OIL giant ExxonMobil has lowered the prospects for development of a Victorian coal-seam gas industry.

Three people are charged in connection with an alleged million-dollar gold theft in Western Australia's Goldfields, in which police say more than 8,000 tonnes of gold-bearing ore was stolen.

The Indonesian Government is reportedly looking to Mexico as an alternate source of live cattle, after Australian cattle hit record prices and Jakarta meat sellers go on strike.

Queensland's books are expected be back in black within the next four years, with Treasurer Cameron Dick predicting the state will return to a $153 million surplus by mid-2025.

INVESTORS who ploughed funds into international shares are set for another year of double-digit returns.