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Australia faces an avalanche of insolvencies if small businesses simply defer rent, utilities and financing obligations and hibernate due to the impacts of COVID-19, with federal government stimulus packages announced to date not robust enough to save thousands of SMEs across the country.

Retail spending increased more sharply than expected in February thanks to a surge in spending on basic necessities in supermarkets and department stores.

An overnight oil price surge has fuelled a strong open for the Australian sharemarket, with big energy stocks climbing by as much as 18 per cent.

Power’s plan to reboot nation’s manufacturing

Crude prices posted their biggest-one day gains on record after President Donald Trump said he expects Russia and Saudi Arabia to announce a major oil production cut, and Saudi state media said the kingdom was calling an emergency meeting of producers to deal with the market turmoil.

One of Western Australia’s biggest residential property managers has called for more clarity around how tenants impacted by COVID-19 renegotiate rental agreements and how landlords can continue to service debt under the federal government’s moratorium on evictions.

There are already some early signs of very clear winners and losers from the COVID-19 crisis, no matter how much we want to believe we are all in this together.

The City of Armadale has been hit with one of the largest fines imposed for a workplace safety breach in Western Australia, after state government agency WorkSafe appealed the penalty initially imposed over a 2014 incident.

Perth startup KeepSpace has found its e-commerce packaging services in demand as government restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 cause retail stores and hospitality venues to close.

WA's borders will officially close to the eastern states at midnight on Sunday. Confirmed COVID-19 cases have grown by eight in WA and 244 nationally. The federal government has announced a childcare service support program.

The Australian share market has dropped again amid increasingly dire warnings about how bad the coronavirus crisis could get in the United States.

Surveying firm Veris has made a number of changes to its board, including Adam Lamond stepping out as managing director, as it deals with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

In an initiative led by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA, the Western Australian resources sector has pledged $6.6 million to Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations, Foodbank WA and Lifeline WA.

More Perth eateries are set to shut their doors in response to a weakened retail environment, particularly in shopping centres, while blinds retailer Kresta has announced it will close all of its showrooms across the country.

Overcoming short-term challenges about how we do our jobs can lead to substantial shifts in workplace culture.

Two long-standing disability services chief executives share how they have dealt with upheaval and disruption in the sector.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has further bolstered its coronavirus support for home loan and credit card customers.

Westpac has permanently appointed Peter King as chief executive on a $2.4 million salary with incentives.

The Australian share market has lurched back into the red after US stocks were hammered overnight on warnings of a mounting coronavirus death toll.

Virgin could be allowed to crash for new airline

Oil prices have fallen after US crude inventories rose last week by the most since 2016, while gasoline demand suffered its biggest weekly drop ever due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gold prices firmed as investors sought safe-haven assets after sombre US economic data exacerbated fears of an economic downturn amid increasing lockdowns and other restrictions globally to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Bentley-based manufacturer Epichem will be pumping out a new supply of hand sanitiser to cover a shortfall in the local healthcare industry.

Mining services company Mader Group has taken the decision to withdraw all personnel from its overseas operations, with the US the only exception.

I was involved in a private discussion group today where the question was asked whether we would experience a V-shaped or U-shaped recovery.

The Kerry Stokes-backed BCI Minerals has agreed to co-fund further development of the Iron Valley mine in the Pilbara, as part of a package of deals that will see Mineral Resources buy its Buckland

Health Minister Roger Cook said testing criteria for COVID-19 would expand as of tomorrow, 28 new cases in WA overnight; Premier Mark McGowan aired his grievances with the Artania cruise ship, and Andrew Forrest pledged $160 million towards procuring medical supplies and increasing testing in WA.

Simon Stead has been elected chair of CBH Group, replacing longstanding director Wally Newman, who is stepping down from the board immediately.

The Australian share market has rallied as coronavirus-fuelled volatility continues, even as the Reserve Bank released minutes showing members were worried about the likelihood of a recession.

The operator of Metropolis Fremantle says the nightclub faces a difficult rebound from COVID-19 if and when it can begin operating again, with a stalled rent negotiation a demonstration of the uncertainty building over commercial property leases.

The value of Perth’s houses increased 0.5 per cent in the month of March, strengthening the recovery underway for the past six months, but the onset of COVID-19 means the recent gains are unlikely to continue.

Online travel agency Webjet will raise $275 million and retailer Kathmandu Holdings will raise $201 million, to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.