AAP

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.

Japanese brewer Asahi Group Holdings has taken control of the company behind Vodka Cruiser and Woodstock Bourbon.

Western Australia's second biggest producer of gas for the domestic market, Apache Energy, will develop the Balnaves oil field offshore from Karratha for $438 million.

Kevin Rudd says he's doing the responsible thing by supporting Prime Minister Julia Gillard amid "policy challenges".

National broadband network company NBN Co is seeking further comment on a revised draft of its wholesale broadband agreement after the competition regulator expressed concerns about third party acc

Power companies have warned of blackouts if the national energy regulator goes ahead with industry rule changes.

The federal opposition says new figures showing the state of the budget cast further doubt on the government's promise to return a surplus in 2012/13.

Qantas baggage handlers and ground staff have voted to keep fighting for better pay, with strikes possibly increased to 24 hours.

Fortescue Metals Group says it has had its highest level of quarterly shipments in the three months since June.

The Australian share market opened flat after the US market's less-than-expected response to Germany's approval to beef up Europe's rescue fund to stave off a second global recession.

Australia's finances are among the strongest in the developed world, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

he Australian dollar was slightly lower after Germany's parliament overwhelmingly approved expanding the powers of the eurozone bailout fund in a major step toward tackling the bloc's sprawling sov

US blue chips rebounded but tech stocks fell Thursday after Germany's parliament approved a crucial EU bailout package and new US data gave the economy a slightly more positive tint.

Traders are closing out positions on copper stocks ahead of fresh manufacturing data from China amid fears the Asian superpower faces an economic slow-down.

Australian shares closed almost one per cent lower, after making back some of the day's losses, with investors worried about a critical German vote on the EU's rescue fund.

The man hailed as the father of the 1960s mining boom in the Pilbara, former premier Sir Charles Court, has been honoured with a statue in the centre of Perth.

Australia's status as an investment destination has improved because the federal government looks certain to lose power, leading to the repeal of the controversial carbon and mining taxes, a Wester

Qantas says more than 8,000 domestic and international passengers will have their flights disrupted by strikes tomorrow.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the coalition won't change its support for the commonwealth's renewable energy target (RET) despite agreeing it's pushing up power prices.

Western Australia's recovering nickel sector will receive a major boost later this year when the Ravensthorpe nickel mine, mothballed by BHP Billiton, resumes production.

The competition regulator has approved Qantas Airways' proposed alliance with American Airlines on trans-Pacific routes.

Stamp duty and other taxes on newly-built housing should be on the agenda at the federal government's national tax forum, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) says.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest says the High Court has vindicated his six-year fight against allegations by the corporate watchdog that he misled investors.

Premier Colin Barnett is sending mixed messages on foreign mining investment, the federal government says.

The Australian sharemarket opened weaker after a three-day trading rally on global markets ended amid doubts eurozone leaders were closer to resolving the debt crisis.

The Australian dollar was almost one US cent lower as traders waited to see how the eurozone would address the Greek debt crisis.

US stocks closed sharply lower after an early rise Wednesday as worries persisted over whether the eurozone would come up with an effective approach to containing the Greek crisis.