AAP

Scott Morrison is being urged to extend the HomeBuilder program after new research found the coronavirus pandemic could savagely cut housing demand over the next three years.

Australian shares have just managed to end a run of weekly falls at the close by the tiniest of margins after an early rally fizzled out.

The Morrison government has thrown Australian Associated Press a $5 million lifeline from a public interest news gathering fund.

Western Australia will set up a new quarantine hotel and may reduce elective surgery to cope with an influx of returned travellers.

More Australians stranded overseas will be able to return home each week after state governments agreed to a staggered rise in hotel quarantine caps.

The federal government is treating the states like children in its push for them to take more returned travellers, Premier Mark McGowan says.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison insists thousands more stranded Australians will re-enter the country each week, pressuring the states to boost capacities in hotel quarantine.

Aussie shares finished flat but it was the dollar that climbed; the Aussie rose above 73 US cents following better than expected economic data from China and signs the RBA is unwilling to interfere yet.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has promised the Morrison government will continue to do what is necessary to cushion the economy from the blow of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mining giant BHP has conceded the entire industry needs to put significant work into rebuilding trust with Aboriginal land owners.

Australia's green bank will have its remit expanded to include carbon capture and storage, green steel and hydrogen.

West Australians unable to work while in COVID-19 quarantine will be eligible for a payment under a deal struck with the federal government.

The Australian share market finished around the day's highs in what appeared to be investors taking a punt on positive news coming out after the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting later on Wednesday.

Western Australia will consider again using Rottnest Island to house returned travellers amid tension between the state and Commonwealth over quarantine arrangements.

A senior private sector adviser to Scott Morrison has warned the Australian government to temper its public comments about China.

Almost two-thirds of medium-sized companies are concerned economic activity faces a significant decline, resulting in even higher unemployment, when the federal government unwinds its COVID-19 stimulus measures.

Qantas is considering moving and downsizing its offices and aviation facilities within Australia as part of continued efforts to cut costs amid the pandemic.

Premier Mark McGowan has come under fire for suggesting returning overseas travellers should quarantine alongside detainees at Christmas Island.

Qantas is considering moving and downsizing its offices and aviation facilities within Australia as part of continued efforts to cut costs amid the pandemic.

Aussie shares finished flat but it was the dollar that climbed; the Aussie rose above 73 US cents following better than expected economic data from China.

Scott Morrison is promising to build a gas power plant in the NSW Hunter Valley if the private sector does not step in.

More than $5 million was fraudulently acquired by a former Fremantle Ports employee who remains on the run overseas, Western Australian police believe.

At least 145,000 jobs could be lost if pandemic-boosted welfare payments are slashed, a new report says.

Miners and energy companies helped shares close higher on the Australian market as investors continue to hope for an end to four consecutive weeks of losses.

The nation's coronavirus death toll has pushed beyond 800 as border closures and the heartbreak they create continue to cause friction between federal and state leaders.

The company with exclusive commercial licensing rights of the Aboriginal flag is in discussions with a federal government agency over use of the design.

Australia's share market has fallen to its fourth consecutive week of losses after a negative day session in which banks and miners had losses of more than one per cent.

Australia's second largest bank, Westpac, believes the $900 million it has set aside for an eventual settlement with financial regulator AUSTRAC over breached anti-money laundering laws is adequate.

The Morrison government hopes a deal with Germany will help pave the way for Australia's hydrogen industry.

Four in five people living on pandemic-boosted welfare payments will be forced to skip meals if the coronavirus supplement is cut.

Health Minister Greg Hunt is confident a pause in one of the world's most promising coronavirus vaccine candidates will not delay Australia accessing the drug.

Australia's share market has finished higher, although some investors were underwhelmed by easing values throughout the session after a good lead from US markets.