AAP

A free pass on diesel use for the mining sector is preventing Australia from becoming an industrial powerhouse and battery manufacturer, a think tank says.

The local share market has finished 0.2 per cent lower, losing 1.7 per cent for the week.

The financial services regulator alleges AustralianSuper charged members the same set of fees multiple times and failed to consolidate duplicate accounts.

The local share market has closed 1.2 per cent lower after strong service-sector data in the US renewed fears about inflation there.

The reporting date for an inquiry into laws to close labour hire loopholes has been pushed into next year, effectively ending its chances of passing this year.

The local share market has finished 0.8 per cent lower, with every sector save energy losing ground.

Tax credits for processing in-demand battery minerals onshore are "on the table" as the federal government considers the next phase of industry support.

The local share market has finished basically unchanged after the Reserve Bank kept rates on hold for a third month, while the local currency plummeted.

The corporate regulator has alleged that between 2015 and 2022 Westpac didn't respond to financial hardship notices from 229 customers.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce will leave his job immediately - two months earlier than expected - to allow the airline to "accelerate its renewal".

The local share market has gained 0.6 per cent following a US labour market report seen to reduce the odds of another rate hike.

A loophole allowing labour hire workers to be paid less than other employees is in the federal government's sights.

The local share market has finished 0.4 per cent lower, snapping its four-day winning streak on profit-taking ahead of an key monthly US jobs report.

The head of the consumer watchdog wants Qantas to face a fine of $250 million if a cancelled tickets case against it is successful.

The local share market has finished 0.1 per cent higher, closing out August 1.4 per cent lower after being down as much as 4.3 per cent a week and a half ago.

Business investment has picked up because of solid growth across buildings, machinery and equipment, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says.

The consumer watchdog is taking Qantas to court, alleging the airline continued to sell tickets for 8000 flights that had already been cancelled.

The local share market has posted its best performance in since July 13, rising 1.2 per cent as cooling inflation reduced the odds of another rate hike.

Australia's financial regulator has laid out its expectations of lenders when it comes to supporting financially troubled customers.

The local share market has closed 0.7 per cent higher, with Wesfarmers climbing its farthest since February 2022.

The local share market finished up 0.6 per cent after a closely watched address by Fed chairman Jerome Powell at a summit of central bankers.

Concern about what Fed chairman Jerome Powell will say at a forthcoming meeting had the ASX closing down 0.9 per cent for the day and 0.5 per cent for the week.

Global investment firm PAG has bought hospitality group Australian Venue Co, owner of 210 pubs, bars and restaurants across Australia and New Zealand.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia is very exposed to the economic slowdowns taking place in China.

The ASX finished up 0.5 per cent, with more strong gains for tech stocks after Nvidia posted a "jaw-dropping" earnings beat.

Australians 40 years from now will live longer and have fewer children while the economy becomes greener, a landmark reports shows.

The local share market finished 0.4 per cent higher as traders digested earnings results from Woolworths, Domino's Pizza, Wisetech Global and more.

A recession over the coming year is highly unlikely, according to senior government sources, as the economy withstands global and domestic pressures.

The Australian share market has finished up 0.1 per cent with the tech sector enjoying a stellar day thanks in part to Altium and Megaport.

The ABC will get a new chairperson in 2024 with Ita Buttrose confirming she won't seek a second term as head of the public broadcaster.

Anthony Albanese says the country needs to "collectively plan'' for an ageing demographic, as the government prepares to release the Intergenerational Report.

US stocks have closed mostly higher as investors await comments from a meeting of central bankers at Jackson Hole later this week.