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The underpayment of staff highlights the complexities of Australian labour laws.

Telstra has frozen its job cutting program for six months, suspended late payment fees and disconnections, and has invited stood-down Qantas employees to apply for 1,000 temporary jobs to help virus-proof the economy.

Big banks have led an almost three per cent surge in Australian shares after an overnight buying spree on US and European markets .

Chamber boss stares down virus with bold claim

Gold prices slipped more than 1 per cent on Thursday as the dollar jumped to multi-year highs, with the coronavirus pandemic threatening to cripple economic activity and prompting investors to sell assets to keep their money in cash.

BHP will start paying invoices from small business suppliers after just seven days and has created a $6 million fund to support labour hire companies affected by COVID-19.

The performing arts sector is coming up with new ways to ensure people are entertained, in light of government restrictions on indoor events attended by 100 people or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roger Cook confirms community transmission in WA. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has imposed a travel ban on all non-residents. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia has reached 514.

Large portions of Bayswater and Forrestfield have been defined as Metronet precincts, with state government agency DevelopmentWA to guide future development in the areas.

The Australian stock market has shrugged off an emergency rate cut from the Reserve Bank, hitting a fresh four-year low in the process, while the Australian dollar has sunk to an 18-year low.

Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison has struck a deal with his brother Andrew Ellison’s company to sell two of its non-core manganese assets while also providing project funding and mining services assistance.

Robotic bricklaying company FBR has slashed its workforce, saving $10 million per year, and postponed the construction of its first display home, which was due to commence in a matter of days.

Two new facilities to support lending worth a combined $105 billion are key elements of the Reserve Bank and federal government’s plans to support the economy in response to COVID-19, while the RBA cut rates to 0.25 per cent and promised an unprecedented target on government bond yields.

Zenith Energy will increase the capacity of a power station at one of Toronto-based Superior Gold’s operations in Western Australia after receiving a 52-month contract extension.

Support for businesses to hold on to workers should be prioritised over cash handouts for households, according to Deutsche Bank, which forecasts Australia’s economy will fare better than most with a contraction of only 0.1 per cent in 2020.

Wesfarmers has undergone a restructure of its industrial division, with David Baxby to step down as managing director.

A dedicated call centre has been established for Western Australian public healthcare workers to manage coronavirus screening and testing.

Accelerator programs can help startups get moving, and WA is well placed to deliver.

Qantas is suspending all international flights, will delay its $201 million interim payout, and is standing down two-thirds of its 30,000-member workforce until the end of May in the face of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

Nine Entertainment, BlueScope Steel and more companies have joined the flood of listed firms cancelling their earnings forecasts as coronavirus chaos spreads.

Investors in a buying mood have pushed the stock market up as they jump on banks stocks ahead of an expected Reserve Bank stimulus move.

Welfare wage to rescue jobless

Oil prices plunged overnight, with US crude futures hitting an 18-year low, as governments worldwide accelerated lockdowns to counter the coronavirus pandemic that is causing global fuel demand to collapse.

Investors have dumped gold in favour of cash after US stimulus measures failed to calm investors who are nervous about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has announced the league will proceed with Round 1 as planned, with the first match to be played between Richmond and Carlton at the MCG tomorrow night.

Engineering and construction contractor Monadelphous no longer expects its revenue to grow by 10 per cent this financial year, saying the economic slowdown and uncertain outlook meant it was unable

A growing number of hospitality venues are either closing or revising their operations, after the Prime Minister announced the ban of all non-essential gatherings of 100 plus people. The ban is effective immediately and will impact religious services.

Australia's rollercoaster share market has plunged again on a raft of profit warnings, an unprecedented travel ban and cancelled flights.

Perth technology company Track’em has been awarded its second contract with Downer this year for the provision of its cloud-based asset tracking software.

More than half of Spectrum Metals shareholders have accepted $208 million takeover by Ramelius Resources, resulting in a wholly unconditional offer.

National construction company Built has won its second major project in Western Australia this month, after entering an early works agreement with aged care operator Curtin Heritage Living.

Euroz has flagged an $8 million hit to its earnings after pulling out of its 80 per cent-owned Prodigy Investment Partners joint venture, which had underperformed in recent years.