After commuting thousands, if not millions of kilometres from his home in Perth to Canberra since 2007, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is calling it a day.
Indigenous leaders and governments are close to reaching a deal on new targets to improve the health, education and job prospects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Oil futures gained more than 2 per cent overnight, supported by a drop in US unemployment and a drawdown in crude inventories, but a resurgence in US coronavirus infections fanned concerns that economic activity will weaken in coming weeks.
Gold reversed course and edged higher overnight as the US dollar eased, though the metal traded below an eight-year peak hit in the last session as prospects for economic recovery improved after data showed the US economy created record jobs in June.
The Australian stock market has hit its highest level since June 11, with gains across the board as Afterpay continued its stunning run by soaring 9.5 per cent to a new all-time high.
Shares in SRG Global closed up nearly 30 per cent today after the company forecast strong 2021 financials and brought forward its previously-deferred interim dividend.
Shares in Kathmandu have jumped after the outdoor wear retailer outlined a strong recovery in sales since reopening stores in May after coronavirus restrictions were eased in Australia and New Zealand.
Qantas retail shareholders are being offered a 2.5 per cent discount in a share purchase plan that will raise $500 million to help the airline navigate the virus crisis.
Oil prices rose more than 1 per cent overnight following a drawdown in US crude inventories from record highs and a string of positive manufacturing data, but a surge in coronavirus cases tempered gains.
Gold dropped from a near eight-year high overnight as equities gained on the back of encouraging US manufacturing data and rising hopes for a potential COVID-19 vaccine.
Oil prices slipped overnight as investors worried that rising COVID-19 cases would hurt demand while supply could rise with a potential resurgence of Libyan oil production, which has slowed to a trickle since the start of the year.
Gold surged to its highest in nearly 8 years overnight as mounting fears of a resurgence of new coronavirus cases kept safe-haven demand for gold alive, setting the precious metal on path for its biggest quarterly gain since March 2016.
Australian shares have closed out the financial year with a rally following a strong lead from Wall Street overnight, as the see-saw action continues for the fourth day.
Shoppers seem to be flocking back to stores, with the owner of Westfield centres in Australia saying customer visits are at 86 per cent of the level at the same time a year ago.
Oil prices rose about $US1 a barrel on Monday, after bullish data from Asia and Europe, but investors are wary about sharp spikes in new coronavirus infections around the world.
Gold prices were little changed overnight, but held close to a near eight-year peak scaled last week, as the accelerating spread of the coronavirus threatened to derail hopes of an economic recovery.
Business News is launching a more personalised, user-friendly website, has redesigned its daily emails, and strengthened its editorial team with an experienced hire, in a bid to triple subscriptions sales.
Regional Express said its board had approved plans to raise at least $30 million to launch services that would compete against Qantas and Virgin Australia.
