Government

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate to a new record low of 0.75 per cent, with the board prepared to go even lower if the nation's economy does not respond.

State Attorney General John Quigley has taken a battle between parliament's upper house and the Corruption and Crime Commission to the Supreme Court.

A $2.4 billion surge in revenue above forecast levels helped the state government record a $1.3 billion operating surplus in the year to June, but the overall cash position of the budget is still in a deficit of $924 million.

Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has branded Bunnings underpaying some workers' superannuation for almost a decade as "wage theft".

Industry bodies are divided over a plan to increase regulation of short-stay accommodation providers such as Airbnb, with Tourism Council WA and the Australian Hotels Association among supporters of the proposed rules.

Power utility Synergy has taken a $446 million impairment and reported a loss of $656.9 million in the year to June, which the state government-owned business said was driven by higher fixed costs as revenue fell.

OPINION: The recovery of Qantas highlights why government intervention is not necessary and good leadership should be rewarded.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Foundation has announced a $US300 million ($440 million) commitment to establish a new industry-focused initiative to end worldwide plastic waste.

Voluntary assisted-dying laws have easily passed Western Australia's lower house, with the Bill now headed to the upper house of parliament where it will face a tougher passage.

Inner Perth's natural environment is among the characteristics that contribute to it being the most liveable metropolitan region in Australia, according to a recent report by Ipsos Australia.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt says Curtin University's $500 million investment in new facilities is indicative of the evolution of universities to provide a wider benefit to surrounding communities.

A resurgent iron ore price and a record $A gold price underpinned a $30 billion increase in Western Australia's mineral and petroleum sales for the 2019 fiscal year, according to the state government.

OPINION: WA's fraught journey towards creation of a new port near Perth has continued with a split in Labor ranks.

One of Australia's most experienced electoral officials has called for a major shakeup in the regulation and reporting of political donations at federal and state levels.

Western Australia's annual population growth rate has lifted slightly to 1 per cent but continues to lag the national growth rate of 1.6 per cent.

Unemployment fell 0.1 percentage points in Western Australia in August to be 5.8 per cent, although the number of people employed full time fell by about 7,900.

The federal budget was in a $700 million deficit in the 2018/19 financial year, the Final Budget Outcome report shows.

Consumers have saved $7.5 billion through the Economic Regulation Authority's tight leash on major utilities, according to chair Nicky Cusworth, but work is needed to make the state's rules regime more effective.

Economists for two big banks are split on whether consumer confidence is rebounding as larger-than-normal tax refunds land in bank accounts.

The man responsible for Australia's fuel stocks does not believe drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oilfields will drive up domestic petrol prices.

Suspended Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has admitted at an inquiry that she broke the law when she interfered in the council heritage listing process for a building in which she had a financial interest.

Synergy has secured a substantial electricity supply deal with the North Metropolitan Health Service, one of several electricity contracts awarded by government agencies in the health and education sectors in recent months.

Two more contractors have admitted their involvement in Perth's North Metropolitan Health Service fraud scandal.

Australia is now less reliant on coal than at the beginning of the century even as energy consumption steadily climbs with a growing population.

The Maritime Union of Australia has voted to break its affiliation with Unions WA in protest over the McGowan government's plans for a new container port at Cockburn Sound.

The Morrison government has moved a step closer to beefing up the powers of the securities watchdog as part of its aim to restore trust in the nation's banking system.

There's an economic significance to Australia delivering a current account surplus in the June quarter that reflects a wider trend than just strong exports.

The McGowan government has inked its biggest privatisation deal yet, with Landgate's titles register to be operated by a consortium including industry superannuation funds and a Macquarie Group fund, in a deal worth $1.4 billion.

Live animal exports will be policed by an independent inspector-general under legislation poised to pass federal parliament.

The number of women in executive leadership positions across Australia's largest listed companies is slowly increasing according to a new report, with Emeco Holdings, Wesfarmers and South32 the top performers for Western Australia.

The long-running debate over Brexit is frustrating but there are much larger issues that will shape business and trade opportunities, the lord mayor of the City of London told a Perth business audience today.

Perth residents' median age is up, they share their home with fewer people, but are much more likely to be working and paying off a housing loan than their forebears 70 years ago, a new study has found.