THE possible closure of Mitsubishi's car manufacturing operations in Adelaide comes as no surprise, an industry analyst says.

CANBERRA, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Growth in Australia's services sector moderated in January as interest rate rises and instability in world financial markets began to dent consumer confidence, a private survey showed.

The New South Wales Government has rejected the Opposition's proposal for a single, centralised transport authority.

SYDNEY, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar held its ground near three-month highs against the U.S. currency on Tuesday, despite waning risk appetite, bolstered by a widely expected interest rate hike by the central bank.

The Federal Government has announced a wide-ranging environmental study of the Kimberley in Western Australia to find a site for a processing plant for gas.

WELLINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Wages in New Zealand rose at a record pace in the fourth quarter, pointing to a drum-tight labour market and supporting the view the central bank will hold interest rates at current high levels for

NEW YORK/SYDNEY, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Kimco Realty Corp KIM.N, one of the largest U.S. owners of shopping centres, said on Monday it had bought A & #36;200 million ( & #36;182 million) worth of convertible bonds in Australia's Valad

The Federal Opposition says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is creating problems for the economy by talking up the challenge of inflation.

McGuigan Simeon Wines has rejected a suggestion from grape growers that the company's name has been changed because of a consumer backlash.

Australia's services industry grew at a slower rate in January with global financial market turmoil, a survey shows.

Premier Mike Rann says the South Australian Government would demand that Mitsubishi repay millions of dollars in taxpayers' support if it pulls out of Australia.

MELBOURNE, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares slipped in early trade on Tuesday as investors braced for an expected hike in interest rates from the central bank later on.

A WOMAN has been charged after a policeman was allegedly bitten on the arm after she was arrested in north Queensland overnight.

COMING face-to-face with a deadly eastern brown snake is not something many of us want to do, but Tony Harrison does it all the time and doesn't mind a bit.

A SEARCH is underway for a missing diver off Cardwell in north Queensland.

TWO men from Brisbane's southside have been killed in a stolen car which collided with a truck on the Pacific Motorway.

12:38 : I've been home for 3 days. It must be time for another set of flights...

A MAJOR planning assessment of Western Australia's unique Kimberley region will be undertaken by the Federal and State Governments.

MEDICAL scientists employed in Victorian hospitals are set to start 24-hour rolling stoppages from 9am AEDT today in support of wage rise claims.

Well, I finally said goodbye to Australia, which was really sad as had a fab time there. Had a delayed flight from Brisbane (rubbish) and arrived about 1 0'clock in the morning in Christchurch in the South island. Started out