News

The state government has said it will allow public and private hospitals to increase elective surgeries to 50 per cent of normal activity as of Monday, following new guidelines set today by the national cabinet.

The whipsaw action on the Australian share market has continued for a fifth straight day of back-and-forth action.

Virgin Australia is expected to receive as many as eight non-binding indicative offers from potential buyers, which will be whittled down over the next few days to a shortlist of around three, its administrators said.

Premier Mark McGowan has announced details on the COVID Safety Plan businesses need to complete before reopening next week. The federal government has announced a $48.1 million mental health support package.

Architects are hoping the government will consider a series of targeted initiatives to stimulate the economy as attention shifts to COVID-19 recovery plans.

Perth Airport has resolved its recent dispute with Qantas over unpaid fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, following weeks of acrimonious brinkmanship with the nation’s flag carrier.

Shares on the Australian market were up by about one per cent in early trade and most industry sectors were higher.

Beijing options limited to Australian iron ore

Oil prices settled higher overnight after the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast lower global stockpiles in the second half of 2020, although worries remain that a second surge in coronavirus infections could occur in coming months.

Gold climbed to a three-week high overnight, propelled by safe-haven demand, as investors ditched riskier assets on concerns over long-drawn economic weakness and renewed US-China trade tensions.

The volatile Australian share market has plunged 1.7 per cent, repeating a familiar pattern as it trades in a fairly tight range.

All school students in Western Australia are required to return to the classroom on Monday, with some exceptions. The state reported one new coronavirus infection overnight. There were 13 new COVID-19 cases reported nationally.

Virgin Australia's administrators at Deloitte will have a better sense of which parties are interested in buying the beleaguered airline, when non-binding indicative offers are made tomorrow.

NBN Co says it has connected 670,000 premises in the March quarter, with 11.2 million homes and businesses connected to the broadband network by March 31.

Graincorp has swung to a half-year profit of $388 million following the sale of its Australian Bulk Liquid Terminals business and demerger of United Malt.

Share market investors have seen a dip on the ASX in early trading, with nearly all industry sectors lower.

Public servants may stay home

Oil prices fell about 2 per cent overnight despite the first decline in US crude inventories since January, as the US Federal Reserve chairman stoked demand fears with a warning the economy would take many months to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Gold rose overnight after US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell pledged more stimulus measures, if required, to ease the economic blow from the novel coronavirus.

The Australian share market has swung from a 102-point loss to finish in the green with a 19 point gain.

No new cases recorded in Western Australia overnight, Prime Minister Scott Morrison calls for investigation into COVID-19-linked disease, and The Department of Health announces drive-through vaccination clinic for over-65s.

Osborne Park-based edtech company Schrole Group has successfully raised $5 million through a share placement and convertible notes ossie, with US-based Faria Education Group set to acquire a 20 per

The state government has announced millions of dollars in grants for Western Australia’s tourism businesses, ahead of a staged reopening of the state’s regions and businesses in the coming weeks.

Commonwealth Bank is setting aside $1.5 billion for potential defaults on account of COVID-19-related shutdowns and will sell a majority stake in its Colonial First State wealth management unit, as it braces for an economic slowdown and falls in house prices.

Shares have slumped by 1.7 per cent in early trade on the Australian market after the top US infectious disease expert warned of re-opening the economy too soon.

Shares have slumped by 1.7 per cent in early trade on the Australian market after the top US infectious disease expert warned of re-opening the economy too soon.

China asked to explain beef curbs

Oil prices rose overnight after OPEC's de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, said it would increase supply curbs in June, while other members of the oil-producing group said they want to extend the deep cuts reached in April for a longer period than originally agreed.

Gold rose overnight on expectations of more stimulus from the US Federal Reserve to support an economy battered by coronavirus-induced restrictions, while an easing US dollar lent further support.

The Australian share market has given up most of Monday's gains, with all but two sectors falling amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus cases spreading in Europe and Asia.

Western Australia has reported one new coronavirus infection overnight. More than 200 people quarantining on Rottnest Island will return to the mainland tomorrow. Premier Mark McGowan says the state will keep Rottnest as a quarantine facility for now.

Premier Investments is reopening the remainder of its closed stores in Australia and New Zealand this week - but some may not stay open for long.