AAP

The federal Labor government will not step in and help its Western Australian counterpart if it has to compensate mining companies due to its ban on uranium mines.

Three companies, one based in Western Australia, and a company director from WA face large fines for allegedly underpaying four Filipino workers on Australian oil rigs.

Voters see little difference in the leadership qualities of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.

The Western Australian Police Union says industrial action could affect the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October if officers' demands for better pay are not satisfied.

Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig won't speculate on when the live cattle export trade will resume but in the meantime has set up income assistance for struggling pastoralists.

The company behind one of Australia's largest resource infrastructure projects has confirmed it has entered ownership discussions with interested Chinese parties, after a major foundation customer closed its mid-west iron ore operations last week.

The federal government will provide extra compensation to the nation's lowest income households to offset price rises from the carbon tax.

The Australian share market opened the week lower, in the wake of weaker markets in the United States on Friday.

Labor's carbon pricing policy will be made public in weeks and hinges on big polluters getting a competitive edge by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

US stocks fell on Friday as fresh concerns about eurozone financial stability, this time focusing on Italy, unnerved investors already rattled by the Greek debt crisis.

The Australian dollar is more than a third of a US cent weaker, as traders await a Greek vote on a new austerity package tomorrow.

Perth housing tipped to leap 20 per cent – The West; Chinese on standby to rescue Oakajee – The Fin; New financial disaster threatens, warns BIS – The West; Holden warns on future – The Fin; Labor pledges to veto uranium mining in west – The Aus

Julia Gillard called it "a day of work" and Kevin Rudd joked he's "still here to help".

The Australian share market finished the last day of the week flat as traders dumped smaller stocks ahead of the end of financial year.

Aussie consumers and workers may not be fussed whether or not iconic brewer Foster's is owned by foreigners. Unless it costs jobs and ignores tradition.

The downturn in the retail sector has been due not only to higher official interest rates, says a key central bank official.

The cloud of volcanic ash that has disrupted airline travel throughout Australia over the past two weeks has cost the local industry some $30 million.

A speech by a key central bank official suggests that the reserve bank is still having trouble making its mind up on interest rates.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he expects a reshuffle of the partnerships behind the giant Oakajee port and rail project but remains confident it will go ahead.

The Australian share market defied a weak offshore lead to make marginal gains in opening trade, buoyed by strength in materials and financials stocks.

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

US stocks closed mixed on Thursday, gaining back ground after steep initial losses spurred by a series of gloomy economic reports from the US, Europe and China.

The Australian dollar has opened a quarter of a US cent lower as pessimism about whether the Greek parliament will approve new spending cuts prompted a fresh round of US dollar buying.

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.

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.