performance targets on his key aims.

Personal fraud is on the rise in Australia, with a whopping 1.2 million people falling victim in 2010-2011.