AAP

A parliamentary inquiry into Rio Tinto's destruction of ancient cultural sites could be stalled for months as the mining giant faces growing shareholder pressure.

Australia's share market sunk from the beginning of trade and never recovered, after US investors continued to sell the technology stocks that have helped Wall Street to record highs.

Australians may need to wait longer than expected for coronavirus vaccinations after late-stage trials of one promising drug were put on hold.

Incentives for businesses to invest and create jobs will be at the heart of the federal budget, a Morrison government minister says.

Australia's share market has closed more than one per cent higher and above 6,000 points after a late flurry from investors.

A Perth childcare centre has been fined $15,000 after three toddlers sustained severe burns to their feet during a fire drill on a hot day last summer.

Premier Mark McGowan has defended Western Australia's COVID-19 contact tracing capacity after Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared to question the state's readiness for an outbreak.

The final two Australian correspondents working in China have been rushed out of the country over safety concerns.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull believes the Morrison government should resist a push to delay an increase in superannuation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has brushed off a campaign from Facebook and Google against proposed news bargaining laws.

Miners and banks have helped the ASX200 to a modest gain after investors overcame an early stumble, thanks to Chinese trade data which showed high demand continuing for iron ore.

The state's coronavirus travel restrictions are set to block an on-country hearing by a committee examining Rio Tinto's destruction of ancient sites.

Australians could get access to coronavirus vaccines next year after the federal government secured deals to deliver two promising candidates.

Investors have had their worst day on the Aussie market since May 1 after their broad sell-off mirrored a similar result from US markets.

Virgin Australia creditors have approved Bain Capital's $3.5 billion acquisition of the airline.

The limit on the number of Australians able to arrive home is being revised after a meeting of the nation's leaders.

Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt is in talks to buy the rights to the Aboriginal flag.

WA's hard borders will continue as other states look to ease restrictions by Christmas, with Mark McGowan warning a Brazilian-style resources industry outbreak would be catastrophic.

The Morrison government's proposal to more than double the cost of some humanities degrees is set for a short stint under the microscope.

The federal government is ramping-up pressure on the states to open their borders, releasing new modelling showing $55 billion could be wiped from Australia's tourism industry.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has laid another tackle on the Queensland government over state border "double standards" for the AFL.

Medicare telehealth items should be made permanent beyond the coronavirus pandemic period, a parliamentary committee says.

The federal government's plan for a national definition of COVID-19 hotspots has hit a hurdle, with Western Australia's premier describing it as flawed.

Australia Post has scrapped bonus payments for its executive team after facing pressure for asking workers to volunteer.

The state government will have the power to stop miners from disturbing significant sites under long-awaited Aboriginal cultural heritage reforms, which will also demand informed consent for traditional owners.

Australia's share market recorded its best gain since August 4 as investors shrugged off confirmation of the first recession in almost 30 years.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says being awarded hosting rights for the AFL grand final is a win for her state's response to the pandemic.

Australia's top grain exporter has been banned from sending barley to China after disputed claims pests were found in multiple shipments.

Australia's share market had its worst session in four weeks as reporting season finished, and as concerns emerged about the Aussie dollar.

JobKeeper wage subsidies are being split into a two-tiered system and extended for another six months.

Shares in insurer QBE have fallen by more than 5 per cent after its group chief executive departed following an investigation into workplace communications.

Facebook is threatening to stop Australian users from sharing news if the social media giant is forced to compensate media companies for publishing their stories.