Government

The Australian dollar is lower, extending the losses that started after the release of weaker than expected inflation figures on Wednesday.

Oil prices have rebounded from earlier losses to end higher, after the US Energy Department said oil inventories rose for the first time in nearly three months, but was offset by strong demand for gasoline and distillate products and news that OPEC countries maintained heavy supply cuts in January.

Australia's inflation rate has risen slightly in the December quarter, lifting the annual headline rate closer to the central bank's target range of between 2 per cent and 3 per cent.

The Australian dollar has managed to eke out some small gains despite broad based weakness across US markets and in commodity prices.

Oil prices have fallen for a second day, driven by ongoing evidence of rising US crude output, while wary investors sold off stocks, bonds and commodities.

Perth has been selected to host 11 matches during the International Cricket Council World T20 tournament in 2020, in line with the country's other major cities.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher despite falls on Wall Street overnight.

Oil prices have fallen, pressured by a strengthening US dollar and rising US crude output, but prices remained on track for the biggest January increase in five years.

The end of the mining construction boom continues to cause economic pain for Western Australia but strong employment growth paints a very positive future, according to Treasurer Ben Wyatt.

The business community and unions may both support reducing the gender pay gap, but their divergent approaches to a solution present a stark choice for policy makers, if submissions to a review of industrial relations laws are any guide.

The Australian dollar is unchanged against the US dollar after Wall Street got a boost from healthcare stocks and a solid economic growth data.

Oil prices rose on Friday after hitting fresh three-year highs in the previous session, as weakness in the dollar continued to underpin prices with crude on track for a weekly gain.

Mark McGowan will hope to bask in the warm afterglow of ongoing public approval of the new stadium at Burswood.

The Australian dollar is stronger against the US dollar as the greenback weakened further after the US Treasury Secretary spoke in favour of the trend.

Oil prices rallied on heavy volume, boosted by a record 10th straight weekly decline in US crude inventories, though reduced refining activity and rising production signalled US stocks could rise in coming weeks.

The number of enterprise bargaining agreements active in Western Australia fell to 1,592 at the end of September last year, about 30 per cent down on the mid-2015 peak.

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has disclosed that the review he has requested into Chevron's Wheatstone project was in response to the removal of abatement conditions by the previous government.

The state government has confirmed that a crowd cap will not be required for the Perth Scorchers Big Bash League semi-final at Optus Stadium, with a number of incentives in place to entice 15,000 fans to arrive early.

Chevron said today it was disappointed with the state government's decision to commence a review of greenhouse gas emissions at the company's recently commissioned Wheatstone LNG project.

The state government has signed the stage two agreement for Western Australia's new $428 million museum with managing contractor Multiplex, construction of which is scheduled for completion in mid-2019.

Premier Mark McGowan is confident an attendance cap at Optus Stadium for a potential Big Bash League semi-final will not be required, following yesterday's successful community open day at the 60,000-seat facility.

The Australian share market looks set to open higher despite an uninspiring Wall Street session.

Oil is little changed, after prices ease early in the session, but are supported by a record drawdown of US crude stockpiles at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery hub.

Gold is flat, trading in a narrow range, first dipping as the US dollar rose and then rising as the US dollar moved lower, but bullion's gains were limited by higher US Treasury yields.

Western Australia's unemployment rate has fallen by a surprising 0.9 per cent in the month of December, while job numbers were up for a record-equalling 15th consecutive month nationwide, with economists giving positive assessments of the labour market.

Oil prices have closed higher ahead of the release of US petroleum data that was expected to show a ninth straight weekly drawdown in crude inventories.

Gold prices have hovered near four-month highs as the US dollar slipped against a basket of currencies.

Oil prices have dropped off three-year highs as traders booked profits but healthy demand underpinned prices near $USUS70 per barrel, a level not seen since the market slump in 2014.

The Australian dollar is starting the day just as it left off on Tuesday, amid a slight lift in the US dollar, a fall in commodity prices and little data to influence it.

Gold has slipped from the previous day's four-month high, reflecting losses across the commodities complex as the US dollar claws back some losses the day after hitting a three-year low against a basket of currencies.

The state government will determine the extent of a cap on crowd attendance at Optus Stadium for a potential Big Bash League semi-final after this weekend's community day, which will help it determine the capacity of public transport to move big crowds to and from the 60,000-seat stadium.

The political fallout from China's increasing assertiveness in the region, and the Communist government's role in business, will pose threats and challenges for WA.