Gold prices have risen after US Senate leaders unveiled a deal to fund the federal government and raise the debt ceiling, prompting cautious optimism among investors.
An 11th-hour deal to end the US government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling has sparked a strong rally on Wall Street, with gains of nearly 1.4 percent.
The Australian dollar has leapt a quarter of a US cent higher after US Senate leaders reached a last-minute deal that temporarily extends the debt ceiling and will reopen the government.
WA MP Don Randall insists he was entitled to claim expenses including more than $5,000 for a trip to Cairns on "electorate business" and a refund for a children's cookbook.
The state government has introduced legislation to merge Synergy and Verve Energy, but is yet to release regulations that will specify how existing contracts between the government entities and the private sector will be protected.
West Perth-based junior Avanco Resources has completed an $18.1 million share placement as it looks to fast-track development of its Pedra Branca copper project in Brazil.
Alumina producer Alcoa of Australia has revealed it's cutting dozens of jobs from its local operations and pushing all of its contractors to slash their rates by 12 per cent.
Vanadium producer Atlantic has secured a further $11.75 million in unsecured funding from its biggest shareholder, Droxford International, the latest in a series of cash injections to sustain its working capital.
The share market recovered from opening losses to close slightly higher on cautious optimism US politicians will agree on a temporary deal to raise its debt ceiling.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is planning to fundamentally change the way federal and state governments interact, including a shake-up of the Council of Australian Government meetings, according to WA Premier Colin Barnett.
The economic green shoots that boosted Iluka Resources' hopes of a recovering mineral sands market earlier this year have shrivelled, with the miner recording weaker quarterly revenue.
Tourists to Western Australia spent more than $7 billion there last year, despite the continuing economic struggle in Europe reducing the number of visitors from the UK.
Perth based stockbroking firm Patersons Securities is punting on investors’ emerging appetite for biotech stocks, agreeing to underwrite New Zealand biopharmaceutical company Innate Immunotherapeutics’s $16.5 million initial public offering.
The possible privatisation of Higher Education Contribution Scheme debt could see Australia become like the United States, where degrees are unaffordable for many, the National Union of Students says.
Australia's economy has suffered a significant loss of momentum since the start of the year as its transition away from being a mining investment gets bumpy.
Australian stocks started the local session lower as the deadline for the US to raise its debt ceiling or face the possibility of default draws closer.
Australian bond futures prices are higher as traders move into safe-haven assets due to the slow progress in negotiations to raise the US government's borrowing limit.
Humphrey Hale has stepped down as managing director at Wolf Minerals Limited, while former Grange Resources managing director Russell Clark will take over the position effective today.
US stock markets have closed deep in the red as politicians in Washington remained deadlocked over a deal to reopen the government and avoid default on its debts.
