AAP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has struck an agreement with major east coast gas exporters to guarantee domestic supply at competitive prices.

Scott Morrison has hit back at Labor's accusation he damaged Australia's alliance with the United States through being too close to Donald Trump.

Investors have enjoyed gains of 0.41 per cent after the ASX closed higher, helped by market giant BHP raising iron ore production targets and US stimulus expectations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has lamented the difficulty in attracting local workers to address critical labour shortages on farms.

An injury-ravaged India have ended Australia's 32-year undefeated run at the Gabba with a record-breaking final day chase to win the Test by three wickets and the series 2-1.

Western Australia's government has promised better transparency after it was not disclosed that several recovered COVID-19 cases were linked to the highly contagious British strain.

Investors have enjoyed a broad-based rally on the Australian share market, as they hope for more US stimulus after Joe Biden is sworn in as US president on Thursday.

Australia's peak social services group is again urging the federal government to raise the long-term rate of JobSeeker, with the payment set to drop back to $40 a day in April.

Australians on unemployment support are expected to again receive $40 a day from April when the coronavirus supplement ends.

Investors have had their biggest loss in a week on the Australian share market and will be hoping US president-elect Joe Biden's stimulus plan is passed after he takes office this week.

The head of Australia's health department believes it is unlikely international borders will substantially reopen this year, even if most people are vaccinated against coronavirus.

Two retail groups which own the Supercheap Auto and JB Hi-Fi stores have reported bumper first-half earnings during the pandemic.

Josh Frydenberg says economic indicators are all pointing in one direction and to an Australian economy that is bouncing back strongly.

Western Australia is close to easing border restrictions for Victoria after the state extended its streak of no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases.

Investors spent the week waiting for US President-elect Joe Biden's economic stimulus plan details but failed to get a boost after it was revealed.

US President-elect Joe Biden has unveiled a $US1.9 trillion spending package to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy.

Josh Frydenberg is confident the economy will continue to strengthen and that the unemployment rate will fall further.

Investors have had their best gains of the week on the Australian share market, ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden giving details of his economic stimulus plan.

Rio Tinto has prolonged the operation of New Zealand's only aluminium smelter after signing a power contract the miner says will help its viability.

The US House has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time following the violent siege at the US Capitol last week by a mob of his supporters.

A mid-session turnaround has helped the ASX close slightly higher, while Premier Investments' substantial earnings guidance upgrade gave cause for optimism.

Australia's recovery from recession is putting many businesses in a better position to pay their bills and hire more staff.

Unions will launch High Court action against Qantas over allegations the airline manipulated rosters to pocket some of its wage subsidy payments.

Australia's share market has closed a little lower, with the contrasting fortunes of bank and property stocks showing the consequences of investor's expectations of inflation.

Australians stranded overseas have been dealt another blow, with passenger numbers halved on three repatriation flights because of new caps on international arrivals.

ASX trade has started the week with a loss of 0.9 per cent, as the US dollar improved from expectations of more economic stimulus and inflation there.

WA's retail spending was up by more than 16 per cent in the year to November 2020, outperforming all other states.

A re-elected West Australian Labor government would triple welfare payments for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has been taken to hospital, "badly shaken but ok" after a serious car crash in Sydney.

ASX traders' first week of 2021 produced the best gains in eight weeks, but the coronavirus threat remains after a more infectious strain entered Australia.

Fruit and vegetable crop losses across the country as a result of labour shortages continued to mount over the festive season and now top $38 million.

Pre-flight testing of returning Australians will be introduced to help prevent the spread of the more transmissible variant of COVID-19 identified in the United Kingdom.