AAP

The Reserve Bank of Australia appears to be losing its faith that the commodity price boom will push the economy into overdrive.

Lachlan Murdoch has been appointed chairman of the Ten Network.

The Australian share market has opened slightly stronger despite a slump in net profits by mining giant Rio Tinto.

Newcrest Mining has forecast a continuing strength in the gold price after reporting a record high first half profit, driven by stronger gold, silver and copper sales.

The US stock market finally got a deal in Greece, but it didn't produce much of a rally.

Thousands of miners from several of BHP Billiton's central Queensland coal mines are planning a seven-day strike from next week.

The Australian dollar was marginally lower after economic data showed Chinese inflation at its highest level in three months.

Rio Tinto has booked a 59 per cent slump in full year net profit due mainly to a writedown of its aluminium business, but underlying earnings jumped eleven per cent.

The Australian share market closed slightly lower as investors mulled over mixed earnings results, the ongoing Greek debt crisis and whether or not China would cut its interest rates.

Western Australia's ailing utility Western Power will look globally for a new managing director following the retirement of its boss.

Telstra Corporation signed up more than a million new customers in the first half of its financial year, giving a hefty lift to its profit.

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.

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.

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.

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.