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Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews has rejected a public plea from the not-for-profit sector to back down on plans to axe the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.

Western Australian farmers are disappointed after being told the roll-out of a much-needed federal drought package will be delayed for several months.

Arafura Resources says it has found $500 million in capital expenditure savings at its Nolans rare earths project in the Northern Territory and is working towards trimming costs even further.

The share market has fallen more than one per cent on the prospect of higher interest rates in the United States.

Shares in West Perth-based explorer Red Mountain Mining are trading higher after the company released a scoping study confirming low capital costs at its Batangas gold project in the Philippines.

Perth-based Atrum Coal has announced it will spin-out its coal exploration assets, with plans to launch an initial public offering for a new company on the ASX later this year.

The Abbott government has failed in its first bid to scrap the carbon tax, with the Senate refusing to pass a package of bills to repeal the Gillard-era climate change policy.

Phoenix Gold has announced plans to raise up to $18.2 million through a share placement and entitlement offer to fund staged development at its Castle Hill mine near Kalgoorlie.

High debt levels and rising interest rates are an unpleasant combination, but everyone with an interest in the retail, property and share markets would be wise to see that one factor has arrived and the other one is on its way, potentially producing a pincer-squeeze on spending and growth.

Myer shares have fallen by almost five per cent after a slide in the retailer's half year profit.

The share market has opened lower after the US Federal Reserve flagged the possibility of an interest rate hike in 2015.

Australia will resume exporting sheep and cattle to Egypt after the government struck a deal with Egyptian importers to ensure animal welfare standards.

Gold futures have extended their losses after the Federal Reserve announced another reduction in bond purchases and delivered a more positive view of the US economy than some expected.

The federal upper house needs more Senators prepared to act in the interests of the federation.

US stocks have dropped after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen offered a rough timetable for when the central bank could raise benchmark interest rates.

The Australian dollar has regained some ground after falling more than one US cent following the Federal Reserve's announcement it would keep winding back its bond-buying program, designed to stimulate the US economy.

Chinese steelmaker Ansteel has taken majority ownership of the Karara iron ore project, lifting its stake above that of Gindalbie Metals after converting shareholder loans to new equity in Karara Mining.

Stockbroking firm Hartleys has been fined by the corporate watchdog over an inadvertent trading error in 2012 which resulted in a plunge in Tanami Gold's share price.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority has placed two development sites adjacent to the Midland Railway Workshops and Woodbridge Lakes Estate on the market.

The share market has edged higher as investors wait to see how quickly the United States will continue to wind back its economic stimulus measures.

Tony Abbott's embattled assistant treasurer Arthur Sinodinos has stood aside after being dragged into a corruption inquiry, with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann assuming his responsibilities.

Boutique developer and funds manager Match Group has made a foray into Asia in an effort to capitalise on increasing offshore interest in Western Australian property assets.

David Jones boss Paul Zahra says Myer's $3 billion merger proposal doesn't make sense for his company in its current form.

Australians need to have a positive discussion on how we are going to meet our future healthcare needs.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has secured another two contracts with mining giant Rio Tinto, taking the total value of work it has secured at Rio projects this year to $100 million.

Wolf Minerals has arranged final funding for construction of its Hemerdon tungsten and tin project in England after agreeing to a discounted share placement.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has lit his "bonfire of regulations", promising there will be many more repeal days to come.

The sharemarket is flat in early trade as investors ignore positive offshore leads.

It's looking more likely that the Australian economy will grow at a sluggish pace in 2014.

US stocks have barrelled higher despite Russia's move to absorb Crimea following a controversial weekend vote by the region to secede from Ukraine.

US oil prices have surged on news of a key pipeline expansion that will help to draw down bulging crude supplies at the Cushing depot.

The Australian dollar has risen to a three-month high, helped by easing tensions between Russia and the West and a stable local interest rate outlook.