AAP

Western Australia's domestic gas reservation policy is interventionist and may prevent new entrants to the market, the petroleum sector's peak body says.

Grains handler and marketer GrainCorp has declined to confirm or deny that it is the subject of takeover interest.

The federal government has unveiled its blueprint for the future of the nation's 18 largest cities with a warning that it's prepared to "intimidate" opponents if necessary.

Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says the extent of the coalition's rollback of the national broadband network would depend on when the next election is called.

Worries about rising interest rates and the Federal budget have caused consumer sentiment to fall in May, a survey shows.

A key independent MP involved in designing the carbon tax says he does not want to see petrol included in the scheme.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory are leading the nation in wages growth, but figures released today do not seem likely to provide the Reserve Bank of Australia with a rationale to raise interest rates next month.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says it was primarily his decision to reject Cazaly Resources' proposal to export iron ore from Fremantle.

The Australian market opened slightly lower today after a mixed performance by United States markets overnight.

The Australian dollar was a third of a US cent higher this morning on the back of poor US economic data released overnight.

Fears grow on economic weak spots – The Fin; Carbon price trade-off may hit tax breaks – The West; Boom-to-bust warning on China – The Aus; Fortescue's US mission to lure expansion funds – the West; Buyer backs Brockman board – The Fin

US blue-chip stocks fell on Tuesday, extending Monday's losses after data showed the housing sector remained deeply depressed in April and Hewlett-Packard painted a dim picture for personal computer sales.

Greens leader Bob Brown says he's concerned at the growing influence of Australian mining firms in Papua New Guinea.

Better returns are available for Australian investors in the booming resources sector offshore as it offers better growth opportunities than the local market, says funds manager Caledonia Investments.

The Australian share market closed higher after a stronger materials sector outweighed struggling gold, energy and financials.

Newcrest Mining says it's preparing to resume production at its Bonikro gold mine in the Ivory Coast now that civil unrest has subdued in the West African nation.

A clutch of Australian bauxite miners say they are not opposed to the principle of a carbon tax.

Taxpayers have already spent close to $5 million accommodating world leaders and their staff ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth later this year.

Shares in Neptune Marine Services jumped after the subsea engineering group said it would post a break-even result before interest and tax for the March quarter as restructuring measures begin to take effect.

Clive Palmer's long-awaited $3 billion plus Resourcehouse float on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is proceeding, with listing understood to be scheduled for June 9.

Qantas Airways has unveiled a new super exclusive tier for its loyalty program to entice its most frequent flyers to keep riding the Flying Kangaroo.

The next move in interest rates is still very likely to be upward, but its timing remains uncertain after the release of the minutes of the central bank's monetary policy meeting, held earlier this month.

Fairfax Media says it may sell its portfolio of radio stations, including Perth talkback station 6PR and 96FM, following "strong expressions of interest" from prospective buyers.

Mirvac Group has reaffirmed its profit and earnings guidance, saying it remains "on track" to deliver earnings growth of between 12 to 14 per cent in 2010/11.

The federal government has rejected setting a carbon price of $40 a tonne to force a switch from coal to gas-fired electricity generation and cut emissions.

The Australian market has defied negative offshore leads in both commodities and equities to open higher on Tuesday.

Slumping tech stocks pulled US markets down Monday as the country struck its limit on borrowing with no increase in sight, putting more pressure on the government to slash spending.

The Australian dollar was slightly stronger this morning, as the market awaits minutes from the central bank's May monetary policy meeting.

PM shifts into sales mode amid downturn warning – The Aus; Buswell sinks iron ore export from Fremantle – The West; Labor backs pay rises for apprentices – The Fin; Fresh bid for carbon tax compo – The West; Stokes warns of major downturn – The Aus

Whitehaven Coal's share price has slumped sharply after the miner took itself off the market, saying none of the takeover proposals were high enough.

Qantas Airways says it is too early to offer any details on what a taskforce has recommended to fix the airline's ailing international operations "severe structural challenges".

The Australian share market fell to a two-month low on a weak Wall Street lead, softer commodity prices and domestic economic data, and with investors' awaiting Greece's economic fate.