AAP

The mass debt downgrade of eurozone nations has reignited a debate over boosting the bloc's bailout fund, but governments are divided over raising their contributions, a senior EU official says.

 Australian shares have closed slightly higher after strong bond auctions in Europe helped boost appetite for shares.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten says states should not expect payments from the Commonwealth if they walk away from deals on national reforms.

The federal government says Australia's strong ranking on a global economic index shows the nation is punching above its weight.

Workers in Australia's big banks are being warned to prepare for the worst after ANZ confirmed it will slash hundreds of jobs over the next six months.

Australian shares rose after strong bond auctions in Europe and a positive session on Wall Street helped to bolster market sentiment.

A drop in oil prices and strong bond auctions in Europe drove stocks to a slightly higher close Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose for the fourth straight day.

The Australian dollar rose after the European Central Bank (ECB) said its measures to stem the eurozone's debt crisis were proving effective.

 The Australian dollar rose slightly on a day of tight trading ahead of a key meeting of European Central Bank (ECB) leaders.

 The Australian dollar rose slightly on a day of tight trading ahead of a key meeting of European Central Bank (ECB) leaders.

 The Australian dollar rose slightly on a day of tight trading ahead of a key meeting of European Central Bank (ECB) leaders.

The Australian dollar rose slightly on a day of tight trading ahead of a key meeting of European Central Bank (ECB) leaders.

Australian shares finished slightly lower after a surprise profit warning from QBE Insurance and disappointing data from China weighed on prices.

The worst of Tropical Cyclone Heidi is over for many communities in Western Australia's Pilbara region, as it begins to lose strength and move inland.

Leaders from foreign companies expected to build a giant gas project in Darwin are converging on the city amid speculation they are poised to seal the deal.

Outflows of Australian travellers continued to outweigh inflows of foreign visitors by a wide margin in November.

Police have arrested nine anti-coal seam gas protesters at a blockade on a southern Queensland property.

 A record year for natural disasters has caused insurance giant QBE to issue the year's first major profit downgrade, sending its shares to a near eight-year low.

The Australian share market has opened higher, following Wall Street's overnight lead.

One of 2011's best stockmarket performers, Iluka Resources, has posted a 53 per cent jump in sales revenues in the December quarter, capping a year of strong growth in production and sales.

US stocks closed mixed on Wednesday in markets that barely budged a day after a burst of buying on the promising first results of the corporate earnings season.

Australian shares posted their second straight day of gains after a rise on offshore markets sparked hopes for a pick-up in the world economy.

A fall in job vacancies in the latter months of 2011 is a warning that the unemployment rate is likely to edge up in the months ahead.

Australian shares have risen to a month high as an upbeat start to the US earnings season and hopes of further monetary easing in China sparked a rally in global stocks.

US stocks posted moderate gains Tuesday, lifted by a positive start to the corporate earnings season and Chinese trade data that spurred speculation that Beijing would loosen monetary policy.

US stocks posted moderate gains Tuesday, lifted by a positive start to the corporate earnings season and Chinese trade data that spurred speculation that Beijing would loosen monetary policy.

Vow to limit contractors’ rights – The Aus; Ichthys hooks Taiwan LNG contract – The Fin; Sage, Middlemas in windfall – The West; Migrants claim bulk of the jobs – The Aus; Labor’s Holden jobs rescue – The Fin

The Queensland government has ordered an immediate suspension of some dredging in Gladstone Harbour, which is being deepened to support planned gas exports.

Australian shares added 1.1 per cent after positive Chinese trade data boosted markets already buoyed by positive US earnings and hopes for a pick up in local buyout deals. 

 Tree planter Carbon Conscious Ltd expects its net profit in the 2011/12 financial year to rise 309 per cent to $3.5 million.