AAP

Tough new abalone laws have been introduced to Western Australia this season, giving recreational fishermen just one hour on the first Sunday of each month to collect the valuable shellfish.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told Labor MPs the decision by Qantas to ground its fleet at the weekend was irresponsible.

Campbell Brothers has bought US-based environmental and food analytical group, Columbia Analytical Services (CAS), for $US33 million ($31 million), as the company seeks to expand in the United Stat

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she wants developing nations to invest in clean energy, as she heads to the G20 leaders' summit on France's south coast.

Wesfarmers has raised $500 million through the issue of fixed-rate medium-term notes.

The Australian share market has opened one per cent lower, led by the big miners, as renewed worries about the Eurozone crisis emerged.

The Australian dollar bounced back overnight after a big sell-off yesterday afternoon, sparked by Japanese authorities reducing the value of the yen.

The federal government will have to clear another hurdle on its mining tax with key independent MPs demanding stricter rules for coal seam gas proposals on farm land.

US stocks plunged Monday amid renewed worries about the eurozone debt crisis, which claimed its first major US casualty -- a key brokerage that filed for bankruptcy.

The Australian dollar is weaker from Friday as traders await a interest rate decision by the central bank on Tuesday.

The Australian Securities Exchange's 21-year monopoly on share trading is over after cheaper rival Chi-X quietly opened for business.

France's Arianespace will launch a new satellite for Optus in 2013 to boost capacity for the telco's internet, voice and data services.

Ratings agencies have placed Qantas Airways on review for a possible downgrade following the grounding of the entire Qantas fleet over the weekend.

The Royal Australian Air Force has come to the rescue of federal MPs stuck in Western Australia due to the Qantas strike.

Credit growth picked up a little in September, marginally eroding the case for lower interest rates, but price measures leant the other way.

The Australian share market has ended another volatile month on global stock markets by posting the biggest one-month gain in two years.

Shares in Africa-focused miner Paladin were punished after it reported a fall in uranium production amid weak market prices, despite record sales for the September quarter.

The only way to meet a tripling in natural gas demand in eastern Australia is by allowing unconventional gas projects, such as coal seam gas (CSG), oil and gas producer Santos says.

Unions representing Qantas workers may challenge a ban on strike action but say they hope to settle their industrial dispute with the airline.

Price rises associated with travel and home ownership were offset by falling fruit and vegetable  and rent costs in October, according to a new survey.

Rare earths supplier Lynas Corporation says slight delays mean a planned Malaysian plant will now come on line during the first half of 2012.

The Australian share market opened the week lower, after markets in the United States had mixed results on Friday.

Qantas will recover market share and press ahead with plans to set up an international business in Asia despite incurring more that $100 million in lost earnings, the airline's boss says.

The Australian dollar is at its highest levels in almost two months, rising on the back of optimism that the eurozone debt crisis will be contained.

After powerful equity relief rallies on a European debt crisis deal and stronger US economic growth, Wall Street investors are poised to refocus on the home front this week.

Energy giant Royal Dutch Shell says net profits doubled to $US6.98 billion ($A6.73 billion) between June and September as revenues rose by a third thanks to higher oil prices.

The Queen was surrounded by didgeridoos, AFL footballs and kangaroo stew as Aboriginal Australia took centre stage on her visit to Perth.

The Australian dollar is trading at seven-week highs, gaining over one US cent after a breakthrough was announced to resolve the eurozone government debt crisis.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says Labor's ban on selling uranium to India isn't holding back the country's civil nuclear program.

A clash is looming between police and protesters planning to occupy Forrest Place, with authorities insisting that overnight camping there won't be allowed.

Australian shares closed up more than two per cent after a truncated trading day caused by technical problems.

The Duke of Edinburgh has visited the University of Western Australia to learn about the latest aerial mining exploration technology.