AAP

The Australian dollar fell below the 95.00 US cent mark for the first time in just over 12 months, despite the release of stronger-than-expected local economic data.

Stronger than expected international trade and building approvals figures for August should not change the central bank's interest rate outlook, economists say.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has flagged tax changes to allow businesses to use their financial losses more appropriately.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he was not invited to the government's tax forum, which he's dismissed as "pointless talkfest".

Sundance Resources shares are up by nearly 10 per cent after its board unanimously supported a $1.65 billion take-over offer from China's Hanlong Mining.

Business groups have called for the federal government's tax forum to be based on the Henry review recommendations rather than start from scratch.

The Australian share market opened lower - but better than expected - as investors returned to normal trading after the public holiday.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has opened the federal government's tax forum by paying tribute to "the great nation we live in".

The Australian dollar hit an 11-month low overnight after Greece said it would miss deficit targets this year and next year.

Wall Street suffered another slump Monday as concerns about the economy, contagion from the European debt crisis and rumours of an American Airlines bankruptcy dragged down markets.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a 10-month low as traders await an overnight vote in the US Senate on China's alleged currency manipulation and on ongoing worries about Europe.

Retailers are bracing for a lean Christmas with heavy job losses and meagre sales expected amid growing economic uncertainty.

The Australian share market closed sharply lower, shedding about $35 billion in value with less buyers in the market on a public holiday.

Low cost airline Tiger Airways will cap off a horror period, in which it was suspended from flying in Australia, by forecasting a large loss for the September quarter.

The average cost of running a state government minister's office has blown out by more than $570,000 since the Liberal Party took power three years ago, according to a report.

The federal government should take action to ease the tax burden on Australians at this week's tax forum in Canberra, shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says.

Elders has started offloading its struggling forestry business, blaming weak woodfibre demand and poor prices.

Copper miner Aditya Birla has been fined by a Queensland court for having too much water at its Mt Gordon mine in the Mt Isa region.

Just days before a summit on manufacturing jobs, new figures suggest the sector is still suffering from the impact of a high Australian dollar and weak local demand.

Australian unions want casual and contract workers to have access to rights such as holiday and overtime pay if they stay with the same employer.

Sundance Resources has accepted an improved takeover bid by China's Hanlong Mining, valuing the iron ore explorer at $1.65 billion, according to a people familiar with the deal.

US stocks dropped more than two per cent on Friday as signs of slower growth spanning China, Europe and the United States, and the ongoing Greek crisis, hung darkly over the markets.

The Australian dollar is half a US cent lower after market sentiment turned sour on the news that a further expansion of a Eurozone bailout fund is unlikely.

The Australian dollar is three-quarters of a US cent lower as parliaments of Eurozone nations gradually pass a bailout package.

Global energy giant ConocoPhillips has executed a deal to earn a majority interest in the Goldwyer shale gas project in Western Australia from Perth-based New Standard Energy.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has described raising the GST rate so that other taxes might be eliminated as a "lazy solution" and economically inefficient.

A new marine park at Western Australia's Eighty Mile Beach will cover 209,000 hectares and protect migratory shorebirds and unique marine life, the state government says.

The Australian share market closed flat after a day of trading within a narrow range ahead of long weekends locally and in Asia.

Western Australia's lead fire agency is moving to mend its acrimonious relationship with other agencies with its new chief admitting ego and personality fuel its poor culture.