Planning minister Anthony Roberts is seeking advice about new powers to refuse coal mining applications.

The local sharemarket ended another big day of reporting season in the red, as a slide in miners led by Rio Tinto offset a number of positive earnings surprises.

Ardent chief executive Deborah Thomas says she is "not going anywhere" and will work to restore the theme park operator to its former glory after the company sank to a $49.4 million loss for the December half following the fatal accident at its Dreamworld theme park in October.

​Western Australia's police commissioner has questioned Premier Colin Barnett's claim that drug use is rife in the state because of high incomes.

Football Federation Australia fined Western Sydney Wanderers $20,000 for an offensive banner raised by their fans, but will not penalise the club by docking competition points.