AAP

The Australian dollar is slightly weaker this morning after trading in a narrow range overnight in volatile trade.

US stocks posted healthy gains on Tuesday after a volatile day of trading driven by more twists and turns in Europe's sovereign debt crisis.

Major supermarkets would be forced to reveal how much they pay farmers for fresh fruit and vegetables under proposed new laws before parliament.

The Australian share market had a broad based gain, recouping part of yesterday's heavy losses, amid speculation China was seeking to buy into ailing European banks.

Kids aged four to 14 are now a cashed-up and digitally savvy consumer group with $1.5 billion to spend on enjoying themselves every year, a new survey has found.

Australia is one of the world's most expensive countries when it comes to prescription medicines, a study shows.

They've been quietly storing carbon dioxide for decades without causing a fuss or charging anyone a cent for the privilege but Australia's seagrass beds are at risk of being destroyed by climate ch

The federal government has been accused of destroying private businesses installing fibre optic cabling for telecommunications.

Voters are unlikely to see coalition policy costings by Treasury or the independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) at the next election.

The decision by Fairfax Radio's Perth talkback station 6PR to install Paul Murray in the morning shift has paid off, with the former newspaper editor trumping his ABC rival in the latest radio surv

Business confidence has fallen sharply to levels last seen in 2009 as the economy was struggling to emerge from the global financial crisis, the National Australia Bank's monthly business survey ha

The immediate prospects for the retailing sector look set to go from "bad to worse" as a result of sharemarket volatility, an independent forecaster has warned.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told Australia's steel industry that it remains critical to the nation's future even as the country moves towards a low-carbon economy.

The Australian share market remained in positive territory at noon, with strength in energy, materials and bank stocks.

Western Australia receives far less of the national GST take than it would if the funds were distributed according to population, Nationals MP Tony Crook says.

The Australian dollar is firmer this morning after a volatile night characterised by risk aversion and further Eurozone concerns.

US stocks closed higher on Monday, shrugging off troubles in the eurozone and worries about a possible Greek default to stage a healthy rebound.

Chinese investors looking for opportunities in Australia remain focused on the resource and agricultural sectors, according to the head of a major Chinese accounting firm.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is talking tough ahead of the introduction of the carbon tax legislation, telling retired workers he learnt from his union days to "stand and fight" for what he

An increase in the GST rate would boost economic growth, help cut business and personal taxes, and get rid of inefficient taxes, accounting experts say.

Office blocks with solid green credentials can be worth up to 10 per cent more than other office buildings, new research shows.

Australia is expected to remain an attractive country for international retailers after some major Australian retailers recently bucked the gloomy trend, new research shows.

The Australian share market closed lower, plunging by more than 3.5 per cent on the worst trading day in a month.

Australian household grocery bills have fallen by a total of $175 million after supermarkets reduced the price of milk, retailing giant Coles says.

Household budgets are set to be squeezed further as fuel prices continue to rise in the near term, an economist says.

Linc Energy plans to buy back on-market up to five per cent of the company's shares, worth about $51 million.

The Australian Greens believe an independent inquiry into the manufacturing sector should be able to be conducted without the name-calling of "protectionism".

Tiger Airways has announced former Virgin Blue chief operating officer Andrew David as the new chief executive of its Australian operation.

More dairy farmers are feeling confident about the future of their industry despite global economic uncertainty and the continuing impact in some areas of drought, flood and the supermarket milk wa

Finance Minister Penny Wong says opposition claims the government is about to withdraw monies from the Future Fund are "completely incorrect".

Australia has posted a trade surplus for the fifth straight month, as mining exports continue to hold weight in the face of a global economic slowdown.