Latest Headlines

Labor MP Tim Hammond has announced his resignation from federal parliament due to the job's toll on his family, with Labor's state secretary Patrick Gorman tipped to be the party's candidate at the upcoming by-election in the seat of Perth.

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in almost a year after metals prices lost ground overnight.

Oil prices slid more than one per cent on Tuesday as the US dollar remained near a four-month high, but worries that US President Donald Trump will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal underpinned the market.

Gold slid to a four-month low on Tuesday as the dollar strengthened ahead of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting that is being watched for clues on the future pace of interest rate hikes.

US extends tariff exemptions

A surge in support for the banks - despite a highly critical regulator's report on failings at the nation's biggest lender - has led the Australian share market to close above 6,000 points for the first time since February.

Peter Bilbe-led Adriatic Metals began trading on the ASX today, after the company raised $10 million via an initial public offering to fund exploration work at its Veovaca and Rupice projects in Europe.

Applecross-based Mineral Resources is looking to sell a 49 per cent stake in its Wodgina lithium project, as work to investigate the feasibility of a lithium hydroxide or carbonate processing plant at the site continues.

The banking royal commission's exposure of shady practices will no doubt lead to calls for change, but perfect solutions are hard to find.

The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent, with RBA governor Philip Lowe continuing to worry about weak household spending and sluggish wages growth.

The export company embroiled in a live trade furore, sparked by footage of animals dying on a voyage to the Middle East, has resumed shipments.

The export company embroiled in a live trade furore, sparked by footage of animals dying on a voyage to the Middle East, has resumed shipments.

Former Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese is facing fresh allegations related to the mining giant's disclosures about its disastrous $US4 billion African coal investment.

Two Perth-based contractors have secured new work, with Decmil Group locking in a $NZ24.3 million ($22.7 million) contract for two schools in New Zealand, while NRW Holdings will undertake work for Rio Tinto in the Pilbara.

Having shown recent signs of improvement, Perth house prices were steady in April, while the national market continued its downward trend, according to the latest data from CoreLogic.

ANZ has reported a 16 per cent fall in first-half cash profit to $2.88 billion as it continues to cast off units and refocus on its domestic business.

Iron ore miner Rio Tinto is following its big investment in driverless trucks and trains by announcing plans to nearly double its fleet of autonomous drilling rigs.

Two shopping centres in Perth's north have been included in a $28 million solar power project being undertaken by ASX-listed Vicinity Centres, which is forecasting the creation of about 40 local jobs.

Commonwealth Bank will have to hold an extra $1 billion in minimum capital after the banking regulator said large profits had blinded the lender to threats such as the money-laundering scandal that ended the tenure of its CEO.

The Australian share market is modestly higher as gains by the energy sector offsets modest falls across the healthcare and the retail sectors.

Five years after unveiling its vision for high-rise apartments at Belmont Park Racecourse, Golden Group will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the site today.

Oil prices rose on Monday, bouncing off early losses after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had proof that "Iran lied" about its nuclear capabilities, and that he was sure US President Donald Trump would do "the right thing" in reviewing the country's nuclear deal with western powers.

Wall Street has fallen as healthcare stocks slid and investors worried about rising costs for companies as oil prices rose, although the major indexes eked out a gain in April to snap a two-month losing streak.

Gold prices fell to the lowest in nearly six weeks on Monday as the US dollar strengthened and easing tensions on the Korean peninsula helped boost appetite for higher risk assets such as stocks.

Wesfarmers faces exec shake-up

More than $12 billion of mining projects are in the pipeline for WA and likely to proceed, with major iron ore developments the biggest contributor.

Few projects are more meaningful for WA's economic direction than the Greenbushes lithium mine expansion and the new lithium refinery in Kwinana.

Eight mineral sands projects are either under construction or consideration as the sector finally enjoys some pricing relief.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level in six weeks, wrapping up April with a run of gains that has added 230 points to the benchmark index since March.

Shares in Gage Roads Brewing Company have jumped today after the company posted impressive quarterly results, driven by strong sales at Optus Stadium.

Wesfarmers has announced two leadership changes today, with Officeworks chief executive Mark Ward set to step down at the end of the year, while former New Zealand prime minister Bill English has been appointed to the board of the Perth-based conglomerate.

Gold miner Northern Star Resources has posted a steady quarterly result, with the company confident it will hit its 2018 output target of 600,000 ounces per annum.