Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong asks Optus to cover the passport application fees for anyone affected by last week's massive data breach.

Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals says the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine will close this week, with 330 jobs to be made redundant.

Landholders along the alignment of the Western Renewables Link have begun receiving compensation offers before the energy transmission project has been fully assessed or received approval to proceed.

RBA governor Michele Bullock says she wants to be "much more confident" about inflation before considering a potential rate cut, after the central bank left the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent. Meanwhile, the Australian share market has ended higher after a subdued session. Follow live.

The Colac Otway Shire Council has informed the Colac Herald it will no longer respond to inquiries unless the matter relates to the community's safety after an article was published without council comment.