AAP

Perth-based junior gold explorer Peel Mining says it has been awarded two exploration permits in Central Otago, New Zealand.

Premier Colin Barnett has confirmed Mines Minister Norman Moore is being considered for the post of the state's agent-general in London.

Santos has secured a six-year contract to supply gas from its Reindeer field off Western Australia to Minara Resources' Murrin Murrin nickel mine in the Goldfields.

Transfield Services has secured $130 million in work with the defence industry, including a five-year extension in Western Australia.

Australia must not get involved in the eurozone bailout unless Europe does all it can to get its own house in order, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

The central bank's revision of its economic forecast paints a slightly bleaker picture for economic growth but inflation is not a problem.

The Australian share market has opened more than two per cent higher.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has told a parliamentary inquiry that proposed legislative changes would limit the airline's plans to expand into Asia and as a result would cost jobs.

The Australian dollar has risen almost two US cents after Greece indicated it would not hold a referendum on a debt bailout package.

The world's biggest economies will agree to increase the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) resources to help tackle the European debt crisis, officials at the Group of 20 summit said Thursday.

US stocks shrugged off more eurozone turmoil to rack up solid gains on Thursday, helped by earnings reports, slightly improved jobs numbers and the European Central Bank's interest rate cut.

Western Australia's health department chief has defended the performance of the state's hospitals following a damning national report.

Fixed election dates have been passed into law in Western Australia, meaning future governments cannot choose a polling day for their own advantage.

The Australian dollar has continued its wild ride, slipping to 102.48 US cents after being as high as 107 US cents less than a week ago.

Australia's newest budget airline isn't out to compete directly with embattled Qantas, it says.

Mines Minister Norman Moore should not be appointed as Western Australia's agent-general in London because he's no diplomat, state Labor says.

The Australian share market lost ground for the fourth consecutive day as investor worries about Europe trumped a rebound in the US overnight.

The major banks are focused on improving productivity and cutting costs, as revenues stagnate due to slow credit growth and financial market uncertainty, analysts say.

Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan has made plain to the National Australia Bank boss Cameron Clyde his displeasure at the bank's failure to pass on an official interest rate cut in full.

A decision by supermarket giant Coles to cut the price of milk to $1 a litre has been a win for consumers that had not badly affected Australia's dairy industry, a Senate inquiry has concluded.

A key business lobby group is urging big commercial banks to pass on the official interest rate cut by reducing rates for small- and medium-sized businesses.

Strict new laws in Western Australia will require all cats to be microchipped, sterilised and registered on a database.

Westpac boss Gail Kelly believes the Reserve Bank will need to cut interest rates again in coming months as turmoil and uncertainty in Europe continues to undermine local confidence.

Japanese firm Inpex is denying a news report it has made a final decision to go ahead with a giant gas plant in Darwin.

Retail spending has risen for the third month in a row, giving hope to a sector struggling with a high Australian dollar and consumer caution.

Activity in the Australian services sector contracted in October as sales weakened and new orders fell, a private survey shows.

The Australian share market opened higher after a lift on United States exchange overnight.

Car maker Holden says it has not made a final decision about the future of the Commodore, despite union claims that the next model could be the last created in Australia.

ANZ Banking Corporation has increased full year profit by 19 per cent to $5.36 billion, but says market volatility and consumer caution is likely to be a factor for some time.

The Australian dollar was slightly lower after the US central bank's policy meeting did not announce any new economic stimulus measures.

US stocks have rebounded after the Federal Reserve's policymakers kept ultra-low interest rates and said they were prepared to do more if needed to stimulate the sluggish economy.

Australian shares posted a third consecutive trading day of losses as optimism evaporated about the eurozone debt deal after Greece's call for a referendum on the plan.