AAP

Australia's share market closed marginally lower while the Australian dollar reached its highest level in almost three years, spurred by metal prices.

Steelmaker BlueScope has reported a 78 per cent increase in its half year profit, while announcing a chief executive for climate change within the group.

Premier Mark McGowan has likened the coronavirus pandemic to World War II, positioning Labor as the safe choice at next month's election.

Property developer Lendlease has posted a first-half earnings decline of 37 per cent after COVID-19 stifled interest in building development.

Online giants including Facebook and Google have released a new voluntary code for dealing with disinformation and political advertising.

A former Liberal staffer who says she was sexually assaulted by a male colleague inside Parliament House will proceed with a formal complaint to police.

Australia's share market had its biggest fall in more than three weeks, set in train from the US where worries continued over a struggling economy and inflation expectations.

Relatively high confidence among shoppers and the continued drop in the unemployment rate saw modest retail spending growth in the first few weeks of 2021.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has raised hopes international borders could reopen once coronavirus vaccinations have been widely delivered.

Insurer QBE has elected not to declare a final dividend, recording a statutory net loss after tax of $US1.5 billion ($A1.93 billion) following last year's $US550 million profit.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg remains determined to convince Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to accept the Australian government's media bargaining code.

Biotech giant CSL says it has accelerated the manufacture of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine with the first doses planned for release in late March.

Australia's share market closed little changed, but could have been lower if not for giants CSL and Fortescue giving good earnings reports and steadying the indices.

At least 5,000 Western Australians should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by mid-March with hotel quarantine workers to be among the first recipients.

Crown Resorts shareholders have had more bad news after the casino operator revealed a first-half loss of $120 million from coronavirus restrictions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is sorry a former Liberal staffer feels he has been victim-blaming in response to her allegations of being raped at Parliament House.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has lashed Facebook for its heavy-handed censorship of Australian news and information.

Australia's share market has closed lower, while two retail leaders warned pandemic sales may have peaked ahead of government assistance being wound back and travel restrictions easing.

New figures show Australia looks set for solid economic growth in coming months, with unemployment falling further as jobs vacancies surged to an 18-month high.

Reduced public transport use, international travel bans and flexible work arrangements have combined to lift underlying earnings growth at Carsales.com and prompt an increased dividend payout.

Super Retail Group, which owns BCF and Supercheap Auto, has reported a first-half profit increase of 201 per cent as Australians looked for leisure alternatives to travel during the pandemic.

Westpac claimed first-quarter cash earnings were up 54 per cent and boss Peter King says there had been a significant increase in home loan applications.

Coles enjoyed soaring sales during the second half of last year, buoyed in part by customers being forced to stay at home during Christmas.

Facebook is expected to follow Google in striking lucrative lump sum deals with Australian media companies to avoid being stung under world-first laws.

The federal government's attempt to invest taxpayer money in new gas projects faces stiff opposition in parliament.

Australia's securities regulator says it will seek penalties and other orders against Commonwealth Bank after the Federal Court found the country's top lender had overcharged interest to customers.

Australia's share market closed above 6900 points for the first time since February last year, and an analyst expects it will rally in the short term as coronavirus vaccines are distributed.

Australia's media code will be tweaked to make it clear tech giants are expected to pay news organisations a lump sump rather than for every time an internet user clicks on a link.

National Australia Bank enjoyed a 47 per cent increase in cash earnings during its first quarter trading, helped by improving economic and health outcomes in Australia and New Zealand.

Home furnishings group Adairs has had a bumper first half and customers will see fewer discounts as the company tries to maintain sizeable profit margins.

Employment has recovered to where it was a year ago, continuing a marked rebound from last year's recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coca-Cola's European bottling arm has sweetened its final takeover offer for Australian counterpart Coca-Cola Amatil by 75 cents per share.