Government

Gold prices rose slightly on Friday as the US dollar backed off its highs, initially rising after US jobs data was weaker than expected. However the data was still strong enough to support the case for more interest rate increases.

Scomo’s GST election pledge

The state government has announced Fremantle Ports will go to the market to lease the two container shipping terminals at North Quay.

Opinion: The WA and federal governments have plenty at stake when they release their respective budgets.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher as the greenback's rally following the US Federal Reserve meeting runs out of steam.

Oil prices rose on Thursday, boosted by OPEC production cuts and the potential for new US sanctions against Iran, but gains were limited by growing US crude inventories.

Gold prices gained on Thursday, one day after the US central bank reassured investors that increases to interest rates would be gradual and as the US dollar softened, with geopolitical uncertainties also providing support.

Confidence rises but spending still on hold

Programmed managing director Chris Sutherland has talked up WA’s economic prospects, while challenging alarmism about artificial intelligence and labour trends at a Success & Leadership breakfast this morning.

Federal Labor has effectively committed to end live sheep exports with its agriculture spokesman, Joel Fitzgibbon, telling an Adelaide radio station the party does not believe there is a future for the sector.

Less than 1 per cent of businesses paid half of Australia’s corporate tax take in the year to June 2016, according to ATO data, while the financial services and resources industries were the biggest contributors.

The Australian dollar has followed Wall Street lower after the US Federal Reserve indicated that it is on track to raise its interest rate at its next policy meeting in June.

Oil prices strengthened slightly ahead of the settlement Wednesday as the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and expressed confidence that a recent rise in inflation would be sustained.

Gold prices extended their gains on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve's dovish remarks weakened the US dollar against a basket of currencies, yet bullion remained vulnerable to a possible rising greenback and weak investment demand.

Crackdown on rorters taking ATO for ride

State-owned Western Power will need to trim operating costs by about $100 million more than planned over the next five years under the Economic Regulation Authority’s latest draft access arrangements released last night.

The state government has announced an additional $24 million in funding for grain industry research and development, taking the total figure to $45 million over the next four years.

Labor MP Tim Hammond has announced his resignation from federal parliament due to the job's toll on his family, with Labor's state secretary Patrick Gorman tipped to be the party's candidate at the upcoming by-election in the seat of Perth.

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in almost a year after metals prices lost ground overnight.

Oil prices slid more than one per cent on Tuesday as the US dollar remained near a four-month high, but worries that US President Donald Trump will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal underpinned the market.

Gold slid to a four-month low on Tuesday as the dollar strengthened ahead of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting that is being watched for clues on the future pace of interest rate hikes.

US extends tariff exemptions

The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent, with RBA governor Philip Lowe continuing to worry about weak household spending and sluggish wages growth.

Oil prices rose on Monday, bouncing off early losses after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had proof that "Iran lied" about its nuclear capabilities, and that he was sure US President Donald Trump would do "the right thing" in reviewing the country's nuclear deal with western powers.

Wall Street has fallen as healthcare stocks slid and investors worried about rising costs for companies as oil prices rose, although the major indexes eked out a gain in April to snap a two-month losing streak.

Gold prices fell to the lowest in nearly six weeks on Monday as the US dollar strengthened and easing tensions on the Korean peninsula helped boost appetite for higher risk assets such as stocks.

Wesfarmers faces exec shake-up

Oil prices edged lower on Friday, although Brent still gained for a third straight week amid supply concerns should the United States reimpose sanctions on Iran.

Gold edged higher on Friday after the US dollar and US Treasury yields backed off highs, but the prospect of a Korean denuclearisation deal eroded bullion's safe-haven appeal.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after US stocks had a flat finish to trade on Friday, and European share markets gained ground.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after US stocks had a flat finish to trade on Friday, and European share markets gained ground.

Budget can afford $8b in tax cuts