AAP

Business backs Labor's carbon tax basics – The Fin; Work safety backlash builds – The Aus; Swan denies talking down the boom – The Fin; Woodside in box seat to secure gas: Voelte – The West; Risky insulation rife in WA – The West

Interest rates look set to stay on hold for a while, with the Reserve Bank of Australia seeing no case to raise the cash rate when its board met earlier this month.

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has promised the carbon price will create more jobs, as industry leaders and unions step up concerns mining and manufacturing positions will be lost.

The rampant Australian dollar is keeping a lid on the price of imported goods, while rising commodity prices are delivering a massive boost to national income.

Both sides of politics should end the farce of the past two years and bring industrial relations reform back on the agenda, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says.

The Australian share market posted its biggest one-day gain in a month on the back of a strong BHP Billiton quarterly production report and record gold price.

The West Australian branch of the Australian Workers Union has accused Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of spreading fear among its members in his visits to work sites across the state.

Virgin Blue is poised to announce a fourth international partnership, this time with Hawaiian Airlines, and has set its sights on Asian expansion.

The outlook for economic growth in the next three to nine months looks strong owing to healthy business investment and a robust labour market, a report has found.

Woodside Petroleum chief executive Don Voelte has used his last annual general meeting with the energy giant to express dismay at the stalemate with the East Timor government over the stalled Sunrise development.

The Australian dollar broke the 106 US-cent mark to yet another fresh post-float high as traders moved back into risk assets.

Woodside Petroleum says the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market will remain robust for at least the next 15 years, underpinned by global population growth and improving standards of living, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

Skilled labour in the residential building industry remained in short supply in the March quarter despite a slowdown in housing sector activity, an industry group says.

The Australian share market has bounced back strongly, led by the materials sector on BHP Billiton's March quarter production report and a record high for the price of gold.

A federal Senate committee investigating the milk price war has delayed handing down its final report, saying it needs more time to sort through the complex issues.

Santos has downgraded its full year production guidance, blaming wild tropical weather for a drop in first quarter production and sales.

The Australian stock market has opened firmer following positive offshore leads from equities and commodities markets, with strength in the materials and financial sectors.

The coal industry says it wants the Gillard government to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan to ensure mines aren't closed as a result of the proposed carbon tax.

Flooding and cyclones have hit production at several of BHP Billiton's divisions but in iron ore the world's biggest resources company held up better than its rivals.

Coles owner Wesfarmers has reported a seven per cent rise in quarterly sales in its supermarket chain, as it says price deflation particularly in non-food retailing continued to affect results.

No windfall in resources boom: Swan – The Aus; PM challenges business on carbon – The Fin; WA regulator savages power subsidy 'welfare' – The Fin; AFL tipped to help fund new stadium – The West; Firm's big stag profit reflects faith in mines – The West

US stocks notched up solid gains on Tuesday as investors weighed positive company earnings and better-than expected data on the sick housing sector.

The Australian dollar has opened more than half a US cent higher, as investors shun the US currency and as the euro rises.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised the carbon price will create more jobs, as industry leaders and unions step up concerns mining and manufacturing positions will be lost.

Nickel producer Independence Group says it has acquired a 92.26 per cent share of base metals miner Jabiru Metals under a friendly takeover offer.

The Australian share market closed sharply lower as investors fretted over Standard & Poor's downgrade on its outlook for US sovereign debt.

Engineering consulting and contracting firm GR Engineering Services has made a strong debut on the Australian Securities Exchange.

All speed and red light camera fines in Western Australia will be channelled into funding road safety measures by 2012, the state government says.

Colac meat processor CRF says a takeover bid by supermarket giant Coles is the best outcome possible for shareholders and workers.

The ACTU wants talks with industry and the federal government on how to manage the impact of the proposed carbon tax.

Qantas Airways will charge a fuel surcharge on frequent flyer redemption seats, as part of another round of air fare increases driven by rising fuel prices.

Mincor Resources has reported a fall in March quarter nickel sales due to production problems at two of its five mines in Kambalda.