Government

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.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his government would have the numbers to vote down a no-confidence motion in the House of Representatives, as the seat of New England heads to a by-election after a High Court ruling that Barnaby Joyce had been ineligible for election.

Laws enabling the state government to dump a councillor who acts improperly will be introduced in parliament this year, and be drafted to allow for Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to be dealt with retrospectively, Premier Mark McGowan says.

Exports through Port Hedland could reach 700 million tonnes per annum within a decade, contributing an extra $4.8 billion to Australia's GDP, according to a report by ACIL Allen, as debate continues about the impact of iron ore dust on the nearby township.

Australia's inflation rate lifted at a lower-than-expected rate in the September quarter, after a collapse in fruit and vegetable prices offset an upward surge in electricity costs.

Perth's new acting lord mayor, Jemma Green, has vowed to return stability to council following Lisa Scaffidi's agreement to step aside from the top job while she appeals an 18-month disqualification.

Local small and medium businesses are the most confident they have been about the future of the economy since late 2010, according to a new report.

Subiaco-based Small Business Matters is hoping the 'buy local' message of its new online portal will resonate with consumers ahead of Small Business Day this Saturday.

Western Australian retailers have a positive view of business conditions in the year ahead, according to a recent survey by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, with one third expecting an improved market in the 2018 financial year.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to increase GDP growth by an additional 1.5 per cent per annum until 2035, according to research by consultancy Accenture.

Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has accused the WA Labor party of running a four-year campaign against her with the backing of two of her strongest critics on council.

Crown Resorts has hit back against Andrew Wilkie with an open letter accusing the federal independent MP of playing political games by alleging misconduct at Crown's Melbourne casino.

The state-owned Southern Ports Authority has cut its annual operating costs by about $7 million since its three component ports were amalgamated in 2014, according to its annual report.

OPINION: It will be every state for itself when the Productivity Commission's report into the GST distribution is released in January.

Defence contractor L3 Oceania, formerly known as Nautronix, has won a $2.9 million innovation contract from the federal government's Defence Innovation Hub.

OPINION: It has been three decades since I lost my first job, almost before I had started it, as the implications of the Black Monday stock market crash became clear to my employer.

Western Australia's unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points last month, putting it among the top performing states for annual employment growth, according to new data.

Western Australian public servants have accepted a two-year pay deal with the state government, despite it breaking a pre-election promise for a 1.5 per cent a year deal.

The Western Australian opposition will not block the Labor government's proposed payroll tax increase, despite describing it as a broken election promise and predictions it will cost over 1,300 jobs.

Western Australian Energy Minister Ben Wyatt has opened the door for a potential state-based renewables target after the federal government confirmed a major change in energy policy today.

The volume of freight through Fremantle Ports has remained static for the third year running, raising further questions about when the proposed outer harbour development at Cockburn Sound will be needed.

The state government has been encouraged to follow the lead of NSW and South Australia and privatise its land registry agency, Landgate, which posted a net profit of $20.1 million last financial year.