AAP

Communities hit by natural disasters will get support from a new national agency tasked with helping them rebuild and recover.

ANZ has posted a sharp rebound in first-half profit and boosted its dividend, helped by a recovery among business customers and robust activity in the housing market.

The board of Australia Post has agreed to participate in mediation with former chief executive Christine Holgate.

Westpac is being sued for alleged insider trading, amid claims the bank unfairly profited from a $12 billion interest rate swap deal.

Workers who move to regional Australia to take up farm jobs will receive relocation costs sooner, after the federal government tweaked an underperforming scheme.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says the federal government is promising a lot in next week's budget but insists it will be the delivery that matters.

Scott Morrison is refusing to back down from the India travel ban despite a torrent of criticism from high-profile figures and within conservative ranks.

BHP, Rio Tinto and gold miners had sizeable gains as investors rushed back to commodity stocks and lifted the Australian share market.

The Reserve Bank has upgraded its economic forecast while reiterating that the cash rate will remain at a record low 0.1 per cent until 2024.

Biosecurity controls will be beefed up in a bid to protect Australian agriculture from devastating diseases and pests.

Telstra failed to provide consumers with the opportunity to keep their existing local phone number when changing telcos, copping a $1.5 million fine.

Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate has threatened legal action against the government over her bitterly contested departure after a luxury watches scandal.

All Australians over 50 have access to coronavirus vaccines as health experts move to reassure people the AstraZeneca jab is safe.

Westpac's rebound in earnings has made investors optimistic that other banks due to report this week will produce a similar bounce from the COVID doldrums.

Retail magnate Solomon Lew's Premier Investments will pay back $15.6 million in JobKeeper wage subsidies, in a surprising shift on the taxpayer funds.

Westpac has posted a rebound in half-year earnings as an improving economy helped it dodge potential pitfalls and boosted activity in the key home loans market.

Western Australians face the prospect of an extended period of mask-wearing as the state seeks to avoid another coronavirus lockdown.

A man has faced court accused of threatening to kill Premier Mark McGowan outside his Rockingham home.

Australia's share market had its heaviest loss of April, but investors may not be concerned after the best month since November.

AMP chair Debra Hazelton has urged shareholders to be patient amid the transformation strategy that she expects will deliver long-term value.

Governments and industry have time to build a more reliable and cleaner electricity system if plans are put in place now.

Australia has slammed shut a loophole that allowed travellers from India to dodge a flight ban through transiting in Qatar.

Western Australia's first female speaker of the Legislative Assembly has promised to "preside without fear or favour" while ensuring respect for women.

Australia's share market had its highest close since the coronavirus crash, and is again close to setting all-time records.

Josh Frydenberg wants to drive Australia's unemployment rate below five per cent before he begins the task of budget repair, in what is a marked shift in strategy.

Woolworths has posted a slight increase in group sales for the third quarter, but food sales declined as trading returned to normal after a surge in coronavirus spending last year.

Australia's medicines regulator has suggested it is unlikely two deaths in NSW were linked to coronavirus vaccinations.

Premier Mark McGowan is set to outline plans for the easing of coronavirus restrictions after last weekend's lockdown.

Australia's share market resumed its climb towards record heights after weaker than expected inflation figures encouraged investors that low interest rates will not rise any time soon.

The owner of chains such as Peter Alexander and Just Jeans has announced a new retail chief executive after incumbent Mark McInnes decided to step down.

Interim lockdown restrictions appear on track to end from midnight Friday, as WA records its fourth consecutive day of no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.

Supermarket giant Coles' third-quarter sales slipped 5.1 per cent as trading normalised compared with last year's pre-lockdown stocking.