AAP

The minister responsible for the nation's aged care system insists a $1 billion funding boost will help older Australians get help at home earlier, but critics say it's nowhere near enough.

Investors on the ASX have enjoyed a broad-based rally, helped by miners, following optimism in the US that economic stimulus may finally be delivered.

Australia will take China to the global trade umpire over massive tariffs on barley, further escalating the bitter row between the two nations.

Beijing has accused Canberra of playing the victim in an increasingly bitter trade dispute while justifying a Chinese ban on Australian coal.

Miners have pulled the ASX lower following China's ban on Australian coal, as the industry hopes iron ore avoids a similar fate.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) officials have started court action against Retail Food Group and allege it kept important details from franchisees when it sold 42 loss-making

China's industrial output grew in line with expectations in November, expanding for the eighth straight month as the economic recovery gathered pace and global demand picked up.

Scott Morrison is demanding clarity on reports China has banned Australian coal.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is expected to hand down a modestly improved budget position when his mid-year review is released later this week.

A national coronavirus vaccine rollout is anticipated for early next year.

Investors have helped deliver gains to Australia's share market, along with most Asian markets, and may be looking to a rosier future since the US approved a coronavirus vaccine.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt has ruled out slapping tariffs on Australian iron ore exports to China as a trade war worsens by the day.

ASX investors had a sixth consecutive week of gains, but the benefit was minor, as an analyst wondered whether bank shares had become too expensive.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia will tighten rules for diplomats and air crews arriving in the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

Palmer claims Premier had ‘attack plan’

Some Australians face a prolonged period of unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Reserve Bank of Australia analysis has warned.

A run of seven consecutive sessions of gains came to an end for the ASX as all industry sectors finished lower after a poor US lead.

South Australians travelling to WA will be required to quarantine until at least Christmas Day with the state's premier refusing to budge on coronavirus rules.

Australia's share market delivered gains for the seventh consecutive session but an investment strategist did not think the `Santa Claus rally' investors crave will eventuate.

Labor and unions have thrown down the gauntlet for an industrial relations showdown with the federal government over changes to enterprise bargaining.

Budget clothing retailer Best & Less Group has claimed sales growth of 13.5 per cent for its full-year as its owners investigate expanding and listing on the Australian share market.

The powerful construction and maritime union could soon split from its manufacturing, mining and energy divisions under draft laws set to sail through federal parliament.

Google and Facebook face $10 million fines if they don't follow the rules of Australia's proposed media code to ensure they pay for news.

Australia is extending a ban on cruise ships by another three months, concerned the risk of coronavirus is still too high.

Investors in the Australian share market have notched a sixth consecutive session of gains, albeit not by much, after mixed leads from the US.

Facebook and Google will be forced to negotiate with major Australian media organisations on how much they pay for news content on their platforms.

Australia's farm production is tipped to hit $65 billion on the back of a bumper harvest while exports are expected to fall amid ongoing trade tensions with China.

The list of Australians stranded overseas has continued to grow, with 39,000 people now keen to return as coronavirus bites across swathes of the globe.

Iron ore miners have powered the Australian share market higher, however strong Chinese demand for the commodity could still hit a snag according to an analyst.

Wage theft will be made a federal criminal offence with beefed up civil penalties to crack down on bosses who underpay workers.

IGA supermarkets owner Metcash has turned around its fortunes to report a $125.1 million first-half profit on the back of a coronavirus shopping boom.

Newly elevated opposition leader Zak Kirkup has announced a promise to deliver payroll tax relief to up to 5,500 small businesses if elected.