AAP

Labor's carbon pricing policy will be made public in weeks and hinges on big polluters getting a competitive edge by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

Perth housing tipped to leap 20 per cent – The West; Chinese on standby to rescue Oakajee – The Fin; New financial disaster threatens, warns BIS – The West; Holden warns on future – The Fin; Labor pledges to veto uranium mining in west – The Aus

Julia Gillard called it "a day of work" and Kevin Rudd joked he's "still here to help".

The Australian share market finished the last day of the week flat as traders dumped smaller stocks ahead of the end of financial year.

Aussie consumers and workers may not be fussed whether or not iconic brewer Foster's is owned by foreigners. Unless it costs jobs and ignores tradition.

The downturn in the retail sector has been due not only to higher official interest rates, says a key central bank official.

The cloud of volcanic ash that has disrupted airline travel throughout Australia over the past two weeks has cost the local industry some $30 million.

A speech by a key central bank official suggests that the reserve bank is still having trouble making its mind up on interest rates.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he expects a reshuffle of the partnerships behind the giant Oakajee port and rail project but remains confident it will go ahead.

The Australian share market defied a weak offshore lead to make marginal gains in opening trade, buoyed by strength in materials and financials stocks.

US stocks closed mixed on Thursday, gaining back ground after steep initial losses spurred by a series of gloomy economic reports from the US, Europe and China.

The Australian dollar has opened a quarter of a US cent lower as pessimism about whether the Greek parliament will approve new spending cuts prompted a fresh round of US dollar buying.

Barnett says port will be successful–The West; Forrest turns up heat on Gillard–The Fin; Retailers seek costs study on energy target–The Fin; Rudd mounts rescue bid to end cattle standoff–The Aus; Telstra's $11b deal fails to impress stakeholders-The West

Australia's two biggest supermarket chains say they have not been consulted about implementing a carbon tax and doubt it can be done by July 2012.

The Australian share market closed weaker, in line with a global sell-off following a downbeat assessment of US growth by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Qantas Airways has announced a new domestic fare structure it says is simpler, more flexible and offers further frequent flyer benefits.

Western Australia's corruption watchdog could be called in to investigate the alleged doctoring of a report which resulted in funding for a school for disabled children being cut.

A volcanic ash cloud that has disrupted flights across Australia should move on later today, allowing airlines to reassess their service cancellations.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott should not attend a conference alongside Lord Monckton after the British climate change sceptic likened government adviser Ross Garnaut to a Nazi, Labor MPs say.

A drawn out and turbulent period of negotiation is over after Telstra reached an $11 billion agreement to participate in the national broadband network.

The Australian share market has opened weaker after a slide on Wall Street overnight, brought on after the US Federal Reserve made a bleak forecast for economic recovery.

Rising share price tightens pressure on Foster's suitor–The West; Forward thinking needed on China, Raby warns–The Aus; Diplomatic breakdown adds to cattle woes–The West; Stockland's $457m asset buy–The Aus; Live sheep trade may move to Kwinana–The West

US stocks closed lower on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve offered a bleak outlook on the struggling economic recovery and vowed to maintain its policy of ultra-low interest rates.

The Australian dollar has opened a quarter of a US cent lower after investors bought US dollars in response to comments from the US Federal Reserve that US economic growth had slowed, but should pick up again soon.

DULUX’S manufacturing facility in O'Connor has just hit the market and is expected to attract interest from developers and owner-occupiers, according to its vendors.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has foreshadowed "tough decisions" and a greater focus on Asia to turn around the airline's loss-making international business.

The Australian share market closed higher on investor optimism that debt-burdened Greece will access more bailout money and avoid generating more financial turmoil.

Julia Gillard has used parliament's question time to highlight the achievements of her first year as prime minister, saying she wants to spread opportunities to all Australians.

Premier Colin Barnett says the federal government had tried to pressure the state to cancel its agriculture minister's trip to Indonesia in response to the ban on live cattle exports.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest says he is feeling "quite confident" about reaching his target of 50,000 job offers for indigenous Australians by the end of next week.

The outlook for economic growth in the next three to nine months is still weak as the economy continues to deal with the impact of the floods, a report has found.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says protesters blockading the site of a proposed $30 billion gas hub in the Kimberley should "move on" now they've made their point.