AAP

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.

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

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.

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.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $747 million defence infrastructure package during a visit to the Northern Territory.

Investors rushed to sell technology stocks and the Australian market fell for a second consecutive day in the leadup to US tech giants reporting earnings this week.

Australia Post's directors have railed against claims privatising parcel deliveries was considered as pressure increases for the entire board to be sacked.

All direct passenger flights into Australia from India are being suspended until May 15 as the South Asian nation deals with an escalating coronavirus catastrophe.

The challenges posed by the second wave of COVID-19 in India have reignited tensions between the state and federal government over quarantine.

Australia's market is just short of records, but a WA lockdown and the impact of COVID-19 overseas means there is no certainty those levels will be surpassed.

The federal government has promised $100 million aimed at protecting the ocean and marine life by working on ways for coastal ecosystems to absorb carbon.

There’s likely to be pain ahead as government stimulus packages run out and interest rates rise.