AAP

PM set to unveil carbon package – The West; Project backlog an $86bn threat to productivity – The Aus; Customer questions Lanco's licence to mine - The Fin; Bank under attack in Saraceni case – The Fin; Norwegian firm in clear-cut WA deal – The West

European stocks closed mostly firmer, posting very modest gains in quiet trade as the US markets were shut for the Independence Day public holiday.

The Australian dollar was weaker this morning on renewed concerns about Greece's debt, after a credit rating agency warned that the latest bailout deal could still amount to a default.

A protester who chained himself to a bulldozer during a blockade of a gas hub site in the Kimberley has been fined $200.

Online movie rental company Quickflix is to pick up Telstra's BigPond Movies DVD rental business.

The federal government insists Indonesia's decision not to reissue import permits for live Australian cattle is not a permanent roadblock.

Australian stocks underperformed their Asian and US counterparts as disappointing retail spending figures for May surprised the market and left retail stocks struggling.

Federal Finance Minister Penny Wong has downplayed Tony Windsor's suggestion the government can't guarantee petrol will be exempt from a carbon tax forever.

Builders are worried there will not be enough private sector work available when the federal government stimulus programs end.

Shares in Treasury Wine Estate have soared on reports that a Chinese food company is considering making a bid for the company.

Travellers will have to wait until later this week to learn when grounded airline Tiger Airways will fly again.

The outlook for interest rates is unchanged despite the release of weaker than expected retail trade and building approvals data, economists say.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he will abide by the result of a national vote on the carbon tax.

If the West Australian government ends up in a legal battle with building tycoon Len Buckeridge over the disastrous Perth Arena project, it will be thanks to the mess left by the previous Labor government, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Australian stocks has opened about one per cent higher as market players took their cues from a positive finish to weekend offshore trading.

The Australian dollar was trading at a one-month high this morning, as confidence returns to the market after last week's crucial vote in Greece.

Wall Street polished off its best week in two years with a strong performance on Friday, shrugging off the spectre of a slow economy, high oil prices and the Greek crisis.

Business to pay fuel carbon tax – The Fin; New Jakarta ban shuts down live cattle trade - The Aus; $45,000-a-day bill for Buckeridge – The Fin; Traders' lease secrecy win –The West; Karoon gets nod for Browse plan – The Aus

The Australian dollar's spectacular run is likely to come to an end, but it's unlikely to fall too far from its recent record highs.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown has challenged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to a debate over the government's planned carbon price.

Australian borrowers are likely to be spared an interest rate rise when the central bank board meets next week, but a hike is coming, perhaps as soon as August.

Six people and two companies related to Australia's central bank have become the first to to be charged under Australian foreign bribery laws.

The Australian share market closed lower after a weak Chinese manufacturing report dampened demand for commodities-linked companies, and softness among banking stocks.

Perth-based Continental Coal will buy a further 35.9 per cent stake in South African miner Mashala Resources to take full ownership.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has admitted Labor's carbon price regime will indeed start with a carbon tax before being replaced by an emissions trading scheme.

Ahead of last year's federal election Tony Abbott declared Work Choices "dead, buried, cremated".

Australian manufacturing activity has grown for the first time in four months, but the sector is still struggling to cope with a high exchange rate and weak local demand.

Shares in rare earths supplier Lynas Corporation plunged by more than nine per cent on Friday as the company denied reports that a planned Malaysian plant could be delayed by one to two years.

Australian Employment Covenant founder Andrew Forrest says a key milestone has been passed with more than 270 companies committing to 55,000 jobs for indigenous people.

Perth-based shipbuilder Austal says the US Navy has confirmed the construction of two more high speed vessels, the sixth and seventh in a $US1.6 billion, 10-vessel program.

Ice cream maker Baskin-Robbins expects to open another 10 stores in Western Australia this year as it focuses its domestic business on the resource-rich states of WA and Queensland.

Australian shares were slightly higher at open, after another night of strong performances on Wall Street following the second, positive vote by the Greek parliament on austerity measures.