AAP

Despite storms, rain and mildew, Australia's vineyards are turning out some quality drops this vintage.

Mermaid Marine Australia says it has won two contracts worth $60 million to provide offshore marine services to Woodside's WA operations.

The West Australian Labor Party will have to "front up to the reality of life" in deciding whether to continue opposing uranium mining, Federal Resource Minister Martin Ferguson says.

Gold remains the most sought-after commodity in an exploration drilling program partly funded by the West Australian government, latest figures show.

Total employment has risen by much less than economists were expecting and may mean the next interest rate rise is further away than previously forecast.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says a decision to suspend live cattle exports to Indonesia does not breach any world trade rules, as a debate rages over how long authorities have known about mistreatment claims.

The competition watchdog has given interim approval for a proposed joint venture agreement between Qantas Airways and American Airlines to coordinate flights to and from the United States.

The British Museum and the West Australian Museum have teamed up to hold an exclusive exhibition during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October.

The Australian share market opened lower on Thursday, in the wake of another fall on United States markets overnight.

Thanks for the memories Europe, but Western Australia's financial and social future lies in Asia. That's the line Premier Colin Barnett has delivered to a London audience overnight.

The Australian dollar is trading over a third of a US cent lower, as the market awaits domestic jobs data and after disappointing employment figures from Greece overnight.

Jakarta fights live export ban – The Aus; RBA tackles credit card gouging – The Fin; Magnetite faces full royalty – The West; Gas backs coal on getting ahead of the carbon game – The Aus; Coal price dispute threatens power sale – The Aus

US stocks ended in negative territory for the sixth time in a row on Wednesday amid fresh signs of trouble for the US economic recovery.

Employees will enjoy a more mobile work environment within three to five years as "smart" technology becomes commonplace at work, research has found.

Thermal coal miner Continental Coal has reported record coal production at its South African mines in May.

Prominent lawyer Lloyd Rayney has formally pleaded not guilty in a Perth court to the 2007 murder of his wife.

Profit-takers descended on the Australian share market, pushing the bourse to a 12 week-low after US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke cast doubt on the strength of US economic growth.

Mortgage brokers and the non-bank sector are to fight the government's proposal to ban exit fees on home loans, with a national advertising campaign starting tomorrow.

Australia should try to get its first electricity generating nuclear reactor up by 2022, despite the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in Japan, the head of the Australian Uranium Association says.

An emissions trading scheme would provide more certainty and confidence for business than a carbon tax, says the peak association for Australia's energy supply industry.

Property developer Stockland looks set to offload a chunk of its industrial property portfolio after receiving a $200 million offer.

Shares in gold miner Navigator Resources were placed in a trading halt after the Australian Securities Exchange blocked the partial sale of its West Australian rare earths project to a related party with common directors.

Employment growth is expected to have returned in May after the fallout from summer's natural disasters caused a drop in April, economists say.

The federal government is considering raising the price of cheap grog to discourage dangerous drinking.

A survey has shown that large companies would be willing to consider hiring overseas staff to overcome skills shortages.

Seven West Media has appointed Chris Wharton as head of its Western Australian media outlets.

Rio Tinto is planning to double its fleet of driverless haul trucks and to deploy them at the Pilbara's largest mine site, Yandicoogina, after a two-year trial performed "well above expectations".

Shares in engineering firm Coffey International soared after outlining a business restructure that the company says will lead to a more disciplined focus on its activities and higher earnings.

The Australian stock market has opened slightly higher, boosted by gains in the materials sector, after US markets plunged overnight.

West Australian farmers will be able to cash in on the growing instability in the Middle East by signing new deals with oil-rich states.

US stock markets gave up all their gains on Tuesday after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke confirmed a gloomy picture of economic growth just 15 minutes before the closing bell.

The Australian dollar is trading a third of a US cent higher this morning, after recovering some losses from yesterday, when the central bank chose to keep interest rates on hold.