AAP

Scott Morrison says rising inflation levels are not just limited to Australia, amid a predicted rise in interest rates in coming months.

Australian shares have had their steepest fall in more than three weeks after US Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed policymakers wanted bigger rate hikes to curb inflation.

Energy companies could soon be forced to give more notice before they close under a proposal from the federal government.

The local market closed lower with materials, energy and tech stocks proving to be a drag.

Households are in a strong enough position to handle a rise in interest rates, Josh Frydenberg says, as the RBA appears to be losing patience with inflation.

A Reserve Bank no longer patient about raising rates helped scuttle the share market and send the Aussie dollar higher to 76 US cents.

The Reserve Bank of Australia board has left the cash rate unchanged, but warns it will be monitoring inflation and wages figures in coming months.

A major new oil project off Western Australia is a significant step for fuel security at a time of intense international volatility, the government says.

A minor gain has helped the ASX200 close above 7500 points, a little more than 100 points from a record high.

Peter Gutwein will resign as Tasmania's premier and quit the state's parliament citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

The March ANZ job advertisement series is likely to point to a further decline in the jobless rate and quicker than being predicted by the RBA and Treasury.

There were no red faces after tame ASX movement on April Fools' Day, although investors may be nervous about the Reserve Bank rates forecast next week.

Anthony Albanese has used his budget reply speech to pledge $2.56 billion to help the country's aged care sector, with the election just weeks away.

A Senate estimates hearing has heard higher global oil prices and supply-chain pressures are contributing to growing inflation.

Soaring commodity prices and the prospect of higher interest rates for banks have helped the Australian share market post its best month in the past 16.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says there were 423,500 job vacancies in February, around 200,000 more than was seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A seventh consecutive day of gains on the ASX has delighted investors and moved the market to just over 100 points from reaching its record high.

Telstra has announced the retirement of long-serving chief executive Andrew Penn, who will be replaced by chief financial officer Vicki Brady.

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has farewelled federal parliament after 14 years representing Western Australia.

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has farewelled federal parliament after 14 years representing Western Australia.

Technology shares and the ASX are back in vogue for investors and the market cruised to a sixth consecutive day of gains.

Repeated government promises to help households facing financial pressures have failed to lift confidence or tame inflation fears.

Australia's share market had a marginal gain as investors found bond yields increasingly attractive in a rising interest rate environment.

Tuesday night's federal budget is expected to include a cut to the fuel excise as well as assistance for more first home buyers.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level in more than two months, buoyed by gains in materials, energy and utility stocks amid soaring commodity prices.

Vulnerable and older Australians will soon be able to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Australian shares have kept their run higher going, while the prospect of more sanctions on Russia could dictate trading behaviour tomorrow.

A new survey has found employers are facing higher wage demands from candidates seeking employment.

A charmed run for the ASX has continued while one analyst is pondering whether bond investors wary of higher rates are about to end the run.

The National Skills Commission says job advertisements on the internet rose by a further 3.6 per cent in February.

Market heavyweight BHP jumped five per cent and the ASX rose for a fourth day in the past five as it thrives on demand for commodities.

Consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since September 2020, undermined by persistent concerns over the inflation outlook.