AAP

Almost 289,000 jobs were available in February, the highest level in at least eight years, including a 45 per cent lift in Western Australia.

Brisbane’s three-day lockdown was lifted this morning after Queensland recorded just one new case of community transmission of COVID-19, but WA’s hard border with the state remains in place.

Investors have had a good day on the Australian share market and their best month since November's record gains.

Labor has pledged cheaper electric cars and community batteries to drive down power bills if Anthony Albanese becomes prime minister.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has stepped in as peacemaker between the states and some of his federal colleagues after they engaged in a stoush over the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Greater Brisbane has been declared a COVID-19 hotspot for the purpose of commonwealth support as Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly warns travellers to stay up to date with border closures.

Australia's share market had a downbeat day as spikes in bond yields prompted investors to sell equities, while Brisbane's growing coronavirus outbreak hit Easter travel plans.

Some of Western Australia's most vulnerable people are flocking to receive their coronavirus jabs as the rollout begins in remote Aboriginal communities.

One of Australia's oldest energy providers, AGL, wants to split its business in two as it comes under increasing pressure to move to clean energy.

Manufacturing jobs will be at the heart of Labor's attempt to defeat Scott Morrison with a $15 billion plan designed to drive investment in the sector.

Payroll jobs were slightly higher than a year ago by mid-March as the economy continued to recover from last year's deep recession.

Shares closed a little lower on the Australian market as a coronavirus lockdown unfolded for Brisbane, and the refloating of a ship blocking the Suez Canal caused oil prices to fall.

Australia has hit the half a million milestone for COVID-19 vaccinations but is way short of the four million jabs the government predicted just a few months ago.

REA Group has proposed a $244 million purchase of the Mortgage Choice broking business.

A snap lockdown in Brisbane days out from the Easter weekend threatens to spark nationwide chaos.

Australia's resources and energy exports are forecast to reach a record $296 billion in 2020/21, despite the global economic downturn driven by COVID-19.

Investors have had their best week on the ASX in the past seven, while the surging buy now, pay later sector may be the best indicator of any effect on shares from the end of the JobKeeper wage subsidy.

AMP denies media reports that chief executive Francesco De Ferrari has resigned, but says he and the board are discussing the wealth manager's future leadership.

TPG Telecom chairman David Teoh has resigned after many years developing the major force in the Australian telecommunications industry, and shares fell to a record low.

Scott Morrison has reeled off a shopping list of his government's coronavirus vaccine achievements despite the rollout being well behind.

The prime minister has confirmed Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter will remain in cabinet, even though a reshuffle is looming.

Shares closed at their highest level on the Australian market in more than a week, as a weaker Aussie dollar helped the indices buck downcast sentiment overseas.

Putting some of Australia's welfare recipients on cashless debit cards to restrict their spending is costing taxpayers $70 million.

Australian businesses are enjoying improved financial circumstances and are relying less on government support measures.

Australia's vaccine rollout will ramp up quickly over the next month as hundreds of thousands of doses make their way across the country.

The arts and entertainment sector is being offered another $135 million to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Casino giant Crown has admitted it could have underpaid more than 200 workers around $2 million as part of an ongoing wage theft investigation.

Australia's share market bucked a downwards trend across most markets, possibly helped by the Aussie dollar falling to 75 US cents.

Treasury chief Steven Kennedy believes few countries have achieved what Australia has in responding to last year's recession – relatively good health outcomes, smaller economic impacts and now, rapid recovery.

Premier Investments, owner of retail chains including Peter Alexander and Just Jeans, has defended not repaying $15.6 million in JobKeeper assistance after reporting an 88 per cent profit increase.

Treasury boss Steven Kennedy expects a "bump" in the unemployment rate as the JobKeeper wage subsidy comes to an end next week.

Australia's share market has closed lower for the fourth time in the past five sessions, while the Aussie dollar fell to US76 cents as demand for commodities dropped.