Australia

Labor and the coalition are battling to convince state leaders of the merits of their school funding plans.

Melbourne Airport has released an ambitious expansion plan, including a third runway, road and rail links.

Shares in Santos closed 1.6 per cent higher as oil production commenced ahead of schedule at the company's $490 million Fletcher Finucane project off WA

Optus hopes to reach 70 per cent of the Australian metropolitan population with 4G network coverage by the middle of 2014.

Wallabies back-rower Scott Higginbotham has hit career-best Super Rugby form in the past month as he laps up the Rebels captaincy.

West Coast will have the chance to give their percentage a major boost when they take on Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium on Saturday.

Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart admits the Catholic Church was slow to act on abuse.

Brisbane AFL coach Michael Voss says he wants his team to play more aggressively, even though they are likely to lose two players to suspension.

Businessman who languished in detention in Dubai for more than four years cleared of fraud charges.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher and spent the local session trading in a narrow range.