AAP

The powerful construction and maritime union could soon split from its manufacturing, mining and energy divisions under draft laws set to sail through federal parliament.

Google and Facebook face $10 million fines if they don't follow the rules of Australia's proposed media code to ensure they pay for news.

Australia is extending a ban on cruise ships by another three months, concerned the risk of coronavirus is still too high.

Investors in the Australian share market have notched a sixth consecutive session of gains, albeit not by much, after mixed leads from the US.

Facebook and Google will be forced to negotiate with major Australian media organisations on how much they pay for news content on their platforms.

Australia's farm production is tipped to hit $65 billion on the back of a bumper harvest while exports are expected to fall amid ongoing trade tensions with China.

The list of Australians stranded overseas has continued to grow, with 39,000 people now keen to return as coronavirus bites across swathes of the globe.

Iron ore miners have powered the Australian share market higher, however strong Chinese demand for the commodity could still hit a snag according to an analyst.

Wage theft will be made a federal criminal offence with beefed up civil penalties to crack down on bosses who underpay workers.

IGA supermarkets owner Metcash has turned around its fortunes to report a $125.1 million first-half profit on the back of a coronavirus shopping boom.

Newly elevated opposition leader Zak Kirkup has announced a promise to deliver payroll tax relief to up to 5,500 small businesses if elected.

Western Australia will reopen its borders to NSW and Victoria tomorrow after the state government allayed concerns over a recent coronavirus case.

Investors have enjoyed a fifth consecutive week of gains on the share market, but returns are becoming limited and a climbing Aussie dollar could pose trouble.

Australia's electronic surveillance laws are set for an overhaul after the Morrison government agreed to the recommendations of a landmark intelligence report.

Attorney-General Christian Porter is releasing a 1300-page report setting out improvements to Australia's intelligence and security laws.

Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the latest NSW COVID-19 results but says a final call on when to reopen the border won't be made until Monday.

Miners have surged on the Australian share market after developments that bode well for iron ore and coal exporters, with the main indices closing higher.

Investigators have reassembled the roof of a building at Perth's Curtin University that collapsed in October, killing an apprentice construction worker and injuring two others.

NSW residents may be locked out of Western Australia for longer, after a Sydney hotel quarantine worker was diagnosed with COVID-19 just days before the border is due to open.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce expects international travel to pick up mid-next year after a coronavirus vaccine has been distributed to a significant number of people.

Australia's emergence from recession has prompted investors to revise projections and sell bonds and stocks, before the ASX finished little changed.

Fewer than 150 people have been lured by cash payments of up to $6,000 to move to the regions and help with farm work.

Gaming group Crown Resorts has appointed a chief compliance and financial crimes officer, in the wake of a NSW inquiry into its fitness to hold a Sydney casino license.

ASX investors have started the month with gains after a broad-based rally, as Australia prepares to exit recession when GDP data is published on Wednesday.

The Reserve Bank has left its suite of monetary policy measures unchanged at its final board meeting of the year.

Australia is on track for its second biggest grain harvest on record as farmers relish bumper crops after years of crippling drought.

Westpac and Commonwealth Bank are facing separate allegations over breaches related to funding and loan products, and interest rate charges.

More than two million workers have left the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme since the Morrison government tightened eligibility and reduced payment rates at the end of September.

Thousands of Australian troops who served in Afghanistan might not have their meritorious unit citations revoked.

The ASX200 has had its best month on record, gains of 9.96 per cent coming from investors' belief that a coronavirus vaccine that will return the world to normal is on the way.

Treasury Wine Estates will move its luxury wines from China to other countries, and slash costs, due to hefty levies put on Australian wine exports.

Qantas insists safety won't be compromised by its plan to outsource about 2,000 positions, having rejected an in-house bid to save jobs at the COVID-battered airline.