AAP

Federal politicians head to Sydney on Friday to quiz the nation's most influential banker, providing an opportunity to focus on the economy rather than who will win next week's Labor leadership bal

A Perth aviation business and its director have been accused of sacking a teenager after his mum queried his alleged pay of just over $5 an hour.

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings expects economic conditions in the Australian retail and industrial sectors to remain challenging.

Attorney-General Christian Porter has announced the appointment of Grant Donaldson as the state's new solicitor-general.

 Iluka Resources has pledged to use surplus funds for increased dividend payments and organic growth after delivering a record profit on the back of higher sales volumes and prices.

Kevin Rudd has declared Julia Gillard can't win the next election and laid out a policy platform for his Labor leadership comeback ahead of a caucus ballot on Monday.

Australian shares have opened slightly weaker after a quiet overnight session for international markets.

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in a month, as the US dollar strengthens and leadership tensions re-ignite in Australia.

Labor tears itself apart – The Fin; Collier takes swipe at industry – The West; Shopping centres to get bigger – The West; Key union urges end to strike ballots by workers – The Aus; Costs bite at Bullant – The West

US stocks have ended modestly in the red following disappointing eurozone data that added to signs of recession in the debt-racked region.

The Australian share market tracked sideways despite a lessening of risk for a debt default by Greece and solid earnings results domestically.

Mining services company Ausenco says its outlook remains positive after it returned to profitability driven by an uptrend across all its divisions.

Premier Colin Barnett has defended plans for a state future fund after Opposition Leader Mark McGowan labelled it a "stunt" and said state debt should be paid off first.

Western Australia's peak union body has lashed out at Premier Colin Barnett over comments he made that Sunday retail workers should not be paid such high hourly rates.

Ten Network Holdings has flagged a steep drop in earnings and revenue in the first half of its fiscal 2012 as the television broadcaster battles a tough advertising market.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says he will continue to press the federal government to include gold and other minerals in its proposed mining tax.

Beverages supplier Coca-Cola Amatil says markets in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are its strongest performers, and boosting investments there will be a high priority in 2012.

Anglers will have their possession limits halved under new proposals aimed at simplifying Western Australia's fishing regulations.

Transfield Services has more than doubled its first half profit and says it expects its full year profit will be between $130 million and $135 million.

Fast food chain Red Rooster has signed up to a national audit to ensure its franchise store workers are not being underpaid.

Wages rose faster than expected in the December quarter, but not fast enough to trouble Australia's reserve bank, economists say.

Job advertisements on the internet increased by 1.9 per cent in January compared to a month earlier, federal figures show.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed claims from Premier Colin Barnett that the Gonski review of school funding is a federal attempt to take over state-run schools.

Qantas Airways' low-cost offshoot Jetstar Pacific will be majority owned by Vietnam Airways under an ownership change confirmed in Hanoi late yesterday.

The Australian share market opened softer this morning as markets responded to news of Greece's latest bail-out package.

Seven West Media chief executive David Leckie says a 40 per cent share of the lucrative free-to-air metropolitan television advertising market is within reach.

The Australian dollar fell amid fears that Greece will need more financial help despite the approval of a second bailout package.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped 13,000 for the first time since May 2008 before falling back to close flat on Tuesday, in a bumpy day spurred by news of a long-awaited new bailout for Greec

A deal to give Greece more money to help rescue the Eurozone member from its massive debt could create the conditions for a further period of stable interest rates in Australia.

The biggest pink diamond ever found by mining giant Rio Tinto is being cut and polished in a painstaking 10-day process.

Fleetwood Corporation has posted a record first half profit thanks to a rising demand for miners' homes.

Premier Colin Barnett has slammed the federal government over the Gonski review of school funding, saying it's an attempt by the commonwealth to take over state-run schools.