The Australian share market is lower, with the mining and energy sector once again leading the broader bourse into the red.

Market heavyweight BHP Billiton was down 2.5 per cent after the overnight price for iron was flat but most other minerals had lost ground.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum was also helping to lead the sector south, shedding 3.5 per cent on the back of falling oil prices.

The big four banks were also lower, with investors cool on the restrictions and costs recommended in the Murray financial services inquiry.

ANZ was the worst performing big bank, down 1.5 per cent at lunchtime.

A mixed bag of Chinese data, released on Monday, showing a rise in China’s retail trade but a fall in factory production, also failed to cheer local investors.

KEY FACTS

* At 1200 AEDT on Tuesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 18.4 points, or 0.35 per cent, at 5,251.3 points.

* The broader All Ordinaries index was down 18.8 points, or 0.35 per cent, at 5,285.8 points.

* The December share price index futures contract was down eight points at 5,229 points, with 10,804 contracts traded.

* National turnover was 840.6 million securities worth $1.7 billion.