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Oil prices rose on Thursday to the highest in more than a month, extending gains on growing evidence of disruptions to crude supply from Iran and Venezuela and after a fall in US inventories.

WA dwelling approvals are 9 per cent lower than 12 months ago, although they have improved moderately in the past three months.

The Australian share market closed flat on Thursday, falling back from a new post-GFC intra-day high after a late slump in banking stocks.

Specialist glass company ClearVue Technologies has signed an agreement with Murdoch University to build a $1.6 million greenhouse at its campus.

A strong performance in the United States has underpinned a 150 per cent increase in profit for shipbuilder Austal, although chief executive David Singleton has said the company’s defeat in the offshore patrol vessel bid will mean a tougher future for its Henderson shipyard.

Shares in Karl Simich-led Sandfire Resources have jumped more than 8 per cent today after the company reported a record $123 million profit.

The Barnett government’s ambitious GovNext ICT program was based on flawed assumptions and will not achieve the anticipated savings but still holds potential to deliver significant benefits, a review has found.

Opinion: Riding on a bus in Sydney almost two decades ago, my mother was worried we’d be homeless if the country went into a recession, as many were suggesting could happen after the Howard government introduced the GST.

Geoff Ward has been appointed as chief executive of local tech company Hazer Group, while Michael Minosora is set to chair junior explorer Golden Deeps.

A joint venture between CIMIC Group's Ventia and international outfit Tyco has been awarded a $230 million Main Roads contract for electrical infrastructure maintenance across the state for up to seven years.

Opinion: A giant US retailer has embraced online sales and boosted its profit.

The chief executive of a West Australian shire acted corruptly when he ensured his partner became the strategic planning manager and increased her salary by $24,000 over four years, a report has revealed.

Northern Star Resources has announced the acquisition of a gold mine in Alaska for $US260 million ($347 million) from Japanese group Sumitomo, along with a $175 million share placement to fund the purchase.

Vodafone Australia and TPG Telecom have agreed to merge into a single $15 billion telecommunications firm in an effort to more effectively challenge telecoms giants Telstra and Optus.

Australian shares have opened higher on the back of gains in healthcare, telecoms and materials shares, and in line with a rise on Wall Street overnight.

Rates on the rise: Westpac takes first shot with interest hike

US stocks have extended their rally with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting record highs for the fourth straight session as technology companies pushed indexes higher and promising trade negotiations stoked investor sentiment.

Oil prices have risen more than one per cent, with Brent at its highest in seven weeks and US crude touching a three-week peak, supported by a drawdown in US crude and petrol stocks and reduced Iranian crude shipments as US sanctions deter buyers.

Rising bank stocks drove a late surge on the ASX on Wednesday after Westpac announced a hike in mortgage rates, adding to earlier gains from easing global trade tensions.

Attorney-General Christian Porter has ruled out running for the seat of Curtin if Julie Bishop decides to quit, saying the marginal seat of Pearce is his community.

GR Engineering Services has been awarded a $23.9 million contract to build a backfill plant at the Fosterville gold mine in Victoria.

An accountant who pocketed almost $1.8 million after lodging more than 100 fraudulent income tax returns has failed in a bid to have his eight-year sentence reduced.

Eastern Goldfields' executive chairman and largest shareholder Michael Fotios has resigned from the embattled gold miner, while US investor Hawke’s Point Holdings looks set to increase its stake in the company after agreeing to buy some of its debt and support a planned recapitalisation.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has promised Western Australia a legislated floor in GST payments, saying Labor is on a unity ticket with the Coalition to deliver a fairer carve-up.

Diversified miner Independence Group has reported a big jump in profit for the 2018 financial year, driven by the first 12 months of commercial production at its Nova operation.

Neil Warburton-led Coolgardie Minerals is set to list on the ASX tomorrow, while shares in Black Dragon Gold began trading today following a $6 million initial public offering.

Every sales presentation is different, and must be adapted to meet the customer’s needs.

Anglicare and UnitingCare West are among eight not-for-profit groups to have secured financial backing from Community Sector Banking, which has distributed $300,000 through its 2018 national grants pool.

Virgin Australia has reported a full-year loss of $681 million after impairments and tax adjustments, its sixth consecutive year of losses, but the airline is optimistic about delivering a statutory profit in the next half.

Bankwest has launched an in-app messaging service that allows its customers to have their questions and queries answered securely, quickly and easily.

Dining accolades, tourism successes, exploratory wines and a new venture in the pipeline – it’s a big year for Voyager Estate, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Australian shares have opened largely unchanged, with losses in healthcare and energy capping gains, despite a small rise on Wall Street overnight.