AAP

Australians have been urged to take coronavirus vaccine advice from doctors rather than bickering politicians.

Shares on the ASX have closed higher for a ninth consecutive month, the best winning run since 2007.

Indigenous people and tourists intent on travelling into remote communities are being urged to get vaccinated.

Telstra Corporation has sold off just under half its mobile towers business to a high-powered consortium, including Australia's sovereign wealth fund, for almost $3 billion.

Doctors are urging people aged under 60 to wait for the Pfizer vaccine, despite a surprise announcement from the prime minister that any adult who wants the AstraZeneca jab can have it.

Disaster assistance has been made available to help communities in Western Australia's northwest recover from damaging flooding earlier this month.

A late rally on a day blighted by coronavirus lockdowns helped the ASX be one of the better performers among Asian markets.

Outdoor goods retailer Kathmandu says sales and earnings have been hit by recent coronavirus lockdowns in Australia, particularly in NSW and Victoria.

Doctors have been blindsided by a major change to the vaccine rollout, with all Australians aged under 40 now able to request the AstraZeneca jab from their GP.

Tasmania has closed its border to Perth and southeast Queensland in response to coronavirus community trasmission on the mainland.

Investors piled into online retail and supermarket stocks tipped to profit from new coronavirus lockdowns in Australia, and abandoned travel providers.

Australia faces a major challenge of an ageing population, made worse by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh Frydenberg has warned.

IGA Supermarkets owner and distributor Metcash has reported record annual sales and will buy back shares.

Australia's resources and energy exports are expected to hit $334 billion in the next financial year, a new study shows.

Vaccination of aged care workers will be made mandatory under a move endorsed by the national cabinet.

A Western Australian woman who visited Sydney and returned home has contracted COVID-19, prompting increased restrictions including mask wearing indoors.

Investors had their first week of losses in the past six on the ASX while keenly awaited US inflation data could prompt more erratic trading.

A motivational speaker from Victoria is in custody in Perth after allegedly failing to comply with COVID-19 directions.

UPDATED: Premier Mark McGowan has pledged to work constructively with the federal government to establish a purpose-built COVID-19 quarantine facility in Perth as quickly as possible.

Flight Centre is trying to retain staff amid the pandemic by offering shares if workers stay until the end of next year.

Senior cabinet minister Simon Birmingham has backed Barnaby Joyce joining him on a task force to tackle women's safety and economic security.

Australia has vowed to vigorously defend China's complaint about anti-dumping tariffs on railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks.

Afterpay and Woolworths had greatly contrasting fortunes on a day when technology and consumer staples stocks prevailed, but the ASX slipped.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson has been ordered to self-isolate after travelling from Sydney amid NSW's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Households could save almost $200 a year by shopping around for electricity, the consumer watchdog says.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned Australia's slow population growth will be a challenge for future productivity gains.

Scott Morrison has pointed to the number of older Australians who have received a single coronavirus jab after being pressured over low population-wide vaccination figures.

Technology stocks were back in vogue on the ASX, but came at a cost to the wider market as investors re-evaluated yield.

A plan to allow Australia's renewable energy agency to invest in non-renewable technologies has been shot down in the Senate.

Premier Mark McGowan has urged NSW to take stronger measures to crush a worsening coronavirus outbreak, having slammed shut WA's border.

Woolworths will write-down the value of 13 of its CBD stores by about $50 million as they struggle for sales with fewer office workers nearby.

The Reserve Bank appears to be sticking to its interest rate view for now, as new figures show a record trade surplus and continuing strong demand for workers.