AAP

Nickel miner Western Areas says a recent rebound in nickel prices could boost its financial performance in the second half of the 2012 financial year.

US stocks closed higher on Monday after the Greek parliament's approval of tough austerity measures paved the way for a new financial rescue of the country.

The Australian dollar had a delayed reaction to Greece passing a batch of budget cuts and public sector reforms to help it avoid bankruptcy.

The Australian share market closed strongly, with investors delighted after the Greek parliament voted for an austerity package needed to obtain bailout funds.

ACP magazines and Seven West Media have refused to comment on speculation that the owners of Nine Entertainment Co were looking to offload the magazine publisher in a bid to reduce debt.

Home entertainment retailer JB Hi-Fi expects sales to increase in 2012 as shoppers recover from a bout of post-Christmas fatigue.

 Environmental services firm Cardno has won a $22 million contract to help provide major infrastructure upgrades at several Rio Tinto iron ore mines in Western Australia.

A motorists' lobby group says the competition and consumer watchdog has the power to crack down on petrol price gouging by supermarkets and other fuel retailers.

Bank workers could walk off the job in protest at ANZ Banking Group's plans to axe 1,000 positions in 2012.

Expectations of a strengthening housing sector have been helped by new figures showing a rise in the value of new home loan commitments to a two-year high, economists say.

Murchison Metals shareholders have backed the sale of key assets to the company's equal joint venture partner, Japan's Mitsubishi, clearing the way for the $325 million deal to proceed.

Qantas has rejected suggestions it plans to send jobs offshore after federal Workplace Relations minister Bill Shorten said the airline couldn't afford to lose skilled workers.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says events in Greece are a reminder that the road to sustainable finances can be a painful one.

Australia's number two telco Optus says it has posted a resilient third-quarter result where net profit rose four per cent and operating revenue increased two per cent.

 The Australian share market opened higher this morning after the Greek parliament agreed to an austerity package needed to obtain bailout funds for the debt-laden country.

Leighton Holdings says its first-half profits have jumped 57 per cent and that it's well-positioned for 2012.

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in almost two weeks as the Greek parliament debates legislation that would enable the euro-zone nation to avoid a default on its debt.

A five-week streak of gains on US markets ended on Friday after revived worries that Greece will default on its huge mountain of debt sent stocks falling.

 The central bank's decision to lower its forecasts for inflation and growth shows the nation's economy is rock solid despite headwinds from Europe, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

The euro zone debt crisis is deterring some investors from funding small companies in the gold sector, says gold project developer Aphrodite Gold.

The Australian dollar has fallen one US cent after the central bank lowered its inflation forecast and Greece's moves to avoid a default on its debt suffered another setback.

The Australian share market closed lower as investors pondered possible weakening in the resources sector, a hold on interest rates this week, a soaring Aussie dollar and Greece's debt crisis.

The federal government expects to raise about $3 billion from the renewal of spectrum licences for mobile phone and wireless broadband services held by Australia's three main telecommunications gro

Former Perth fertiliser tycoon Pankaj Oswal is facing a contempt of court charge for allegedly releasing confidential information to the press about the receivers appointed to Burrup Fertilisers.

James Hardie will receive more than $300 million after winning a legal dispute with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

The Australian Football League has filed a notice of appeal in the Federal Court after losing a court battle to prevent Optus offering its TV Now service.

ANZ Banking Group has raised its variable interest rates for retail mortgages and small business loans by 0.06 per cent.

The federal opposition is demanding Treasurer Wayne Swan explain a potential $4 billion black hole in its mining tax that is due to start in July.

Banks clawed back margins on home loans in late 2011 with average interest rates on new variable mortgages declining by less than the overnight cash rate, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says.

Australia's top diplomat has expressed frustration with the slow progress of free trade talks with China, suggesting there is unlikely to be a deal for many years to come.

Julia Gillard likes to talk about the patchwork economy, but it's the patchwork electorate that is Labor's biggest worry.