AAP

Barnett says port will be successful–The West; Forrest turns up heat on Gillard–The Fin; Retailers seek costs study on energy target–The Fin; Rudd mounts rescue bid to end cattle standoff–The Aus; Telstra's $11b deal fails to impress stakeholders-The West

Australia's two biggest supermarket chains say they have not been consulted about implementing a carbon tax and doubt it can be done by July 2012.

The Australian share market closed weaker, in line with a global sell-off following a downbeat assessment of US growth by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Qantas Airways has announced a new domestic fare structure it says is simpler, more flexible and offers further frequent flyer benefits.

Western Australia's corruption watchdog could be called in to investigate the alleged doctoring of a report which resulted in funding for a school for disabled children being cut.

A volcanic ash cloud that has disrupted flights across Australia should move on later today, allowing airlines to reassess their service cancellations.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott should not attend a conference alongside Lord Monckton after the British climate change sceptic likened government adviser Ross Garnaut to a Nazi, Labor MPs say.

A drawn out and turbulent period of negotiation is over after Telstra reached an $11 billion agreement to participate in the national broadband network.

The Australian share market has opened weaker after a slide on Wall Street overnight, brought on after the US Federal Reserve made a bleak forecast for economic recovery.

US stocks closed lower on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve offered a bleak outlook on the struggling economic recovery and vowed to maintain its policy of ultra-low interest rates.

The Australian dollar has opened a quarter of a US cent lower after investors bought US dollars in response to comments from the US Federal Reserve that US economic growth had slowed, but should pick up again soon.

Rising share price tightens pressure on Foster's suitor–The West; Forward thinking needed on China, Raby warns–The Aus; Diplomatic breakdown adds to cattle woes–The West; Stockland's $457m asset buy–The Aus; Live sheep trade may move to Kwinana–The West

DULUX’S manufacturing facility in O'Connor has just hit the market and is expected to attract interest from developers and owner-occupiers, according to its vendors.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has foreshadowed "tough decisions" and a greater focus on Asia to turn around the airline's loss-making international business.

The Australian share market closed higher on investor optimism that debt-burdened Greece will access more bailout money and avoid generating more financial turmoil.

Julia Gillard has used parliament's question time to highlight the achievements of her first year as prime minister, saying she wants to spread opportunities to all Australians.

Premier Colin Barnett says the federal government had tried to pressure the state to cancel its agriculture minister's trip to Indonesia in response to the ban on live cattle exports.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest says he is feeling "quite confident" about reaching his target of 50,000 job offers for indigenous Australians by the end of next week.

The outlook for economic growth in the next three to nine months is still weak as the economy continues to deal with the impact of the floods, a report has found.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says protesters blockading the site of a proposed $30 billion gas hub in the Kimberley should "move on" now they've made their point.

Rio Tinto says it will increase its stake in Ivanhoe Mines by exercising its remaining warrants in the Canadian company for $476 million in a deal related to the development of the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in Mongolia.

Qantas Airways says underlying profit before tax is expected to be between $500 million and $550 million for the full 2010/11 year, and announced a settlement with engine manufacturer Rolls Royce.

A proposal by federal Defence Minister Stephen Smith to base more military assets in western and northern Australia has been welcomed by Premier Colin Barnett.

West Australian Labor Party members are set to clash at this weekend's state conference over whether to endorse a permanent ban on live animal exports.

Australian stocks opened higher this morning, with market players buoyed by developments in Greece and amid firmer commodities prices.

Aquila Resources says it has not reached an agreement with Brazilian resources giant Vale regarding how coal shipments can be made separately from a jointly owned mine.

Most flights have resumed in Sydney after an ash cloud that has caused massive delays moved from mainland Australia to hover over Tasmania and New Zealand.

The Australian dollar has opened a quarter of a US cent higher amid encouraging signs Greece may avoid a credit default.

US stocks closed higher on Tuesday amid hopes that Greece's government would survive a confidence vote, a crucial first step in defusing the country's debt crisis and stabilising Europe's finances.

Full-strength Foster's bid tipped – The Aus; Cattle industry fears Jakarta will impose ban – The Fin; Hunger driving trade reform – The Aus; Labor's ploy to cut power bills – The Fin; Murchison caught in vortex of Mid West share price crash – The West

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is still hopeful of securing Senator Steve Fielding's support for a national vote on the carbon tax after his Family First party boss backed it.

Australian shares held on to early gains to put in their best performance in about a week on the back of firm offshore leads.