AAP

Employment forecasts underpinning the government's November fiscal update are slipping out of reach.

Wine supplier Treasury Wine Estates wants to produce more luxury wines and boost its presence in the fast-growing Chinese market.

Former Labor government minister and assistant police commissioner Bob Kucera looks set to make a political comeback.

Treasury boss Martin Parkinson believes returning the federal budget to surplus is sensible, given the current state of the Australia economy.

Air Australia's demise has nothing to do with the carbon tax, Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten says.

The Australian share market has opened stronger, with investors bouyed by further signs the US economy is recovering and renewed hopes the Greek bailout deal will go ahead.

Industrial services company and takeover target Spotless has posted weaker first-half net profit of $16.5 million, down 5.2 per cent on the previous corresponding period.

The Australian dollar has risen almost one US cent on further signs the American economy is recovering and renewed hopes the Greek bailout deal will go ahead.

US stocks have surged to their highest close of the year.

The Australian dollar is almost one US cent lower amid uncertainty over a planned bailout package for Greece.

The Australian share market was dragged lower by renewed concerns that Greece is heading towards default and a weak lead from Wall Street while lower commodity prices weighed on mining stocks.

Three former directors of national whitegoods distributor Kleenmaid have been charged with defrauding a bank of $13 million.

The resources boom is unlikely to derail other industries in Australia, according to Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Philip Lowe.

Alcoa joint venture partner Alumina has rejected claims that the carbon tax is the main factor behind the stalled expansion of the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, saying th

Billabong shares have been placed in a trading halt amid reports it received a $A776 million takeover bid from US private equity giant TPG.

Almost a third of Australia's accounting and finance firms intend hiring new staff.

Stronger than expected jobs data has helped the Australian dollar to recover ground lost over concerns some European Union countries may be willing to let Greece default on its debt.

Westpac has painted a bleak outlook for the economy after posting a weaker than expected $1.5 billion quarterly profit.

Two consecutive rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia appear to have boosted employer confidence.

Wesfarmers has bucked the job shedding trend with plans to employ more people this year at Coles and its other retail chains, after underwhelming the market with a flat first half profit result.

The Australian stockmarket opened one per cent lower in line with weakness on US markets amid continued uncertainty in Greece.

Qantas will slash 500 jobs as part of a major revamp of the struggling airline after a massive fall in first-half profit.

The high value of the Australian dollar has boosted the spending power of households the past decade, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.

US stocks ended in the red Wednesday amid renewed concerns that Greece was veering toward default after a debt bailout hit fresh turbulence.

The Australian dollar rose three-quarters of a US cent following some good news that should alleviate the euro zone financial crisis.

Western Australia is about to learn if it has been recommended as the site for the world's most powerful telescope, known as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Shopping centre giant Westfield is upbeat about the future of retail sales in Australia despite overriding consumer caution and economic uncertainty abroad.

The Australian stock market closed slightly higher today, with financial sector stocks dragging it across the line in a late rally.

Mistakes were made but heads shouldn't roll over a prescribed burn that went wrong and destroyed 40 properties in the Margaret River region, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Means testing the private health insurance rebate will prompt many people to drop their private health cover and put more pressure on the public health system,  Premier Colin Barnett says.

Consumer confidence has risen following two interest rate cuts in late 2011, but remains well below its level a year ago, according to a private survey.