AAP

A major union has announced a breakthrough with mining giant Rio Tinto after striking a deal over a collective agreement for iron ore rail workers in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will tell his state counterparts they can either have a national solar feed-in tariff scheme or a renewable energy target, but they can't have both.

The Australian Greens say the federal government must decide on the National Heritage listing of the West Kimberley before environmental assessments begin for a proposed gas hub near Broome.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy has sought to dampen market rumours about the company's financing arrangements, a potential capital raising and a potential sale by Newmont Mining of its 6.71 per cent stake in Paladin.

The Australian sharemarket opened higher this morning after United States markets lifted overnight and bargain-hunters chased sold-down stocks.

Rising commodity prices and a return of risk appetite has helped the Australian dollar open over a third of a US cent higher this morning.

Key adviser embraces carbon tax – The Fin; Mines tax split on lease values – The Fin; Rio deal puts unions back in the Pilbara after 20-year break – The Aus; Yara scandal threatens Burrup bid – The Aus; Cattle ban costs me $70,000 every day – The West

US stocks recovered from a June swoon on Thursday, lifted by an unexpected narrowing of the US trade deficit in April.

Western Australia has secured an exclusive art exhibition showcasing the works of modern masters including Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

West Australian Commerce Minister Simon O'Brien says the latest employment figures show more people have been seeking to join the state's workforce, driven by a rise in female participation.

Gold miner Newcrest Mining has downgraded its full year gold production guidance due to a power malfunction at its Lihir operation in Papua New Guinea.

A steady performance from the financial sector overcame earlier negative offshore leads to ensure the Australian share market finished in positive territory.

Tourists from China are the biggest spenders in Australia and they're likely to splash out more in future.

West Australian Labor leader Eric Ripper has written to the federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig urging him to provide "immediate compensation" to pastoralists.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says he welcomes a Reserve Bank probe into whether customers are being ripped off by credit card surcharges.

Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott says Australia will be kicking an "economic own goal" if the Labor government goes ahead with a planned carbon emissions tax.

A senior Gillard government minister says a congestion tax should be considered, even though Labor rejected the idea only last year.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says a new report examining global action to tackle climate change shows that rather than striking out on its own, Australia risks falling behind other countries.

Despite storms, rain and mildew, Australia's vineyards are turning out some quality drops this vintage.

Mermaid Marine Australia says it has won two contracts worth $60 million to provide offshore marine services to Woodside's WA operations.

The West Australian Labor Party will have to "front up to the reality of life" in deciding whether to continue opposing uranium mining, Federal Resource Minister Martin Ferguson says.

Gold remains the most sought-after commodity in an exploration drilling program partly funded by the West Australian government, latest figures show.

Total employment has risen by much less than economists were expecting and may mean the next interest rate rise is further away than previously forecast.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says a decision to suspend live cattle exports to Indonesia does not breach any world trade rules, as a debate rages over how long authorities have known about mistreatment claims.

The competition watchdog has given interim approval for a proposed joint venture agreement between Qantas Airways and American Airlines to coordinate flights to and from the United States.

The British Museum and the West Australian Museum have teamed up to hold an exclusive exhibition during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October.

The Australian share market opened lower on Thursday, in the wake of another fall on United States markets overnight.

Thanks for the memories Europe, but Western Australia's financial and social future lies in Asia. That's the line Premier Colin Barnett has delivered to a London audience overnight.

The Australian dollar is trading over a third of a US cent lower, as the market awaits domestic jobs data and after disappointing employment figures from Greece overnight.

Jakarta fights live export ban – The Aus; RBA tackles credit card gouging – The Fin; Magnetite faces full royalty – The West; Gas backs coal on getting ahead of the carbon game – The Aus; Coal price dispute threatens power sale – The Aus

US stocks ended in negative territory for the sixth time in a row on Wednesday amid fresh signs of trouble for the US economic recovery.

Employees will enjoy a more mobile work environment within three to five years as "smart" technology becomes commonplace at work, research has found.