Sharon Olalia

The Biofuels Association of Australia today called on both sides of the federal election to consider how renewable and sustainable fuels can play a role in directly reducing carbon emissions and balancing Australia's fuel trade deficit.

The Australian share market was weaker by early afternoon after a negative lead from Wall Street, while the resources sector rallied.

Australian airline company Qantas (ASX:QAN) today launched a trial of its all-new Next Generation Check-in system at its domestic terminal at Perth Airport.

Oil major Royal Dutch Shell is likely to join Chevron's Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project in competition with Woodside Petroleum's Pluto project.

Australia's major project development and contracting group Leighton Holdings (ASX: LEI) has secured a five-year $100m contract with Queensland's electricity provider, Ergon Energy.

Australian telecommunications and media company Telstra (ASX: TLS, NZX: TLS) is continuing with its plans to lay-off the 900 operational employees announced several weeks ago, according to a statement released today by the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union.

Queensland's resource and construction industry employers today convened to discuss the latest issues confronting them under the Fair Work Act

Australia's major TV subscription provider Austar United Communications Ltd (ASX:AUN) has reported a 42 per cent drop in first-half profits.

Former World Bank chief economist Joseph Stiglitz has admonished that the resource sector has too much control on the political debate on Australia's mining tax.

Australian house prices continue to increase in most capital cities, but growth pace is slowing, according to a June quarterly house price report released today by online real estate data group Australian Property Monitors (APM).

The Australian share market is set to start weaker today after a plunge on Wall Street overnight.

The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has secured a record workplace relations penalty of $1.325 million as a result of a legal proceeding initiated by the ABCC in response to a protracted union demarcation dispute at the West Gate Bridge strengthening project in 2009.

Gwyneth Paltrow, who is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, is following in her rock star husband's footsteps. The Oscar-winning actress is set to launch her own music album.

Bangkok Smartcard System (BSS) executes contract to implement Vix ERG's MASS clearing house solution, the Australian company said in a statement released today.

Small and medium-sized enterprises must be given greater aid to develop their financial management skills for the sake of the sector and the nation's economic health, CPA Australia said today.

The Thalanyji People, the Native Title holders of the area in and around Onslow, signed a non-binding agreement with gas company Chevron Australia Pty Ltd on Thursday 22 July in Onslow.

The consumer price index, the key measure of inflation in the economy, rose by 0.6 per cent in the three months to June from 0.9 per cent in the March quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australian industrial brands business Alesco Corporation (ASX: ALS) has posted another annual net loss and remains cautious about the coming 12 months.

The Broadband Industry Training Network, a newly formed group, will convene in Melbourne tomorrow to address the lack of skilled technicians needed to construct the national broadband network.

Robust growth is predicted in Melbourne's retail and industrial markets, according to BIS Shrapnel chief economist Frank Gelber.

Macarthur Coal (ASX: MCC) has announced an 11 per cent drop in coal sales in the June quarter against the previous corresponding period. The company, however, noted that it has achieved a sales record for the June 30 financial year.

Gold producer Lihir Gold Ltd (ASX: LGL) said today its three months to June production is in line with guidance.

The Australian dollar opened steady today as investors wait for the release of official inflation data.

The Australian share market is expected to start in positive territory after the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw gains for the fourth consecutive day.

The consumer price index (CPI), the key measure of inflation, is believed to have increased in the June quarter by 1 per cent for an annual rate of 3.4 per cent, an AAP survey of 11 economists shows.

Developer Australand Property Group (ASX:ALZ) says housing affordability will become more and more difficult due to higher interest rates although the company remains well placed to meet Australia's housing shortage.

Telstra (ASX:TLS), through its philanthropic arm, today committed $3.5 million to support five projects driven by Indigenous leaders to improve education, create leadership opportunities and promote cultural pride among young Indigenous Australians, according a statement from the Telstra foundation.

Sony Pictures Releasing launched an on-line game today that will give audiences a unique look into the storyline of the contemporary action thriller Salt, which stars Angelina Jolie.

Optus today announced that it will offer the iPhone 4 in Australia on July 30 with a range of plans.