AAP

Moments after becoming federal workplace relations minister, Bill Shorten announced last night a breakthrough in the waterfront dispute at Australian ports.

Australian shares clawed back lost ground to end flat after the largest monthly fall in consumer confidence since 2008 dragged down markets.

More than 1,000 businesses affected by alleged price fixing between cardboard manufacturers Amcor and Visy have received an early Christmas present, as the two companies finally come through with $

Poker machine reforms proposed by federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie are too simplistic, casino and media tycoon James Packer says.

Australia's entertainers copped their share of economic woe in 2011, but it's unlikely they'll find a shoulder to cry on.

One third of Fletcher Jones stores, including its Harbour Town outlet in Perth, will close and 61 staff made redundant as the administrators seek to save the clothing business through a sale.

The Australian economy will inevitably suffer spillover effects from the European government debt crisis, Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Ric Battellino says.

Job advertisements on the internet rose by 5.4 per cent in November compared to a month earlier, national data shows.

Consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since August, despite two consecutive cash rate cuts, a survey finds.

Gas pipeline owner APA Group has made a $1.8 billion takeover offer for Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF), an investment fund with gas pipeline assets.

Westpac Banking Corporation says volatility in global financial markets is continuing to weigh on the bank's revenue from its markets and treasury business.

Australian stocks opened slightly lower after the US Federal Reserve disappointed markets by holding off with further monetary easing.

The Australian dollar has dropped slightly after some negative commentary about the eurozone government debt crisis.

US stocks gave up early gains in late trade after the IMF warned Greece's economy was facing deep risks and the Federal Reserve refrained from providing any new spark for the economy.

Canada's decision to formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol doesn't mean the international community isn't serious about tackling global warming, the federal government says.

Mortgage arrears stabilised during the September quarter and are expected to fall as the impact of the central bank's recent interest rate cuts reach borrowers, Fitch Ratings says.

Billions of export dollars look set to keep rolling in at a healthy clip this financial year, despite an uncertain global backdrop.

Australian shares slumped in line with stock markets across Asia as warnings from two ratings agencies wiped out optimism that Europe's debt crisis may be nearing a resolution.

Half of Australian households are not saving money and almost a quarter do not feel they could withstand a financial emergency, research shows.

Rio Tinto has increased its shareholding in Canadian uranium company Hathor Exploration and extended its friendly offer for a second time.

Generation Y is far more financially savvy than they are given credit for, research shows.

A former chairman of Tasmanian timber giant Gunns has appeared in a Launceston court on two charges of insider trading.

Australia's resources and energy exports are set to reach a new record this financial year, though the growth will not be as strong as previously anticipated because of easing commodity prices.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be safely and reliably stored underground, an Australian-led team of researchers has concluded.

Junior minerals explorer Blackthorn Resources has extracted the first ore from its joint venture Perkoa project in Africa, and production remains on target to begin in the second half of 2012.

Maritime workers in Fremantle and Bunbury have been locked out of their berths indefinitely by stevedoring company POAGS.

Australia will need $240 billion of investment in its gas and electricity industries over the next two decades to ensure a reliable supply, a draft federal government white paper says.

Farm exports are expected to grow by six per cent in 2011/12 despite an expected slowdown in world economic growth, the federal government's commodity forecaster says.

Business conditions improved slightly in November, thanks to a boost in mining, retail and services sectors, a private survey has found.

Australian shares slumped 1.6 per cent as warnings from two ratings agencies doused hopes that the measures outlined at Europe's debt summit will be enough to resolve the crisis.

Australian shares rose more than one per cent after US data topped market expectations and a debt deal from Europe boosted hopes for the global economy.

The Australian dollar rose half a US cent as European leaders continued to discuss ways of combating their debt problems.