AAP

Western Australia has a new senator with the Liberals' Ben Small officially replacing former finance minister Mathias Cormann.

A second consecutive day of losses for the Australian share market and its slimmest weekly gain for November show investors may have refocused on the troubles of the pandemic, an analyst says.

Australia's budget deficit has fallen almost $4 billion short of where it was expected to be at this time, new figures show.

Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime would have to meet Australian content requirements under a federal government proposal to help local production.

Travel group Helloworld is losing up to $2 million per month amid the pandemic, but company bosses expect trade will improve early next year.

Western Australian small businesses are far more positive about the future than their eastern counterparts, with new research showing four in five expective revenue growth through to April next year.

Former Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens once told parliamentarians that the Australian business community was lacking the "animal spirits" that were needed to drive economic growth.

An Australian mother has been left heartbroken after her attempts to help hundreds of other families with babies return home elicited silence from the government.

Investors have produced the biggest loss for the ASX in the vaccine-inspired month of November.

The Defence Force has reportedly asked at least 10 SAS personnel to show why they should not be fired following a report into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

Bega Cheese will buy food and beverage company Lion for $534 million and substantially bolster its product range and retail presence.

Australian coal worth more than $700 million is being held up at Chinese ports because of apparent problems with environmental standards.

A senior minister, business group and Labor frontbencher have defended Mathias Cormann's bid to take a senior international role with a major economic body.

ASX investors can almost claim gains for 2020, after the share market closed within a point of where it started the year.

Retailer Harvey Norman has experienced a revenue boost since the start of the new financial year, putting it on course for a strong rise in pre-tax profit.

Scott Morrison has defended using public money to fly former finance minister Mathias Cormann around Europe.

Australia is eyeing a path to normal life after the latest positive coronavirus vaccine trials boosted hopes of ending the world's pandemic nightmare.

The Morrison government has approved a controversial gas field in northwest NSW, paving the way for the $3.6 billion coal seam project to go ahead.

Gold stocks were sold heavily today after an overnight fall in the price of the yellow metal but strength in other sectors saw the ASX close solidly higher.

Australian iron ore exports reached a record high of $10.9 billion in October, most of which was destined for China.

Australians with disability have been promised clearer decision making time frames for support services when major changes are introduced next year.

Koala populations will be checked across the country as part of an $18 million plan to help protect the troubled native animal.

Australia's share market has closed higher to start the trading week with energy and mining proving the best of the industry sectors.

First-term MP Zak Kirkup is tipped to lead the Western Australian Liberals to the polls in March as they seek to avoid electoral obliteration.

A major business group believes the federal government's decision to expand a business expense tax break to larger companies will further boost investment and help create jobs.

An early end to South Australia's coronavirus lockdown was not enough to inspire investors in a lacklustre day on the Australian share market, but they finished the week happy.

The ratings agency Moody's has downgraded Crown's credit rating, just as a regulatory inquiry hears the gaming giant is unable to govern itself.

Retail sales rose by 1.6 per cent in October, helped by shops being allowed to trade again in Victoria after coronavirus restrictions were eased.

Independent senator Rex Patrick has called for charges against a military lawyer who blew the whistle on alleged war crimes by Australian troops to be dropped.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison believes no hotel quarantine system can be made 100 per cent failsafe after COVID-19 escaped South Australia's isolation regime.

West Coast have axed veteran defender Lewis Jetta in a move that likely spells the end of the dual premiership star's AFL career.

Better than expected jobs figures have been followed by a turnaround for the ASX, which closed higher, but an industry analyst believes investors took their buying cue from elsewhere.