Asian economic growth to languish this year, China the worry: Reuters poll

(Reuters) - Growth in emerging Asian countries will be lackluster this year and contribute less to the global economy, despite signs of recovery in the region's major trading partners in the West, Reuters polls showed on Friday.

Central bank finally takes knife to rate

Australia's central bank lowered its benchmark interest rate yesterday for the first time since April 2009 as inflation eases and weaker global growth threatens to slow the nation's resource-driven economy.

Australian PM Julia Gillard presents carbon tax bill

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has presented her bill for a controversial carbon tax to parliament.

The legislation would force about 500 of the biggest polluters to pay for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit.

The tax is central to the government's strategy to combat climate change, but the opposition say it will cause job losses and raise the cost of living.