Government

An ambitious water supply project in Western Australia's South West is set to proceed after gaining federal government backing, with Collie Water chairman Peter Fogarty saying he was well advanced in securing private investors to complete funding.

Two giant waste-to-energy projects planned for Kwinana and Rockingham could gain extra financial backing after the federal government unveiled a raft of policy initiatives to address problems flowing from China’s new restrictions on accepting foreign waste.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has today announced $3.2 billion of federal government funding for Western Australian infrastructure projects ahead of next month’s budget, however, there is still uncertainty around the timing of a number of those projects.

The Australian dollar is lower after the US dollar rallied following the European Central Bank meeting and the release of better than expected US employment data.

Oil prices gained on Thursday as the risk of renewed US sanctions on Iran, plunging Venezuelan output, and robust global demand shook off the effects of a strong US dollar.

Gold prices hovered near five-week lows on Thursday as a stronger US dollar and lofty US bond yields dampened interest in bullion.

PM’s big WA spend

The state government has appointed Stephen Edwell chair of Horizon Power, and added Kylie Chamberlain to the utility’s board.

The state government has appointed Civmec defence general manager Mike Deeks as its new London-based agent general for Western Australia.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a new four month low as the US dollar rallies against most major currencies after US Treasury bonds broke the three per cent mark.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday despite data showing rising US inventories, holding within sight of three-year highs reached the previous day on geopolitical tensions including the prospect of fresh sanctions on Iran.

Gold prices slumped to a five-week low on Wednesday as the US dollar jumped and US Treasury yields continued to rise on signs of US economic strength and an easing in the US-China trade conflict.

GST-linked spending blitz to shore up seats

The state government has appointed Francis Burt Chambers lawyer Tony Power to undertake a year-long inquiry into the City of Perth, after the council was suspended last month following a tumultuous period.

Perth's inflation rate was just 0.1 per cent in the March quarter, bringing the total increase in consumer prices in the past 12 months to just 0.9 per cent, well below the national inflation rate of 1.9 per cent.

US stocks have seen little changed with gains in industrial and health care stocks offsetting the impact from falling oil prices, as investors kept an eye on rising US bond yields.

Oil prices rebounded from an early slide to finish higher and strengthen further in post-settlement trade, as investors feared US sanctions could dampen Iran's output.

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in over four months, dragged down by lower US stocks and metals prices, as well as higher US bond yields, which are supporting a higher US dollar.

Paying down debt more important than tax cuts: voters

Oil prices edged up on Friday, stabilising after an earlier slide driven by US President Donald Trump's criticism of OPEC's role in pushing up global oil prices.

The Australian dollar is lower, after Wall Street fell, dragged down by falls in technology stocks on nerves about upcoming earnings reports.

Gold prices eased on Friday as the US dollar advanced on expectations of higher US interest rates and market players grew a bit less worried about global political and security risks.

WA economy on the way up

State governments have approved more detailed design work on the National Energy Guarantee to proceed at a Council of Australian Governments energy ministers meeting today, although Labor state leaders still have objections.

The cost to Western Australian farmers of a ban on live sheep exports could be more than 10 times previous estimates, as much as $150 million, according to a report released today.

Opinion: The departure of career public servant Stephen Wood has raised questions about the role of the bureaucracy in providing frank and fearless advice.

The Australian dollar is lower after the release of disappointing local jobs figures on Thursday, and after Wall Street was dragged down by the tech stocks.

Oil prices peaked at highs not seen since 2014, built on the ongoing drawdowns in global supply and as Saudi Arabia looks to push prices higher, though US crude gave back gains in the afternoon to

Gold prices dipped on Thursday, breaking a string of gains for four successive sessions, in response to a decline in global political tensions.

Banks face fines up to $210m

The state government has today announced plans for a major upgrade of Hotel Rottnest, while construction of the $20 million Pinky Beach eco village project, being completed by a joint venture between Baileys Group and Discovery Parks, has begun.

Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has said there’s a risk that major energy players may be dissuaded from investing into Western Australia if company tax reform is stalled, as the business closes in on a tolling deal for gas from the Browse field.