Latest Headlines

The federal government has acknowledged the $1,000 threshold at which GST is collected on goods purchased from abroad is high by international standards, but has rejected calls for an immediate red

A December interest rate cut is looking more likely after official figures showed retail spending remained flat in October.

Woodside Petroleum has struck a $US696 million ($A670 million) agreement confirming its role in a major gas prospect off the coast of Israel.

Australian job advertisements have fallen for an eighth consecutive month, with falls in the mining states reflecting weaker activity in the resources sector.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has upped the pressure on Queensland and Western Australia to get on board the National Disability Insurance Scheme, ahead of Friday's Council of Australian Governments

Western Australia's farmers are the most pessimistic in the nation, as dry conditions hitting this season's grain harvest continue to drive down agricultural confidence.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with gains among mining-related companies among the early highlights in quiet trading conditions.

Australia's manufacturing sector has contracted for the ninth month in a row, with weakness in both production and new orders.

The mining sector's labour productivity is a disaster that will block much future job growth in the industry, says a new report.

US stocks took a jump in the last 15 minutes of trade on Friday to end mostly in the black, with little hard news to direct trade as talks in Washington over a fix to the fiscal cliff continued.

The Australian dollar is lower, on increased expectations of a rate cut from the central bank next week.

Cash Converters has announced a $32.7 million share placement to acquire franchise stores, open new corporate locations and finance its Australian and UK personal loans business.

Focus Minerals shareholders have resoundingly backed a $227.5 million investment in the gold miner by China's Shandong Gold.

Australian stocks climbed today, driven by the major miners on the back of strong commodity prices.

Base Resources has announced a plan to list on London's Alternative Investment Market, in order to tap UK and European interest in its $US298 million Kwale mineral sands project in Kenya.

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has thrown down the challenge to commonwealth and state treasurers to sort out the issue of the mining tax and royalties, and put politics "in the back pocket".

Aquila Resources has disclosed that it has still not reached agreement with its joint venture partner AMCI on a 2012-13 budget for their West Pilbara iron ore joint venture.

The federal government has decided not to allow a fourth commercial free-to-air television network.

Northern Star Resources shares have slumped sharply on the ASX today, after the gold miner announced that its major shareholder and members of its board of directors had agreed to sell a combined 1

Air fares continue to be under pressure in Australia as Qantas fights for a bigger share of the domestic passenger market.

Australian households could get an early Christmas present in the form of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia - but it will be a close call.

Hanlong Mining's proposed takeover of Sundance Resources could be completed by Christmas after turmoil on financial markets forced the Sundance board to curb its price and timetable for the transac

The $51 million Murchison Widefield Array radio-telescope has been launched, boosting the nation's rapidly advancing radio-astronomy capabilities.

Gindalbie Metals has announced it will tap investors for $62 million to insulate it against continuing iron ore market volatility, as it ramps up production at the Karara magnetite project in the M

Western Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has finally begun production at its Malaysian processing plant following a recent court victory.

Agriculture Minister Terry Redman can't shed light on reports a Chinese agricultural giant could buy up to $4 billion worth of prime farmland after snapping up some 30,000 hectares in the past mont

The Australian market has opened higher, led by gains for the mining giants and optimism about the US economy.

Two top businessmen have been honoured by Australia for their contributions to the nation's resources and car industries.

US stocks have closed higher, helped by an expected strong upward revision in the US economic growth estimate for the third quarter.

Horticulture is proving the latest attraction for Chinese investors, with a major Donnybrook vineyard that was at the heart of one of the state's most expensive tax-driven financial disasters becom

The Australian dollar is higher as traders shrugged off a weaker domestic capital expenditure outlook and focused on positive comments about US debt negotiations.

A barge carrying nearly 2,000 tonnes of construction equipment has run aground on the coast near Cervantes, as emergency services frantically respond to storm damage across the state.