AAP

The Australian dollar was trading higher today ahead of key domestic inflation data but drifted for most of the day session.

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest says the iron ore price will be softer in the longer term.

Wine maker Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) says trading conditions remain challenging but that the company is well placed for growth.

More flights were on time during September than in the previous year but still below the long-term average, new data shows.

Australian shares declined 0.6 per cent, after yesterday's 2.6 per cent jump, as traders awaited two key announcements due tomorrow.

The economist known as "Dr Doom"  told the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth today that there is a more than 50 per cent chance of another world recession.

Property developer Stockland says consumer sentiment improved in the first three months of the financial year, as evidenced by its sales figures for the period.

WorleyParsons has reaffirmed its guidance of improved earnings in the current financial year and says it continues to evaluate opportunities for new business growth.

The gold price could rise to $US2,200 an ounce by 2013 as global economic uncertainty continues, South Africa-based gold mining giant AngloGold Ashanti says.

Australia's carbon tax and minerals resources rent tax (MRRT) have helped make the country a less-favoured destinations for mining investment, says one of the world's largest resources investment m

Shareholders have rejected the remuneration package for the management of clothing and linen producer Pacific Brands.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed as premature reports Australia might be asked to help fund a Eurozone rescue plan.

A man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly entered a restricted security zone put in place for the Commonwealth leaders' meeting in Perth.

The Australian Greens have made slight gains, following a fortnight of Labor and the coalition playing a blame-game over asylum seekers.

Customs staff at international airports across the country plan to strike this week over a pay deal dispute with the federal government.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has again left the door open to lower interest rates and flagged tomorrow's inflation data as potentially paving the way for a move.

The Australian dollar rose to a six-week high on hopes that European leaders would soon announce plans to contain the region's debt crisis and avert a recession.

Strong demand for construction and mining equipment should boost Caterpillar Inc's revenue through next year, even as the health of global economy remains in doubt.

The Australian dollar hit a six-week high today, buoyed by encouraging Chinese manufacturing data.

Australian shares gained about $35 billion in value as buyers and confidence returned, amid hopes of a comprehensive fiscal stability plan for Europe that also led to a rally on offshore markets.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she expects "intense" discussion at this week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth.

Engineering and commercial construction is expecting a big boost this financial year and next thanks to the booming resources sector, a new survey has found.

The mining industry might be the darling of the business pages but it's painted as demonic by general news media, a conference has been told.

The Australian share market has opened over 1.5 per cent higher as European leaders work towards finalising measures to boost Europe's bailout fund and resolve the Greek debt crisis.

The Australian dollar rose almost one US cent as European leaders closed in on a broad agreement to resolve the euro debt crisis.

Australian farmers could be key to fighting global hunger and poverty, World Vision says.

Europe has inched closer to a resolution of its crippling economic crisis, winning praise from the head of the IMF and fresh reform pledges from debt-wracked Italy.

The number of Western Australians needing help to pay their water bills has blown out by more than 700 per cent in the past year.

A motel owner from a remote Western Australian town has been fined $9000 for illegally lending money to Aboriginal people at interest rates of up to 50 per cent.