Government

Gold retreated overnight from more than three-week highs in the previous session after the US dollar rebounded and risk appetite and bond yields recovered as fears eased about a possible US recession.

Western Australian motorists are being overtaxed to the tune of $2 billion by governments state and federal, according to a report released today by RAC WA.

Australia's poorest workers will be guaranteed a living wage under a federal Labor government but business groups warn it will put jobs at risk.

Oil prices are mixed as concerns about a slowdown in global economic growth lingered, offset by the prospect of tighter US crude supply.

Gold prices have risen to a more than three-week high, helped by a weaker dollar and as worries over global economic growth pushed investors into safe-haven assets.

Gold prices are up as weak economic data from the euro zone exacerbates fears of a global slowdown, weighing on risk sentiment and putting bullion on track for its best week in nearly two months.

Oil prices have fallen about two per cent as focus shifts to a lack of progress in US-China trade talks and as grim manufacturing data from Germany and the US reignited fears of a slowdown in the global economy and oil demand.

Telstra will build 23 of the 26 new mobile base stations and small cells to be delivered in Western Australia, as part of the fourth round of a government initiative to improve mobile coverage in regional and remote communities.

Worn down by three years of indecision in London, European Union leaders have grudgingly offered the UK more time to ease itself out of the bloc, delaying by several weeks - but not eliminating - the threat of a chaotic British exit.

Oil fell nearly one per cent overnight but held near 2019 highs, supported by a tightening of global stocks, OPEC production cuts and US sanctions on key producers Iran and Venezuela.

Gold prices dipped overnight in volatile trade after hitting three-week highs earlier in the session as a set of better than expected US data lifted the US dollar, while palladium notched a record peak on supply concerns.

An Apple-led tech rally has pushed Wall Street higher as jitters over the Federal Reserve's forecast of an economic slowdown were calmed by upbeat economic data.

Appointing a senior minister to manage reform of business licensing and sunset clauses would assist the state government control the proliferation of permits that tie-up enterprises, according to a review released today.

The unemployment rate in Western Australia fell by 1 per cent in February, as 11,000 people stopped looking for work.

Western Australia has recorded the largest percentage increase in net overseas migration in Australia, but its population growth was the third lowest in the country.

The S&P 500 and the Dow have ended lower as interest rate-sensitive financial stocks dragged down the indexes after the US Federal Reserve affirmed a dovish monetary policy stance.

Palladium hit an all-time high overnight on concerns over tight supplies of the autocatalyst metal, while gold reversed course to rise after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged.

US crude prices rose overnight to a four-month high above $US60 a barrel after US government data showed tightening domestic oil supplies, but gains were capped by concerns over global economic growth due to the ongoing US-China trade war.

A federal Labor government will make Perth the home base for an Australian Future Mines centre, and has also pledged to provide 50 mining engineering scholarships at WA universities.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has dismissed a critique of Labor’s wages policy, describing the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA as a trade union for employers and insisting wage increases were sensible.

The prime minister has defended the timing of his government's migration intake announcement, despite it occurring days after the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

Oil prices were largely steady around four-month highs overnight on expectations that OPEC would continue production cuts till the end of the year, and ahead of weekly US data that was forecast to show a build in crude stocks.

Palladium surged past $US1,600 for the first time overnight, in a seven-session rally, on expectations that strained supplies of the autocatalyst metal could worsen, while platinum soared 3 per cent.

OPINION: Industrial emissions policy in a resources state such as WA is fraught, with much of the electorate wanting action and business requiring certainty.

Perth is shaking off its reputation as an expensive place to live, dropping 18 positions to be 64th of 133 cities surveyed in a new report by The Economist magazine.

Oil prices rose to around four-month highs overnight, aided by the prospect of prolonged OPEC-led oil supply curbs and signs of inventory declines in US crude stockpiles.

Palladium touched an all-time high overnight, continuing a strong run this year on a supply shortfall of the autocatalyst material, while gold held above the key $US1,300-per-ounce level on expectations the US Federal Reserve will hold rates steady this week.

Banks and tech helped lead Wall Street higher on Monday, while Boeing and Facebook were a drag and investors eyed this week's US Federal Reserve meeting for affirmation of its commitment to "patient" monetary policy.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has pledged an additional $110 million in new healthcare projects in Western Australia, adding to a string of spending promises ahead of the federal election due in May.

The state government has confirmed it is in talks to reach a settlement that would end the long-standing dispute over the $1.7 billion of litigation proceeds from Alan Bond’s failed Bell Group.

US crude futures briefly hit a 2019 high on Friday but retreated along with benchmark Brent oil as worries about the global economy and robust US production put a brake on prices.

Palladium set a fresh record high on Friday amid expectations that China's economic stimulus would drive demand for the autocatalyst metal, while news that Russia may ban exports of precious metal scraps compounded worries of a supply deficit.