Government

Payne’s trip ends Chinese freeze

The S&P 500 has risen with boosts from financial, energy and defensive sectors as investors showed some caution on the eve of US congressional elections.

Gold inched lower as investors took some profits following a recent rally, but the metal traded within a narrow range as caution set in ahead of the US congressional elections.

Oil prices were mixed after a steep five-day fall, as the United States formally imposed punitive sanctions on Iran but granted eight countries temporary waivers allowing them to keep buying oil from the Islamic Republic.

Backpackers and other visitors on working holidays will be able to stay in Australia longer under a federal government plan to help farmers fill job shortages.

Treasurer injects $60m into bank watchdog

Concerns that a trade deal between the United States and China may not be imminent have reined in a rally in world equity markets and reversed gains on Wall Street.

Gold has slipped as the US dollar regained some ground on the back of strong American jobs data, putting the metal on track for its first weekly loss in five weeks.

A new report has cast doubt on Western Australia's suitability as a lithium battery-making hub, claiming low labour productivity, distance from major markets and difficulties sourcing the necessary material as barriers to any potential development.

International tourists spent nearly $250 million less in Western Australia during the 2018 financial year than during the previous 12 months, new data from Tourism Research Australia shows.

Opinion: A Committee for Perth report says the WA capital has dropped the ball, and lacks a strategy for its economic future.

Data stolen in cyber-attack on shipbuilder

Oil has fallen nearly 3.0 per cent, with US crude futures hitting lows not seen since April, due to growing concerns that global demand is weakening at a time when output from the world's major oil producers is surging.

US stocks have risen for a third straight session as President Donald Trump said trade talks with China were "moving along nicely," reviving hopes that the two countries can resolve their trade dispute.

Gold rose nearly 2.0 per cent overnight, bouncing off a three-week low touched in the previous session as the dollar fell sharply from recent highs, making the metal cheaper for holders of other currencies.

A national study by Infrastructure Australia has found that Perth residents are among those least likely to use public transport for their daily work commute, despite good accessibility in outer suburbs and subsidies covering about 70 per cent of the cost of a trip.

Opinion: Why not align private sector tax cuts to cost-effectively improving the performance of education and health?

Offshore drilling ‘is a national priority’

Gold has fallen to a near three-week low as the US dollar scaled a 16-month peak and a stock market rebound stirred renewed appetite for riskier

Oil prices have fallen and posted the worst monthly performance since mid-2016 on evidence of rising global crude supply, but losses were limited by signs of strong US demand for fuel.

Perth’s annual inflation rate has hit its highest mark in nearly three years, driven by rising electricity prices in the September quarter, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The federal government today launched a new wage subsidy trial targeting apprenticeships in rural and regional areas, which will invest $60 million across a range of trades

WA in $290m project pitch

Gold prices have fallen as concerns about a further escalation of the US-China trade war boosted the US dollar, eroding bullion's appeal as it tested a key technical support.

Oil prices have dropped more than one per cent on signs of rising supply and concern that global economic growth and demand for fuel will fall victim to the US-China trade war.

WA’s economic outlook is more optimistic than those of other states, mainly due to its food, energy and minerals exports.

Dredging a second channel into Garden Island and major road upgrades could be priorities in a Henderson precinct master plan to be drafted by the state government in 2019, while Defence Minister Chris Pyne today announced a new $200 million vessel will be built at the yards.

Henderson in line for $200m defence boost

Gold has eased, sliding off a more than three-month peak in the previous session, pressured by a strong dollar and as investors returned to riskier assets following a recent sell-off in global stocks.

US stocks have fallen in a volatile session, with the S&P 500 ending just shy of confirming its second correction of 2018, hurt by fresh worries of an escalation of US-China trade tensions and a sharp drop in big tech and Internet names.

Oil prices have edged lower, with futures on track for the worst monthly performance since mid-2016, after Russia signalled that output will remain high and as concern over the global economy fuelled worries about demand for crude.

UPDATED: Former City of Perth chief executive Martin Mileham says he is considering legal action after being sacked suddenly by the commissioners running the council yesterday.