AAP

About 10,000 call centre workers and door-to-door salespeople around Australia could be out of pocket as a result of being engaged as independent contractors.

ANZ Banking Group has increased first half profit by 38 per cent to a record as the lender raises market share while warning that the operating environment is challenging.

The federal government's proposed carbon tax will make it hard for Australia to remain a first world economy, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

The strength of the Australian dollar is having an impact on the final framing of Treasurer Wayne Swan's fourth budget which he will hand down in a week's time.

Shares in Fairfax Media have fallen by more than eight per cent as it forecasts a drop in revenue and earnings, and outsources subediting for its largest mastheads.

The Australian market was firmly in the red at noon, down about one per cent as investor concern continues over the high Australian dollar ahead of the central bank's interest rates decision.

The federal government has nominated new leaders for the nation's two competition and corporate watchdogs.

Death of al-Qaida leader no magic bullet for markets –The West; Abbott's toiling keeps Coalition ahead –The Aus; Chevron applies to raise Gorgon output –The Aus; Bid to reverse coalmine ban in Margaret River –The West; Extract upbeat on Namibia –The West

US stock markets dipped on Monday as investors focused on weakness in the economy as euphoria about the US slaying of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden faded.

The Australian dollar was slightly higher this morning after an up-and-down night, trading on thin volumes, which made movements more pronounced.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has ruled out linking the proposed carbon tax to the rate of the Aussie dollar.

Centro Properties Group expects to post a second half loss as a result of its United States asset sale and says discussions are continuing on a domestic restructure.

The Australian share market clawed back to close flat when all the talk was surrounding the death of Osama Bin Laden, overshadowing early losses from a plunge in silver futures and a new high for the strong local currency.

A rising Australian dollar is putting a smile on the face of Aussies buying imported goods and travelling overseas, but many local businesses, especially exporters, aren't jumping for joy.

Woolworths' hardware brand is to be known as "Masters", as Australia's biggest supermarket chain continues to prepare for its entry into the $42 billion home improvement market.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has unveiled a controversial plan to pay cash bonuses to top-performing school teachers ahead of next week's federal budget.

Shares in Extract Resources have been placed in a trading halt on the eve of a Chinese state-owned nuclear power firm's deadline to make a formal takeover bid for it's top shareholder.

Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden has been killed in a US operation in Pakistan, President Barack Obama has announced.

A Qantas flight carrying about 100 mining workers from Perth has been turned back after a loud bang shook the plane.

The $US3.5 billion ($A3.19 billion) expansion of BHP Billiton's Samarco iron ore pellet joint venture in Brazil suggests a bullish long-term outlook for the steel-making commodity, analysts say.

The government must account for its proposed carbon tax in this month's federal budget or it won't be worth the paper it is written on, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says he wants to turn the second mining boom into an opportunities boom.

The Australian share market has begun the week weaker after heavy losses last week.

The maritime union says waterfront workers on strike at Fremantle Port have had a "gutful" with stevedoring company Patrick's approach to wage negotiations.

Explosives and chemicals manufacturer Orica says it expects full year profit to be above last financial year, although the strong Australian dollar could cost the business $30 million in second half profit.

The Australian dollar has passed the 110 US-cent mark as the US dollar continued its weakness against most major currencies.

China seeks control over iron ore – The Fin; Mine boom raises fears of inflation – The Aus; Asian central banks buy $A in search of safety – The Fin; Strike spreads across country – The Aus; Margaret River mine ban rushed – The Fin

US stocks rose modestly on Friday, with Dow blue chips spurred by Caterpillar's earnings while the Nasdaq struggled after lacklustre Microsoft results and a poor Research in Motion forecast.

This article has been removed following an approach by lawyers for Mike Quigley and Jean-Pascal Beaufret.

Borrowers are expected to be spared an interest rate rise on Tuesday, even though inflation is showing signs of creeping up, economists say.

The security contractor G4S has pleaded guilty to failing to prevent the heat-stroke death of an Aboriginal elder in the back of a prison van in Western Australia's goldfields region.

The Federal Court has dismissed an application by Kimberley gas hub opponent Joseph Roe to appeal a court ruling appointing replacements for him as a native title claim applicant.