Government

Two prominent Perth businesswomen have moved on to new government roles, with Heather Zampatti named the new chair for Lotterywest, while Libby Lyons has become a director of the national Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Curtin University will close its Sydney campus in 2017 while education provider Navitas, which manages the campus and delivers the programs, will consolidate its services at La Trobe Sydney.

Mining giant BHP Billiton's chief executive has backed a call for the US to lift its ban on crude oil exports, ahead of a likely vote on the issue in the US Congress.

Meurs out of FMG’s 16m share loan deal

Amid speculation he will be the highest-profile casualty of a ministerial reshuffle the new prime minister will unveil on Monday, Mr Hockey brought to parliament tax-avoidance measures aimed at multinational corporations, and ordered the sale of five additional residential properties unlawfully held by foreign nationals.

China may be top of mind for many businesses, but US investment here speaks volumes about the depth of Washington’s relationship with Australia.

Australia is facing a period of slow economic growth likely to stretch into next year, but that will not necessarily prompt another interest rate cut.

Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer has backed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's vision of a tech-rich Australian economy and says it can help keep the country's slow growth from turning into a recession.

A new report from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre touts diversification of export products and trade relationships as a key part of ensuring the state’s continued economic success.

Malcolm Turnbull has been sworn in as the nation’s 29th prime minister today, after renewing the coalition agreement, pledging a second look at the ‘effects test’ and handing the water portfolio to the National Party.

Newly elected Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister designate Malcolm Turnbull has said he will lead a "thoroughly liberal government", committed to individual freedom and the market, and vowed to carefully explain and consult heavily on policy.

Former Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia needed a leader who respected the people's intelligence and would advocate for economic change, as he announced a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

SPECIAL REPORT: Business News looks at what needs to be done to energize small business during the state's economic transition, reviews the growth of franchises in WA, and looks at the rise of women owning SMEs.

Six years on from the collapse of the big managed investment scheme promoters, stable new ownership and a low currency are boosting the state’s woodchip industry, despite the number of plantation hectares remaining almost unchanged.

The value of Western Australia's resources industry has plunged almost 20 per cent in the past year as iron ore and oil prices slumped.

Employment in Western Australia lifted in August to 1.36 million, adding around 7,000 jobs in seasonally adjusted terms on July, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Joe Hockey believes the Abbott government's economic plan is the best friend of consumers, even as another indicator pointed to tumbling confidence.

The number of home loans approved in July was unchanged in Western Australia, while the national rate rose 0.3 per cent according to seasonally adjusted Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Australians should look beyond their disappointment with recent sluggish economic growth and take heart from the economy's ability to cope with shocks, Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Philip Lowe says.

Independent candidate for the Canning by-election Teresa van Lieshout has had a warrant issued for her arrest after failing to appear in court.

Shipbuilder Austal has shone in the quarterly rebalance of the S&P/ASX indices, while many local miners and contractors have lost their status.

New car sales in Western Australia have continued to lag behind the national trend, with sales down 8.4 per cent in August.

National retail spending has fallen for the first time in over a year, dragged down by a drop in spending on household goods, but WA's retail sector remained strong.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott appears to be laying the groundwork for increasing the GST.

Australia's mining downturn has bottomed out despite ongoing volatility in global markets, Premier Colin Barnett says.

The competition watchdog plans to grant a regulatory exemption to WA Chip & Pulp Co, which will allow the Japanese-owned woodchip exporter to continue its partnership with international grain trader Bunge at the Port of Bunbury.

Falling exports have battered the June quarter GDP growth figures for Western Australia and nationally, but underlying demand increased more in WA than other states.

Dwelling prices rose by an average of just 0.3 per cent in Australia’s capital cities in August, with Perth being one of the poorer performers, with prices down by 1.3 per cent.

The proposed TransPacific Partnership trade agreement would have a major role to play in the development of Western Australia’s post-mining boom economy, according to foreign relations expert Gordo

Port Hedland investors and developers are proving to be resilient and opportunistic, but it remains to be seen how the Pilbara town will successfully diversify from its resources-reliant economy.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA says it will join the campaign to promote the proposed Chinese Free Trade Agreement, because it will provide significant benefits for locally based companies.

Traffic outside the state parliament was brought to a standstill as unions held a rally against the free trade deal with China, saying it will be bad for local jobs and exploit foreign workers.