AAP

The federal government's proposed carbon tax will have a minimal impact on the value of Australia's top listed companies, according to analysis from a major bank.

Nearly half of senior Australia executives say new technology will drive the biggest change in their companies in the coming decade.

Australian shares fell more than one per cent ahead of scheduled talks between Greece, the IMF and EU, and a meeting of the US Federal Reserve.

The federal opposition has stepped up its challenge to the Gillard government to release its new carbon tax modelling ahead of tomorrow's "shotgun" parliamentary inquiry.

Future Fund chairman David Murray says the federal government could use money from the fund to stabilise the budget, if the rules governing the fund are changed.

Cape Lambert Resources says its Marampa iron ore project in Sierra Leone will cost $US1.5 billion ($A1.47 billion) to develop.

If Australia does nothing to mitigate the effects of climate change other countries will be "significantly discouraged", the federal government's adviser on climate change says.

Straits Resources will pay $US120 million ($A117 million) to restructure an existing sales deal with a JP Morgan company for copper from its Tritton mine in NSW to reflect lower prices for the meta

Qantas passengers won't face delays tomorrow after the union ruled out further strike action, saying people had been "inconvenienced enough".

Global economic uncertainty has helped hold off an interest rate rise and is also keeping inflation in check, the central bank says.

Australia's earnings from resources and energy commodity exports are set to soar by 21 per cent this financial year on the back of strong commodity prices and increased volumes, a national forecast

University of Western Australia Oceans Institute director, Carlos Duarte, has won the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea's Prix d'Excellence  award for his contribu

Leighton Holdings Ltd subsidiary Thiess has won a $100 million contract with Fortescue Metals Group Ltd for works on the Solomon Hub iron ore mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

The Australian share market opened slightly lower with investor sentiment dented by the downgrade of Italy's debt rating.

US stocks slid Monday, snapping a five-session winning streak as traders worried about a possible Greek public debt default and eurozone inaction to confront the crisis.

There's no obvious threat to Western Australian energy and resources facilities that would justify relocating defence units to ensure their protection, a new study says.

Shares in Karoon Gas plummeted by more than seven per cent after it posted a $23.3 million full year loss.

The Australian share market ignored positive offshore leads to close sharply lower amid renewed concerns about the eurozone debt crisis.

Target managing director Launa Inman says she will step down from the position early next year.

One of the world's largest undeveloped zirconium resources is a step closer to becoming an operating mine that could be worth as much as $1.2 billion, says Perth-based minerals explorer Alkane Reso

Engineering group Monadelphous Group has secured a major construction contract for Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting valued at around $150 million.

Federal Treasury Secretary Martin Parkinson says Australia would have to return the national budget to surplus before considering starting up a sovereign wealth fund.

Australia's live music industry contributed $1.21 billion to the national economy last financial year, a new report says.

Bringing Chinese investment into the embattled Oakajee port and rail network won't be easy, Premier Colin Barnett says, with the country still debating the massive project.

The federal government is being asked to consider new measures to make housing more affordable to support the "millions" of low and middle income Australians struggling with high costs.

Western Australia has "hitched its rail cart to China" by signing a bilateral agreement to boost trade and investment, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Qantas has warned that a nationwide strike by airport baggage handlers and ground staff will affect more than 6100 passengers.

Investment company Premier Investments says trading conditions are getting even tougher for retailers, but the company still expects to improve its performance.

The Australian share market opened lower despite a positive lead from Wall Street, as a special weekend meeting between European leaders over the Greek debt crisis spooked investors.

The Australian dollar was trading a third of a US cent lower after news that Greece may have to wait longer for its next round of bailout funds it needs to avoid a debt repayment default.

Forget the patchwork economy - Western Australia is the patchwork state.