AAP

Shipbuilder Austal may pursue more work with the Royal Australian Navy under an expanded alliance with US-based General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS).

Australian dwelling commencements fell 6.9 per cent in the December quarter to 33,653 units, official figures show.

The creation of the nation's first Small Business Commissioner will give a voice to a vital sector in the Australia economy, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Consumer sentiment has fallen following the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decisions in February and March to keep the official interest rate on hold, a survey shows.

Engineering firm Ausenco has won a contract to help construct Base Metals' Kwale mineral sands project in Kenya.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent higher, following on from Wall Street's strong gains after positive US retail figures.

Fortescue Metals Group's latest bond sale appears to be a sign that debt markets are bouncing back.

US stocks took off Tuesday and the Dow zoomed past the 13,000 mark driven by soaring bank shares, sparked by JPMorgan Chase's announcement of a huge share buyback and dividend hike.

A sardine fisherman from Albany has described how a rare tropical whale shark surfaced near his boat in the Southern Ocean, surprising himself and local scientists.

The Australian dollar has risen from a six-week low, lifted by stronger regional equity markets and renewed trader interest.

Takeover target Flinders Mines has inked a native title agreement for its flagship Pilbara iron ore project.

Qantas Airways has called for regulators to take a close look at Virgin Australia's proposed ownership restructure.

Australian shares finished stronger as investors shrugged off a mixed US lead and lower prices for some commodities overnight.

Motorists should expect more pain at the pump in the coming days after the average wholesale price of petrol hit a three and a half year high.

A recent surge in carbon emissions across the globe was a one-off event as economies rebounded after the global financial crisis, Australian scientists say.

The Labor caucus has debated whether laws governing trusts are tough enough to stop them from being used for tax minimisation, as a high-profile case involving mining magnate Gina Rinehart continue

Independent MP Tony Windsor has called on National Party Senate leader Barnaby Joyce to explain his involvement in the legal battle between mining magnate Gina Rinehart and three of her children.

US President Barack Obama will announce a new trade suit against China prompted by Beijing's restrictions on the export of rare earth materials used in manufacturing hi-tech products.

Western Australia's corruption watchdog is investigating whether the state's police commissioner gave false evidence to an inquiry into the destructive Perth Hills bushfire.

Business confidence slumped in February even as conditions improved, a survey shows.

Finance Minister Penny Wong is standing by the federal government's proposed carbon price, despite a report showing it would strip $30 billion from the economy.

The Australian share market has opened half a per cent higher.

The federal government is refusing to commit itself to a promised tax cut for small business by July 1.

US stocks finished mixed Monday ahead of a Federal Reserve policy board meeting that analysts hope will provide a better picture of the US economy's direction.

Gina Rinehart told her children they faced financial ruin if they did not agree to her retaining full control of a multibillion-dollar family trust.

The Australian dollar is trading more than one US cent lower in response to weak Chinese trade figures released over the weekend.

The Australian sharemarket drifted to a marginally weaker close amid lower trading volumes because of a public holiday in Victoria.

Greens leader Bob Brown says the federal government is taking both his party and the parliament for granted over his support for the mining tax.

Paladin Energy can now start exploring its Canadian assets, after a three-year moratorium on uranium mining was lifted by indigenous landowners.

It's not only the mining boom that's creating jobs - there's also plenty of work to be had in the pizza sector.So says Australia's biggest pizza company, Domino's Pizza Enterprises.