Government

The central bank has left interest rates unchanged for a 15th consecutive month, amid expectations inflation will stay low for some time.

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart amid escalating tension in the Middle East and as oil prices lift three per cent to a two-year high.

Oil prices have risen more than 3 per cent, hitting the highest since early July 2015, as Saudi Arabia's crown prince cemented his power over the weekend with an anti-corruption crackdown, while the US rig count fell and markets continue to tighten.

Gold has risen more than one per cent, extending gains as geopolitical risks drove investors to safe-haven assets after the metal's third-straight weekly decline.

Woodside sees holes in gas pipeline plan

The Australian dollar is has resumed its slide against its US counterpart which, after briefly dipping on US jobs data, has continued to strengthen.

Oil prices have risen, with US crude touching a two-year high, strengthening after US rig data suggested drilling in the United States would throttle back.

Gold has fallen to a one-week low as consensus-beating US economic data pushed the US dollar higher, outweighing the impact of a lacklustre jobs report.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher against its US counterpart after the greenback fell following the release of President Donald Trump's tax reform proposal.

Oil prices have edged up, steadying near two-year highs, with the outlook remaining upbeat as OPEC-led supply cuts have tightened the market and drained inventories.

Gold prices have pared gains after touching a two-week high, after Republicans in the US House of Representatives unveil legislation to overhaul the US tax system.

Australia's trade surplus has doubled due to a rise in mining exports that is expected to boost economic growth.

The Australian dollar is higher against a strengthened greenback following strong economic data.

Gold has advanced as traders reposition themselves after the Federal Reserve says it will keep target interest rates unchanged for the time being.

Oil prices have dipped in see-saw trade, hitting their highest in more than two years and then retreating after weekly US government inventory data showed the latest crude stock draw was not as big as an industry trade group had reported.

The Australian dollar has fallen slightly against the US dollar despite there being strong gains on Wall Street overnight.

Iron ore market doesn’t warrant extra supply: Fortescue

Gold prices fell on Tuesday as the US dollar was firm for much of the session and precious metals investors turned cautious ahead of central bank meetings this week, US payrolls data and the announcement of the next US Federal Reserve chair.

Oil prices settled higher again, notching a monthly gain of more than five per cent, but analysts said bullish sentiment that has driven Brent crude to its highest in more than two years could encourage US producers to export more oil.

Western Australia has retained its AA+ credit rating with a negative outlook, S&P Global Ratings confirmed today, as revenue remained a risk to the rating in the future.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has made an emotional plea for gambling revenue to be factored into the GST distribution system, while Western Australians have been warned the state’s share of the revenue could potentially fall to zero if the economy were to return to boom times.

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart.

Brent oil has closed at its highest level since July 2015 and US crude has closed at a peak not seen since February on expectations OPEC-led production cuts would be extended beyond March, although such gains are likely to spur more US production.

Gold has risen ahead of a series of central bank meetings and US President Donald Trump's expected announcement of the next Federal Reserve chair, and amid a slightly weaker US dollar.

Labor has met broad opposition to its call for independent reviews of all future trade deals, with Trade Minister Steve Ciobo saying there are already multiple checks in place and a key union vowing to campaign against to the opposition plan.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is confident wages growth will pick up over the next couple of years as the jobs market continues to strengthen.

The federal government has commissioned ACIL Allen and GHD to study the possible development of a pipeline from Western Australia to the eastern states, one of the critical elements of a possible national gas market.

Gold prices have edged higher, reversing earlier losses after the Catalonian parliament's independence declaration from Spain led investors to seek safety from political upheaval.

The Australian dollar is higher against its rallying US counterpart, as Wall Street equities found fresh record highs on strong company earnings.

Oil prices have jumped about two per cent, with global benchmark Brent crude rising above $US60 per barrel, on support among the world's top producers for extending a deal to rein in output and as the dollar retreated from three-month peaks.

Experts run ruler over pipeline to Eastern States

Fortescue Metals Group, Iluka Resources and Rio Tinto are among the five overall category winners in the 2017 state government’s Awards for Excellence.