AAP

Cougar Energy has decided not to try and remain a joint venture partner in the gas project that Enebba Gas kicked it out of in January.

Agreement on a $30 billion Kimberley gas hub is "the most significant act of self-determination by Aboriginal people in Australian history", Premier Colin Barnett says.

The final details of Australia's emissions trading scheme are expected to be announced next week, with the Australian Greens saying major hurdles have been overcome.

Australian stocks opened firmer, with strong gains among healthcare and energy-linked companies leading the broader market higher.

Industrial action by Qantas engineers looks set to spread across the country next week, with union bosses planning rolling stoppages at half a dozen major airports as part of a dispute over pay and conditions.

Leading West Australian grain organisation Co-operative Bulk Handling will no longer have a monopoly over the transportation of grain in the state, the competition watchdog has ordered.

Labor, Greens close to signing carbon tax deal – The West; ATO tightens screws on business – The Fin; Mining tax may hit gold and uranium – The West; Browse not threatened: Barnett – The Fin; Barminco parks float to wait out downturn – The West

US stocks rallied on Wednesday after the Greek parliament approved an unpopular austerity plan, warding off the risk of a sovereign default that could destabilise Europe's financial system.

The Australian dollar was around one US cent higher this morning, as concerns over Greece's debt crisis ease.

Centro directors Paul Cooper and Jim Hall will continue to serve on the Centro Properties Group board, despite an adverse court finding against the two as well as six former directors.

Qantas passengers will face travel delays early next week when the airline's engineers take industrial action as part of a dispute over pay and conditions.

Jetstar says its suspension of flights in response to volcanic ash was made for safety reasons alone, not to save money.

The Australian stock market closed higher, driven by gains across most sectors ahead of a Greek vote on austerity measures overnight.

Telstra Corporation chief financial officer and board member John Stanhope says he will retire after overseeing a shareholder vote on the telco's $11 billion deal with the federal government on the national broadband network (NBN).

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has refused to say when a ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia might be lifted.

Sundance Resources is still negotiating with potential Chinese partners for its flagship west African project that it hopes will make it a key player in the global iron ore market.

Multi-millionaire Geoff Prosser will become the next president of the West Australian Liberal Party in a process that will be simpler than last week's ballot over the federal presidency.

Adam Gilchrist says his fame as a cricketer benefits him for about five minutes when he's doing business in India.

Internet job advertisements for skilled workers rose by 0.3 per cent in May compared to a month earlier, national data shows.

The coalition will work hard to persuade key federal crossbench MPs to block the passage of the proposed mining tax into law and prevent a $19 billion budget black hole, the opposition's assistant treasury spokesman says.

Mine bosses have hit back at a report commissioned by the Australian Greens, which urges a rise in taxes on the resources industry, which is mainly foreign owned.

The Australian stock market has opened firmer with strong gains among resources-linked companies in response to higher commodities prices overnight.

ALP bends to seal deal with Greens – The Aus; Call for board revamp after Centro ruling – The Aus; Rio boss warns against meddling with economy – The West; Executives clash over gas hub – The West; Double wages blow for employers – The Fin

US stock markets rallied on Tuesday, with all three major indices leaping more than one per cent amid optimism that Europe would reach a deal to avoid a destabilising default by Greece.

The Australian dollar was one US cent higher amid growing optimism the Greek parliament will pass its package of tax rises and spending cuts.

Virgin Australia will seek to end its relationship with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as it pursues a partnership with aviation powerhouse Singapore Airlines.

National Australia Bank's move into China announced this week will be followed by similar ventures later in the year in India and Indonesia.

Australian banks have become less vulnerable to international financial shocks, a central bank official says.

Traditional owners in the Kimberley have negotiated an agreement with Pluton Resources for an iron ore mine to be opened on Irvine Island in the Buccaneer Archipelago.

The Australian share market closed a touch higher, led by defensive healthcare stocks and subdued support for the nation's big miners and banks.

Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese says the company will grow as demand for resources continues unabated over the next 10 years.

A leading New Zealand aviation analyst has claimed it was cash, not ash, that grounded Qantas and Jetstar planes while plumes of Chilean volcano cloud hung over the Tasman Sea.