Government

The Australian dollar is steady against the greenback which has slipped on uninspiring US growth and continued political uncertainty.

Gold prices have risen to a six-week high after weaker-than-expected US inflation dampened expectations that the US Federal Reserve will aggressively raise interest rates and North Korea fired a ballistic missile, triggering safe-haven buying.

Oil has ended its strongest week this year with a surge built on receding fears of oversupply, as US crude came within striking distance of $US50 a barrel for the first time since the end of May.

OPINION: With federal governments seemingly in campaign mode 24-7, calls for fixed four-year terms for the House of Representatives make sense.

Business needs to be unshackled from red tape to compete with technology, while lower tax would boost wages growth, Richard Goyder told today’s Success & Leadership breakfast.

Chinese demand for Australian natural resources could be on a longer-term path of slow growth, although a major international development project could bring some benefits.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt has all but ruled out the introduction of a bank tax in the September budget but has kept the option open for a future decision, while the industry has called on the state government to protect Western Australia’s economic growth by not bringing in the levy.

Australia's inflation rate has cooled in the June quarter, dragging the annual headline rate below the central bank's target in the 2 to 3 per cent range.

About a quarter of ASX floats in the six months to June were undertaken by Western Australian companies, but the total amount raised is falling according to a new report.

A rising Australian dollar should protect motorists against any nasty surprises at the pump, according to the latest research by CommSec.

SPECIAL REPORT: Ongoing uncertainty over state government policy and a lengthy approvals process are muddying the waters for local energy hopefuls.

Western Australia has achieved the unwanted title of Australia's worst performed economy for a fourth consecutive quarter.

Building products company CSR has closed its Jandakot glass factory resulting in the loss of 58 jobs, though growth by competitors including Walshs Glass and Tough Glass will mitigate the impact.

The 22-year-old disability advocate set to fill the Greens seat left vacant by Scott Ludlam has vowed to smash stereotypes and represent the interests of the young and disabled in federal parliament.

There are signs of recovery in the local economy, with employment and sales activity numbers showing improved performance in June and a major report predicting further recovery next year.

Darren Foster has been formally confirmed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, making him arguably the state's most powerful public servant, in a move forshadowed by Business News in March.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has dismissed as "complete and utter waffle" Western Australian federal Labor MPs' submission to an inquiry into the GST.

Greens co-deputy leader Larissa Waters has resigned from the Senate after revealing she holds dual citizenship, just days after Scott Ludlam left federal parliament for the same reason.

Tokyo-based Inpex’s Ichthys LNG project will provide a $34 billion boost to incomes in Western Australia across the period to 2050, and generate about $73 billion of tax revenue, according to an economic impact report by Acil Allen Consulting released today.

OPINION: The ball is in Malcolm Turnbull’s court if the Liberals want to shore up seats in WA.

Greens senator Scott Ludlam is leaving federal parliament after finding out he was improperly elected more than a decade ago.

The state government has warned police the public expects them to do their job, as new industrial action started, including officers issuing cautions for minor offences instead of fines.

Sydney-based AGL made its long-awaited entry to the Perth gas market this week, with price cuts and a range of customer incentives underpinning the company’s offering as the sector’s newest player in the domestic gas sector.

End-of-financial-year specials failed to maintain May's positive tone on new car sales for Western Australia, with numbers for June down 5.5 per cent as the financial year ended with a whimper.

State opposition leader Mike Nahan expects former premier Colin Barnett to retire from politics this year but believes he first wants to ensure his legacy is not trashed.

The state government has awarded Geraldton-based social enterprise Pollinators $110,000 in grants to promote startup initiatives in the region.

The business sector has cautiously welcomed an updated list of occupations eligible for skilled migrant visas, which covers more than 200 occupations.

OPINION: The government is finding out the argument that ‘it’s the Liberals’ fault’ will only hold for so long.

Five years after joining Macquarie Group as its Western Australian chairman, Mark Barnaba is leaving to pursue a career as a non-executive director, with his first new role to be on the board of Australia’s central bank.

A quarterly review of the comings and goings of ASX-listed exploration companies by accounting and corporate advisory firm BDO has highlighted a broad recovery in the resources sector, with battery related commodities leading the way.

The City of Perth will increase its rates by 1.5 per cent and has allocated $60.4 million for capital works projects, according to its FY18 budget.

Diggers & Dealers chairman Nick Giorgetta says the forum has been assured by the state government that its August event in Kalgoorlie will go ahead, despite the venue’s sudden closure by the state.