AAP

Clive Palmer's $30 billion battle with the state of Western Australia might finally be resolved when the two parties return to the High Court.

Scott Morrison and his British counterpart Boris Johnson have struck a free trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom.

GPs have been given the green light to visit people at home or in disability or aged care facilities, in a bid to fast-track the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Scott Morrison is heading to London for talks with Boris Johnson but an Australia-UK free trade deal might not be finalised during his visit.

Australia has become even more isolated on climate change after the heads of the world's largest economies agreed to end government support for coal-fired power stations by the end of the year.

Shares finished the week at a record closing level on the ASX as a fund manager tipped infrastructure assets to give long-term value on increasingly pricey markets.

A judge has approved a $1.2 billion settlement between robodebt victims and the federal government while blasting the scheme for being a "shameful chapter" in public administration.

Premier Investments has raised its full-year retail earnings forecast by about 90 per cent after booming sales this year.

Clive Palmer and Mark McGowan have been ordered to meet "face-to-face" in a bid to resolve the mining magnate's defamation case against the premier.

Medical experts have reassured Australians about the safety of coronavirus vaccines after the death of a 52-year-old woman, and are encouraging people to keep coming forward.

The federal government has announced which hotels, motels and other facilities will share in $10.2 million in funding for energy saving projects.

Australia and Singapore have agreed to work on the conditions for quarantine-free travel during a brief leaders' meeting.

Australians have been warned reaching a population-wide vaccination target will not trigger a federal government decision to open international borders.

Shares climbed to a record closing high on the Australian market but may tumble on Friday if there is any sign of rising inflation from the US.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration says the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine far outweigh the risks after a NSW woman died from a blood clot in the brain.

Western Australians aged under 50 are flocking to get vaccinated against coronavirus but their middle-aged counterparts are proving less enthusiastic.

Woolworths' takeover of distributor PFD Food Services will go ahead despite concerns the move will eventually lead to fewer workers in the industry.

Australia and Singapore have agreed to start work on a plan for a travel bubble which would initially allow students to return.

Shares reached record heights for the sixth consecutive trading day on the Australian market before investors saw signs of rampant inflation in China.

Airline Regional Express has forecast a full-year loss of $15 million due to Victoria's coronavirus outbreak.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his strong support for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic has "nothing to do with politics".

Doctors have thrown their support behind linking vaccine certificates to greater freedoms in a bid to drive up jab rates.

A record high for the Australian share market did not lead to big gains for investors, who remain wary of inflation data due in China and the US.

Australia's chief nurse has declared mass vaccination will be the key to defeating mutant coronavirus strains, including variants detected in the Melbourne outbreak.

Australian farmers are on track to plant the biggest winter crop in the nation's history with strong rainfall and high global prices outweighing a mouse plague.

Hotel quarantine guests in Western Australia could soon be required to undergo a fourth COVID-19 test after a scare involving a maritime worker.

Coronavirus vaccines are being made available to all National Disability Insurance Scheme participants aged over 16.

Shares extended all-time highs on the Australian market, and overseas inflation data appears the only immediate obstacle to rising portfolio values.

Coronavirus vaccines could soon be mandatory for aged care and disability workers in a bid to lower the risk of nursing home deaths.

New lending for housing in Western Australia has dropped 7.9 per cent after applications under the state's Building Bonus Grant closed, while national lending has risen to a record high.

People with disability will have access to dedicated vaccination hubs in central locations as the Morrison government tries to speed up the rollout across the sector.

China will handle disputes regarding anti-dumping and countervailing duties on barley imported from Australia in line with settlement procedures of the World Trade Organisation, the state news agency Xinhua repors, citing the commerce ministry.