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Australian shares have rallied more than two per cent for a third straight day of morning gains after a massive US stimulus deal sent global markets soaring.

Funds may not insure pandemic deaths

US crude prices rose slightly overnight, bolstered by progress on the US economic stimulus package, but government data shows the coronavirus pandemic started to hurt US fuel demand last week.

Palladium prices rocketed overnight as a lockdown in major producer South Africa exacerbated supply woes, while gold inched up as markets eyed US stimulus.

Some people find transitioning from an office environment to working from home difficult, but it needn’t be.

800 cruise ship passengers to be quarantined at Rottnest. WA's COVID-19 cases rise by 30 to 205. Premier Mark McGowan introduces alcohol sale restrictions. Australia's COVID-19 cases rise by 287 to 2,423.

The ‘rainy day’ has arrived, and a former WA treasurer is calling on the McGowan government to do more.

NRW Holdings managing director Jules Pemberton has sold 3.65 million shares to fund personal tax liabilities, at a price that was less than half the January peak in the company's share price.

Australian shares have achieved back-to-back gains for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began, rallying in the final minutes of trade on reports that US politicians have reached a deal on a massive US stimulus deal to shore up the world's biggest economy.

Nationals MP Vince Catania has called on the state government to urgently launch a campaign to tell tourists to stop travelling to the regions immediately and for visitors already there to go home, with vulnerable communities and agricultural industries at high risk because of a lack of capacity in regional healthcare.

Pilbara Minerals has signed a five-year offtake agreement with China-based Yibin Tianyi to supply lithium from its Pilgangoora project in Western Australia.

Perenti Global has put dividends on hold to boost its financial position in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but says the virus has not yet affected the business.

One of Western Australia’s top land developers is continuing to prepare for future growth, with Satterley Property Group splashing more than $66 million on new projects in Perth.

In a single month, the entire tourism industry has been turned on its head, with operators big and small subject to a harsh new reality.

Bellevue Gold has received commitments to raise $26.5 million through a share placement, as the company seeks to upgrade resources at its flagship project in Western Australia.

Medical tech firm Cochlear is seeking to eliminate liquidity risk by raising $850 million as the coronavirus pandemic delays elective surgeries across a growing number of countries.

Regulars at Rachael Torre’s cafe and convenience store Wholefood Circus would notice the differences as the hospitality entrepreneur adapts to the new environment, simultaneously seeking to save her business and “feed half of the Western suburbs".

Former Fortescue Metals Group chief executive and current Perth Airport chairman Nev Power has been recruited by the prime minister to lead a National COVID-19 Coordination Commission.

Virgin Australia has stood down about 8,000 of its 10,000 workers until at least the end of May and further slashed domestic flight capacity in the wake of the coronavirus border restrictions.

Australian shares have surged almost six per cent back to above the 5,000-point level on a wave of optimism a massive US stimulus deal will shore up the world's biggest economy.

Hotels, unions ditch rules for jobs

Oil prices rose modestly on overnight but settled off the day's highs as the coronavirus pandemic's heavy toll on demand offset hopes for a forthcoming $US2 trillion US economic relief package.

Palladium and platinum prices surged on Tuesday, with palladium on track for its biggest daily gain since 2001, as major producer South Africa was locked down due to the coronavirus, while gold soared over 5 per cent as fresh stimulus stopped liquidation among investors.

Click through for the latest list of prohibited activities and venues.

Mark McGowan says regional WA travel restrictions will soon be announced, foreshadows beach closures. Optus Stadium converted to emergency headquarters for WA police. WA's confirmed COVID-19 cases grew by 35 to 175.

Woodside Petroleum has cut the number of people working at its Karratha gas plant, with the decision flowing through to hundreds of contractors at companies such as Monadelphous and UGL.

Cedar Woods Properties has completed a $26 million sale of a commercial asset at its Williams Landing estate in Melbourne, with the recently completed Emergency Communication Facility sol

Australia's share market has rallied from a near eight-year low with the US Federal Reserve taking drastic action to shore up markets and new coronavirus cases seeming to plateau in Italy.

People already waiting at the Western Australian border will be allowed into the state after the closure deadline, as the premier flagged banning regional travel and shutting down beaches.

A local brewing operation has sounded a dramatic warning to governments, urging approvals for new hand sanitiser products be fast-tracked to help mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus.

Gage Roads Brewing Company has increased its weekly production of packaged products by 80 per cent to meet a recent surge in demand but has cut production of draught beer and withdrawn its earnings guidance because of the uncertain outlook.

Curtin University has awarded a fire services maintenance contract to ARA Indigenous Services, a business established by former AFL player Michael O’Loughlin.