Government

The S&P 500 has closed at its highest level of the year after the US Federal Reserve left interest rates untouched and signalled fewer rate hikes in coming months.

Gold has rallied two per cent to $US1,260 an ounce, turning higher after the Federal Reserve indicated that the United States continues to face risks from an uncertain global economy, pressuring the US dollar.

Troy Buswell's chief of staff Rachael Turnseck engaged in misconduct when she gave misleading information to a Western Australian government inquiry into his 2014 car crashes, the corruption watchdog has found.

Small business will be better protected against the misuse of market power by bigger players under new changes to competition law, which has been criticised by the Business Council of Australia and Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder.

The University of Western Australia will proceed with its renewal program, including the consolidation of eight faculties into four, after a previously announced move to reduce staff was halted by industrial action.

The sale of the former Swan District Hospital site moved a step forward today as the state government opened expressions of interest in the old hospital as part of its land asset sales program.

Western Australian opposition leader Mark McGowan says his time at Labor's helm will be "finished" if he fails to win the next election.

Startup companies will get a leg-up under government tax breaks to encourage risk taking.

Jobs at risk as brickmaker pays double the freight

Mining giant BHP Billiton has called for tax and workplace reforms in Australia, wading into the ongoing political debate ahead of the federal election later this year.

Healthcare and materials stocks have pulled Wall Street lower in a second straight day of quiet trading as investors cautiously awaited news from the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.

The Australian dollar is continuing to slide as oil prices sink.

Gold has fallen to its lowest in almost two weeks ahead of a Federal Reserve statement that is expected to give clues on the pace of future US rate rises.

Western Australian opposition leader Mark McGowan has been given the blessing of caucus after Stephen Smith's failed tilt to topple him.

Dick Smith brand to be resurrected by e-commerce pioneer

Wall Street has closed little changed in light trading as consumer discretionary gains countered losses in energy shares and investors laid low ahead of a US Federal Reserve meeting.

The Australian dollar has slipped on the back of an oil price slump.

Gold has turned lower and fallen below $US1,240 an ounce, as stock markets and the US dollar gained, and investors squared positions ahead of closely watched policy meetings of US and Japanese central banks this week.

The challenge to WA Labor leader Mark McGowan looks all but over, after the shadow cabinet expressed unanimous support and called on Stephen Smith to withdraw immediately.

US co-op joins CBH suitors

The Australian dollar is rallying and there's a chance it could break through the 76 US cents level this week.

Gold has fallen one per cent, as the US dollar rebounded and oil and world stock markets rose, after bullion extended the prior session's gains to a 13-month high touched in early trade after the European Central Bank's announcement of additional easing.

Former federal minister Stephen Smith declared on Sunday he was prepared to take over the leadership of the state Labor Party, but was roundly criticised by supporters of current leader Mark McGowan.

Iron ore miners will be aiming to keep costs down as uncertainty over currency and oil prices, and falling demand, continue.

The state government and land developers should work together to source private investment for future transport projects, according to ‘entrepreneur rail model’ advocate, Peter Newman.

Unions gear for WA power fight

Gold has rebounded by more than one per cent as the euro bounced back from a six-week low against the US dollar after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi indicated further interest rate cuts in the eurozone are unlikely.

The Australian dollar is lower, after gaining for more than a week, amid a strong euro rally.

US stock indexes have ended a volatile session little changed after the European Central Bank reduced interest rates but ECB chief Mario Draghi confounded investors who expected multiple rate cuts by saying more were unlikely.

There’s a world of difference between the conventional business model and the strategy of startups, starting with how ideas are dealt with.

Privately owned Perth company Eclipse Resources is facing a bill of more than $10.5 million after losing a challenge to the state government’s landfill levy.

Blackburne managing director Paul Blackburne was last night named the 2016 Business News 40under40 First Amongst Equals, ahead of a talented and diverse field of candidates.