AAP

A lower than expected rise in producer prices is expected to set the tone for the release of key inflation figures later this week.

 Record production in the December quarter has helped Mirabela Nickel meet its 2011 targets, and the company expects higher production in 2012.

Western Australia continues to lead the nation's economic growth and is set to maintain its course for most of this year, a new report says.

Australian shares opened slightly weaker as cautious investors looked for news on the Greek debt situation following weak overseas leads.

The Australian dollar rose to its highest level in 12 weeks amid hopes Greece will reach a deal with its creditors to avoid a disastrous default on its debt.

European shares notched up a fifth straight week of gains last week, as the outlook for the global economy improved and on optimism Greece would avoid a messy default.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith says he is not concerned that incoming Western Australian Labor leader Mark McGowan could battle the federal government on infrastructure funding from the mining tax.

The Australian dollar rose more than a quarter of a cent during a quiet day of trading following a boost on news of successful European bond auctions.

Default superannuation funds included in workplace awards could be subject to new criteria decided by the Productivity Commission.

Australian shares ended the day on a strong note for their third successive week of gains.

Economists believe the rate of inflation in Australia is continuing to slow although it maybe the cooling world economy that will play a greater role in cutting interest rates.

WorleyParsons and its 50/50 joint venture partner in Indonesia have been awarded a $US180 million contract by oil and gas giant Chevron.

Billionaire iron-ore heiress Gina Rinehart has no right to suppress the details of her family trust battle, the NSW Court of Appeal has found.

Junior iron ore producer BC Iron is hunting for acquisitions and has achieved positive quarterly cashflow for the first time after beating its production guidance.

The head of Wesfarmers' insurance arm has defended the local industry in the face of premium rises of as much as 15 per cent for home insurance.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the government is "determined" to return the federal budget to surplus, despite a soft jobs market and reduced expectations for global growth.

African Iron's board recommends its shareholders accept Exxaro's takeover offer.

Australian shares have added one per cent in early trading as successful debt auctions in Europe and more positive bank earnings in the US buoy optimism.

The Australian dollar is firmer as concerns about Europe's debt crisis eased overnight.

It was another day of quiet but solid gains on Wall Street on Thursday.

 The Australian dollar was marginally lower in response to worse that expected domestic unemployment data.

After slashing more than 3000 jobs in 2011, banks are set to drip-feed more job cut announcements in the name of corporate restructures and managing costs.

Australian shares ended flat after disappointing jobs data wiped out earlier gains that were driven by positive offshore leads.

 Australia's third largest oil and gas producer Santos is confident of an increase in production this year after it fell in 2011.

Western Australian Labor leader in waiting, Mark McGowan, says some decisions by the federal government have hurt his party's chances at a state level.

Australia might be enjoying a resources boom but its oil and gas sector has been given a negative credit outlook for 2012 by ratings agency Fitch.

 Shares in Lynas Corporation have surged 3.8 per cent as investors speculated that the rare earths miner will be granted the go-ahead on its lucrative Malaysian facility.

Australia's jobs market is still weakening, official figures show, adding to the case for a further cut in interest rates next month, economists say.

The federal government has vowed to pursue companies that exclude Australian steel manufacturers from bidding for work on massive resources projects by using foreign standards.

Woodside Petroleum has beaten its full-year production forecast after oil assets performed strongly, while high prices have boosted revenue by 15 per cent.

The Australian share market has opened more than three quarters of a per cent higher.

Gold miner Resolute Mining lifted production in the December quarter and has maintained its full-year production target.