AAP

Investors have enjoyed a gain of about 1.5 per cent from the first session of 2021 on the Australian share market, after miners and particularly Fortescue Metals powered indices higher.

The ASX has closed higher following broad-based gains, snapping a three-day losing streak as NSW appeared to be controlling the Sydney coronavirus cluster.

Shares have rallied across almost all sectors of the Australian market as investors responded to three days of coronavirus-related losses.

Most Australians can come together at Christmas after a difficult 2020, but thousands will be in quarantine or stuck overseas.

Shares on the Australian market had a third consecutive loss after investors were troubled by a coronavirus variant and underwhelmed by a US economic stimulus deal.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed South Australians will be able to enter his state without quarantining from Christmas Day.

Australia's competition regulator has rejected an undertaking by Alphabet Inc-owned Google that sought to address competition concerns over its planned $US2.1 billion ($A2.8 billion) acquisition of

Shares in Fortescue jumped 4.9 per cent, and Mineral Resources 4.7 per cent, during an overall steady day on the ASX despite an economic stimulus deal in the US.

Private health insurance premiums will cost 2.74 per cent more a year on average, after the federal government approved an industry push for another increase.

Popular activewear brand Lorna Jane is being taken to court by the consumer watchdog for allegedly falsely claiming its clothes could eliminate COVID-19 and stop it spreading.

Australia's share market had its seventh consecutive week of gains helped by optimism overseas and a recovering local economy but investors will watch a Sydney coronavirus outbreak after it marred

NAB chief executive Ross McEwan expects the Australian economy will be back to pre-COVID levels by the end of next year, but acknowledges some of the bank's customers face a long struggle.

The state government is expected to review its regime for travellers arriving from Sydney today after the coronavirus cluster on Sydney's northern beaches jumped to 28 people.

Shares on the ASX had their best day since late November, as the heavyweight sectors and dollar were boosted by better employment and budget reports.

Rio Tinto's chief financial officer Jakob Stausholm will take over as chief executive after several company leaders resigned following the destruction of sacred Aboriginal caves in the Pilbara

A stronger than expected recovery from the COVID-19 recession has helped to wipe billions of dollars off the federal budget deficit.

There are no guarantees boosted unemployment benefits will be extended beyond March as unemployment figures improve.

Scott Morrison is confident premiers won't rush to close state borders again as NSW authorities race to solve the puzzle created by five new cases of coronavirus.

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.