AAP

Activity in the services sector fell in June and has been contracting 10 of the past 12 months, a private sector survey shows.

Regional tourism operators, already experiencing a horror year, could be negatively affected if the grounding of Tiger Airways extends into weeks, the peak national tourism body says.

Japan's largest trading house Mitsubishi has taken a substantial stake in rare earths miner Lynas Corporation.

Australia has widened its trade surplus beyond market expectations, led by strength in the rural and resources sector, economists say.

The federal government has yet to bed down all the details of its plan to price carbon, despite announcing it will unveil a scheme on Sunday.

Three Aboriginal leaders fighting against a planned gas hub in Western Australia's Kimberley region have vowed to step up protests despite the riot squad making a dozen arrests at a blockade.

The Australian share market opened stronger today, despite the absence of leads from offshore trading overnight.

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.