AAP

Those overseas holidays and bargain internet purchases may be about to get more expensive as the Australian dollar slides back towards parity with its US counterpart.

Shares in construction and maintenance firm Transfield Services plunged almost 12 per cent as analysts anticipate a writedown on its newly acquired Easternwell business.

The supposed link between interest rates set by Australia's central bank and the rates set by the commercial banks is a myth that needs to be busted, says the ANZ's head of Australian operations Ph

Bad weather and trouble with coal exports have caused a surprise second consecutive monthly trade deficit.

Australia should focus on becoming a high-wage, high-productivity country or risk falling further behind the rest of the world, Business Council of Australia president Tony Shepherd says.

Seven West Media, the owner of the Seven Network and West Australian Newspapers, has withdrawn from the Australian Press Council.

Western Australia may as well leave its minerals in the ground while its GST revenue continues to be stolen by Canberra and the eastern states, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Nine animal rights activists have been arrested after they chained themselves to a live-sheep export ship and gates at Fremantle Port for nearly seven hours.

The Australian share market has opened more than a third of a per cent lower.

Gold futures have fallen in after-market trading after the latest US Federal Open Market Committee minutes showed few hints of imminent monetary stimulus.

Signs that the Federal Reserve may be reticent to launch a fresh round of stimulus sent Wall Street lower Tuesday.

A writ has been lodged in the Western Australian Supreme Court on behalf of an organic farmer seeking damages for losses suffered after genetically modified canola contaminated his crops.

The Australian share market closed marginally firmer despite slipping in late trade after the central bank kept interest rates on hold.

Australia could be on the verge of another rental crisis, with Perth expected to be hit the hardest, Australia's largest property developer says.

Transfield Services shareholders are bracing themselves for a possible profit downgrade from the construction and maintenance company.

OneSteel is switching its name to Arrium in the hope the new tag better reflects its various mining businesses rather than its steel-making heritage.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept official interest rates on hold after its April board meeting but left the door open for a cut as early as next month.

Company directors are concerned that in the federal government's haste to return the budget to surplus it may risk damaging the economy.

The Commonwealth auditor-general has delivered a stinging critique of the federal government's handling of the Australia Network tender.

On-target retail trade figures reflect a sector experiencing structural change, economists say.

Andrew Forrest will underwite a $20 million capital raising to help fund development of Poseidon Nickel's Windarra project near Laverton.

The Australian market has opened stronger due to firm commodity prices and positive manufacturing data from the US.

Engineering company Monadelphous Group has secured construction and maintenance contracts in Western Australia and Queensland worth a combined $220 million.

Finance and accounting firms are finding it hard to recruit and retain staff, despite a slowdown in the broader labour market, a new survey has found.

US stocks have started the second quarter on a high note after US manufacturing data picked up more than expected, a sign of stronger growth in the feeble recovery.

Motorists could be in for some good news this long weekend with petrol prices stabilising and major supermarkets about to embark on a petrol price war, an economist says.

Qantas offshoot Jetstar could face hefty fines if allegations are proved that it hired trainee pilots from New Zealand on individual contracts but did not pay them superannuation and charged them f

The Australian dollar was slightly higher after markets digested better than expected Chinese manufacturing data and weak domestic building approval figures.

Labor will promote new overseas markets for chilled and processed meat from Western Australia, state Opposition Leader Mark McGowan says.

Australian retailers are becoming increasingly worried about wages growth and online competition eating into their profits.

The Australian share market could not hold onto early gains as disappointing local economic data overshadowed better-than-expected manufacturing figures from China.

Tens of thousands of Aboriginal rock art treasures in the Pilbara region will be researched, catalogued and promoted under an agreement between the University of Western Australia an