A new poll showing the federal Coalition ahead of Labor mirrors trends in other recent voter surveys, despite the government's cost-of-living relief measures.
The ASX200 has risen 0.3 per cent to finish the week up 1.1 per cent, with goldminers posting solid gains after the precious metal hit an all-time high.
The push for gender equality in the mining industry has progressed but more needs to be done to break the bias, the Women in Mining conference was told.
The Australian share market has reclaimed more of its midweek losses, closing higher hours before a make-or-break US jobs report that could determine the path of interest rates for the rest of the year.
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says it's still premature to be thinking about interest rate cuts as she rams home the dangers of high inflation.
The embattled construction union's High Court challenge to its administration has received support from other groups wanting to defend workers' rights.
The ASX200 fell 1.9 per cent to an almost three-week low, with the largest drops being recorded by Western Australian companies including Fortescue and Deep Yellow.
