Government

Local communications and lobbying firm Cannings Purple has boosted its team by signing up former Environmental Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel and former state Liberal leader Matt Birney.

Fast-growing digital media company Migme has raised $7 million through a share placement to a Chinese app developer, taking its total capital raisings since listing two years ago to $36 million.

Western Australia's unenviable position as national leader in gender pay gap cannot be explained by the prominence of male-dominated industries, according to new national research.

WA on the outer in BHP's new inner circle

Energy and bank stocks have led Wall Street higher, adding to a rally in the previous session, after strong jobs data dispelled concerns over the health of the US economy.

Gold has rebounded as the US dollar turned lower, shrugging off a turn higher in global shares and better-than-expected US economic data.

The Australian dollar has become the best performing currency overnight and is now targeting 73 US cents after surprisingly positive growth data.

Private health insurers will increase their premiums by more than 5 per cent within weeks after winning approval from Health Minister Sussan Ley.

Canadian policy thinktank the Fraser Institute has ranked Western Australia the best location in the world for mining investment, with Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion today touting the results as a tick of approval for the state government's red tape reduction strategy.

Australia is close to the top of the leader board of advanced economies after unexpectedly posting GDP growth of 3 per cent in 2015.

New round of job cuts looms at Rio

Wall Street has enjoyed its strongest session in a month, led by financial and technology stocks after encouraging US factory and construction data suggested the world's biggest economy was regaining momentum.

The Australian dollar has jumped as optimism reigned overnight, boosting commodity currencies.

Gold has turned lower, as the US dollar and global equity markets rose on better-than-expected US data, fueling speculation the Fed will raise US interest rates.

There are many growth-driving tax reform options still on the table despite the federal government's move away from a GST increase, according to KPMG tax partner Grant Wardell-Johnson.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate unchanged at a record low of 2 per cent for an 11th straight month.

Optus in plan to axe 1000 workers

Wall Street has closed lower, falling out of lockstep with oil prices as energy and healthcare shares lost ground.

The Australian dollar is treading water as markets await the Reserve Bank's board meeting, where interest rates are expected to remain on hold.

Gold has risen one per cent, boosted by lower equities and weak US data, leaving the metal well placed to log its best monthly performance in four years as turmoil in wider markets increases its safe-haven appeal.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will join a range of international energy leaders in Perth to open the LNG 18 global conference in mid-April.

Suitors run the rule over Utah Point

The Australian dollar is lower against the greenback, which made broad-based gains on the back of US data.

Gold has fallen more than one per cent, as the US dollar and global shares rose, but fund buying persisted as investors expected a G20 summit would produce little in the way of a co-ordinated stimulus program.

Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour is confident a new two-tier mail system and higher stamp prices will get the organisation back on its feet despite falling letter volumes.

Asset sales are expected to feature heavily when the Barnett government releases its budget in May.

The global LNG market could soon be in sharp oversupply, with Australia contributing about a third of that excess in what will become a buyers' paradise, an international expert says.

Any trade union-backed court challenge to the state government's updated wage policy would result in job losses in the public sector, Treasurer Mike Nahan warned today, as above inflation pay rises would need to be offset through lower staff numbers.

Billions for WA in defence boost

Wall Street has posted solid gains as higher oil prices reduced fears that banks could be hit by debt defaults and investors saw opportunities after weeks of volatility.

The Australian dollar has been pushed higher following a surge in global oil prices.

Spot gold has risen, buoyed by a strong technical formation and the potential for a bullish "golden cross" to form, while the futures market pared losses after feeling earlier pressure from the strong equity markets.