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The Australian share market has closed at its highest level this month, with gains across the board as optimism rose that the coronavirus lockdowns would soon be over.

WA businesses must prepare a COVID Safety Plan before reopening next week. Some cafés and restaurants as well as community facilities will reopen and non-contact community sports will resume. WA reported zero new coronavirus infections overnight.

Anthony Albanese believes the coronavirus has handed Australia a once-in-a-generation chance to reshape its economy and the nation must seize the opportunity.

Scentre Group says that 57 per cent of retailers at its 37 Westfield malls across Australia are open and trading, with significantly more shops to open over the coming weeks as the coronavirus lockdowns ease.

Western Australia's premier has defended not further relaxing coronavirus restrictions and promised a better deal soon for the state's pubs and restaurants.

Josh Frydenberg's first budget was a triumphant "back in black" performance but his second is predicted to show a $143 billion black hole in the nation's finances.

Investors have lifted share prices by more than 1.0 per cent in early trading on the ASX, with most sectors higher.

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Oil producers will be hoping for a third consecutive week of gains as more countries relax lockdowns intended to halt the coronavirus pandemic.

Investor optimism for a reopened economy has prompted gold to ease from its highest price in nearly two weeks.

Australian shares have finished higher, with retailers buoyant after Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the National Cabinet disclosed a roadmap to reopen the country for business.

The National Cabinet has introduced a three-step framework on easing coronavirus restrictions, with states and territories to decide on their own pace. Premier Mark McGowan on Sunday will announce which coronavirus restrictions will be lifted in Western Australia

Perth Airport has raised the stakes in its ongoing dispute with Qantas, giving the airline until Sunday to either begin negotiating an agreement on its outstanding fees or face expulsion from the airport.

Macquarie Group has halved its dividend after reporting an 8 per cent drop in full year profit, and said challenging market conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic make it hard to predict its fi

Telstra will take a $300 million impairment charge on its 35 per cent stake in Foxtel after the majority owner of the pay TV network, News Corp, wrote down its value.

Australia will get a three-stage plan for easing coronavirus restrictions with states and territories to change gears at different paces.

Australian shares have posted a solid rise in early trading, with energy and property stocks leading the gains.

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Oil prices slipped overnight as global supply and demand worries erased earlier gains seen from an increase in Saudi Arabia's official crude selling price and a surprise rise in Chinese exports last month.

Gold jumped 2 per cent overnight after a string of weak economic data, including surging unemployment in the United States, heightened fears over a coronovirus-induced global downturn, while investors turned their attention to nonfarm payrolls for further cues.

The Australian share market has dipped modestly for a second day as oil prices slid, even as a surging trade surplus bolstered the mining sector.

The state government is providing special assistance for universities and local councils. A new scheme has been announced to help the mining industry. Western Australia has reported no new coronavirus infections.

The proposed merger between Vodafone Australia and TPG Telecom has received the green light from the Foreign Investment Review Board, taking it another step closer to completion.

Activate Perth chair and mayoral hopeful Di Bain has penned an open letter to the state government lobbying it to spend up to $130 million raised through Perth CBD's parking levy as stimulus for the city's commercial tenants.

Western Australian researchers have bred a rare and emerging species of rock oyster, which the state government believes could help grow WA's nascent oyster industry.

Refiner and fuel retailer Caltex Australia is seeing a slump in fuel demand amid widespread social restrictions and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian share market has slipped more than 0.5 per cent in early trade after a weak lead from US markets overnight.

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Oil dropped 4 per cent overnight to below $US30 a barrel as US crude stockpiles ticked up and diesel inventories swelled, offsetting OPEC-led cuts in production and hopes for a recovery in demand as some countries ease coronavirus lockdowns.

Gold fell more than 1 per cent overnight, pressured by a stronger dollar and expectations that gold supplies will grow as bullion refineries resume operations, and on gradual improvement in investor risk appetite as countries have begun to ease coronavirus restrictions.

The Australian share market has snapped its two-day winning streak, falling modestly as its range-bound trading continues for another week.

Perth Airport has hit back at Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce after he claimed the airport had refused to relieve the airline of rent and passenger fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.