Government

Transport Minister Dean Nalder has highlighted the social benefits of Roe 8 and touted the minimal environmental impact of the project at a lunch today, adding that the link would need to be built regardless of any move to an outer harbour.

The Australian dollar has soared to a nine-month high on the back of the US Federal Reserve's dovish comments about interest rates.

Gold has turned lower, consolidating from a 2.5 per cent surge in the previous session when the Federal Reserve cut the number of interest rate rises it forecasts for this year, sending the dollar sharply lower.

The US dollar index has dropped to a five-month low while shares on Wall Street have rallied to lead global equities higher as a dovish US Federal Reserve emboldened investors to take on more risk.

Telstra mulls Foxtel IPO

Western Australian employment fell in February in seasonally adjusted terms while the unemployment rose slightly to 6.0 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Investment banking giant Credit Suisse has dealt a blow to the state government's hopes of a big windfall from the privatisation of Western Australia's TAB, revising its value estimate down by at least 65 per cent to under $250 million.

The Australian dollar is sharply higher after the US Federal Reserve's dovish tone indicating it expected tepid growth in the world's largest eocnomy.

Woodside takeover hits new legal snag

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.