AAP

US stocks suffered a brutal sell-off Thursday fuelled by the Federal Reserve's stark warning about the health of the US economy.

The Australian dollar has fallen sharply to 10-month lows, as concerns over the state of the US economy cause a massive sell-off on global markets.

The Australian dollar closed below parity with the greenback on Thursday afternoon, on concerns that the US Federal Reserve was not doing enough to stimulate America's ailing economy.

The salary of Australia's Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens rose by 3.7 per cent in the last financial year, in line with the average wage growth for public servants.

The Australian share market closed more than 2.6 per cent lower to its weakest close in more than two years, amid global uncertainty following big falls on Wall Street over a downgraded economic ou

The federal opposition has continued its attack on Treasurer Wayne Swan, a day after opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey was criticised for attacking his Euromoney's Finance Minister of the Ye

Aboriginal MP Carol Martin says she'll sue the people who put out newsletters labelling her a "coconut", saying the racial slur was the worst ever directed at her.

More than 1,300 Qantas passengers will be affected by a fresh round of industrial action, the airline says.

Australia's largest brick and tile maker, Brickworks, says it has axed 17 per cent of its workforce and will close two more factories before Christmas due to the depressed housing market.

A leading business lobby group intends pushing the coalition to revive a policy of individual employment contracts in the run-up to the next election.

Miners' unions are frustrated with bosses crying poor when the latest BRW young rich list names mining magnates among the wealthiest in the country.

Perth-based Shell senior executive Ann Pickard is to join the board of Westpac Banking Corporation.

Lynas Corporation has flagged a 30 per cent jump in full year pre-tax loss due to higher operating costs at its Mt Weld rare earths mine in Western Australia as production is ramped up.

The Australian dollar has briefly dipped below parity with the US dollar.

Foster's suitor SABMiller is likely to introduce more international beer brands into the Australian market, which could result in the sector looking very different in 10 years, says a market analys

The coalition will continue to shun a push by business lobby groups to revive statutory individual employment contracts.

Many retailers are struggling because households are saving more and when they do spend, the money goes on services rather than goods, a senior reserve bank official says.

The Australian dollar fell to a six-week low - and back near parity - after the US Federal Reserve announced new measures to support its ailing economy.

US stocks dived Wednesday after the Federal Reserve announced new measures to support the flagging economy that left investors cold.

The Australian dollar was three-quarters of a US cent higher amid growing optimism the US Federal Reserve will take action to help the struggling American economy.

Many Australians are headed for lean times in retirement, having only about a third of the superannuation that's needed for a comfortable life, National Australia Bank's head of wealth management s

Changes to federal environment laws will add an "unnecessary level of bureaucracy" for state national parks, state Environment Minister Bill Marmion says.

Western Australia's Premier Colin Barnett says he's disgusted by the racial vilification of Aboriginal land owners who support a gas hub near Broome.

Brewer Foster's Group says a decline in the Australian beer market is easing, and the market should grow again once the current period of economic uncertainty ends.

The Australian share market has recovered to finish in positive territory, pushed up by positive economic data out of China.

Union leaders will join industry and the government to help connect skilled workers with jobs through a fast-tracked national agency.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says proper science and economics would compel a future Labor government to reinstate carbon pricing if it was scrapped by a coalition government.

Workers coming to Australia under the Pacific Seasonal Worker Scheme will pay less tax under new draft laws.

David Jones is working on a five year plan to turn around sales as the department store faces a grim Christmas season.

Qantas passengers could face delays next week after the Transport Workers Union (TWU) flagged further strikes as part of an ongoing row over pay and conditions.

Atlas Iron has succeeded in its $240 million takeover of fellow iron ore miner FerrAus, gaining just under 95 per cent of the target.