AAP

Qantas will inspect its fleet of Airbus A380s for cracks on its wings following a European directive, but the engineers' union says it should have happened months ago.

Gold explorer Westgold Resources has moved to secure up to $80 million in debt funding to help pay for development of its Central Murchison project in Western Australia.

The Australian Greens have again urged federal Labor to increase its proposed mining tax, to better protect industries struggling under the weight of the high Australian dollar.

Australian Workers' Union boss Paul Howes says the Reserve Bank of Australia has signed a "death warrant" for manufacturing by putting its cash rate on hold.

Telstra Corporation shares have fallen after the nation's largest telco reported a lower-than-expected first-half net profit.

Leighton Holdings subsidiary Thiess has won a $180 million contract for work at BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) Caval Ridge coal mine in Queensland.

The Australian share market has opened weaker with the stocks of major companies BHP Billiton and Telstra weighing on sentiment after weaker-than-expected profit results.

Property group Stockland's first-half net profit has fallen by 28 per cent due to tough economic conditions, but the company expects a better performance in the remainder of the financial year.

The Australian dollar has fallen back as traders remain concerned that a resolution for the Greece's debt woes will eventuate.

Stocks staged an afternoon-long rally and closed higher on Wednesday as Greece appeared to close in on the cost-cutting deal it needs to keep from defaulting on its national debt.

The Australian dollar pushed past the 108 US cent mark as markets continue to react positively to the central bank's unexpected decision to hold interest rates steady.

 Jetstar is hoping to steal a march on its low-cost rival AirAsia by bringing forward the launch date of its new Japanese airline.

Property developer Australand believes it can improve earnings despite suffering a 15 per cent drop in annual profit.

The Australian share market has closed higher as a positive day for energy stocks offset weakness among Australia's retail banks and mining giant BHP Billiton.

BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers has blamed complex Labor workplace laws for creating the conditions for current strike action at the company's coal operations.

Electricity prices in Western Australia will jump another five per cent next year, and power producer Verve and retailer Synergy will be merged, according to Premier Colin Barnett.

Security officers have escorted  Premier Colin Barnett past shouting Aboriginal protesters from a venue in Kings Park after he outlined a native title settlement deal to Noongar people.

Australia's sole antimony mine is to be revived under plans by Emu Nickel, which needs to raise $60 million to buy the asset and re-start production.

The federal government will consider whether there needs to be changes to copyright laws after being lobbied by Australia's sporting codes over broadcasting rights.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Labor will bring the federal budget back into surplus in 2012/13 but the opposition cannot make that commitment.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has brushed off concerns borrowers could be hit with higher bank interest rates, saying home owners and businesses could take their business elsewhere.

 US firm Space Systems/Loral has won the $620 million contract for two satellites to provide high-speed broadband to areas in remote Australia.

The Australian share market has opened firmer as traders await a busy day tomorrow for local earnings reports.

Rio Tinto has again demonstrated its faith in Asia's growing demand for iron ore by committing $US3.4 billion ($A3.2 billion) to expand its operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

BHP Billiton's first-half profit has fallen by 5.5 per cent to $US9.941 billion ($A9.3 billion), due to lower commodity prices and some production constraints.

Swiss mining giant Xstrata has booked a 12 per cent jump in attributable profit for calendar 2011 to a record $US5.78 billion ($5.41 billion) due to increased production volumes, cost savings and h

The Australian dollar rose to a fresh six-month high and is set for more gains after the central bank surprised the markets by keeping interest rates on hold.

Macquarie Group plans to cut 10 per cent of its investment banking jobs and fears its full year profit will plunge as difficult trading conditions take their toll.

Australian shares closed weaker after the central bank unexpectedly kept interest rates on hold and the National Australia Bank and Macquarie Group posted results that disappointed the market.

Australia's tourism figures continue to make for bleak reading, with nearly 10,000 fewer international visitors arriving here in 2011, and the number of Aussies taking overseas holidays soaring to

 National Australia Bank is on track for another record cash profit, but the bank says higher funding costs have begun to hit its revenue.

Local crop protection chemical firms have welcomed an investigation by a federal government body into the importation from China of large amounts of a herbicide used in weed control.