Government

The state government expects to reap inabout $1 billion in revenue after signing a development agreement with the Woodside Petroleum-led Browse consortium to supply 800 perajoules of gas to the domestic market.

New research from publication The Economist indicates China will be the world’s largest economy by 2026, with a forecast nominal GDP nearing $US30 trillion, and predicts the rise of Asian nations will drastically affect global politics.

The state government has provided a further $4.6 million for drilling and prospecting activities at 44 projects in Western Australia, including Fortescue Metals Group’s Trifecta base metals project.

The state government has stopped funding the only part of its shark hazard mitigation strategy that makes sense, the state opposition and Greens say.

Federal Labor has agreed to back what it once labelled Tony Abbott's bowser bandit tax by reversing its opposition to indexation of the fuel excise.

The state government has appointed Donald Mackay-Coghill as chairman of Gold Corporation and Richard Hayes as chief executive, effective from next month.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has been selected as one of 10 organisations to provide business advice as part of the federal government’s new entrepreneurs infrastructure program.

China won’t be able to sustain the economic growth rates of the past decade despite some positive signs emerging from our largest trading partner, economist Saul Eslake told a WA Mining Club lunch in Perth last week.

The federal government plans to use $800 million previously earmarked for Queensland infrastructure to develop Western Australia and Northern Territory projects as well.

A damning report detailing corruption in the state authority tasked with prosecuting such misconduct is a reminder of the importance of oversight, an upper house MP says.

Member for Perth Alannah MacTiernan has accused the federal and Western Australian governments of trying to prevent scrutiny of the $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link.

The Australian dollar could fall below US70 cents next year as capital inflows subside, economist Saul Eslake told a WA Mining Club lunch in Perth yesterday.

Australia has formalised the most liberal trade deal China has with any country.

Maverick Liberal backbencher Rob Johnson says "emperor" Colin Barnett can't dictate who the party endorses.

There are almost 70,000 millionaire households in Western Australia, according to a study to be released by Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre today.

The long-awaited free trade agreement between Australia and China will be signed at a time when community concerns about Sino investment is on the rise.

Speculation is mounting that Labor's state secretary in Western Australia is being ousted from the role before his contract ends.

The number of small business operators in Western Australia has risen by 5.8 per cent over the year to February, well ahead of the national average of 1.4 per cent, the Bankwest Business Trends rep

Returns to Western Australia mining, engineering and technical services players operating offshore have been blunted by the falling commodities prices and sovereign risk.

Western Australia’s minerals exploration spending has reached its lowest level since the March quarter of 2007, according to the latest update from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

As a big private company with a healthy balance sheet, BGC Contracting can afford to be strategic as the commodity cycle turns, according to CEO Greg Heylen.

Small businesses will get a tax cut from July after the Senate passed a budget package with little debate.

Average stamp duty costs have surged by up to a staggering 800 per cent in the past 20 years, a new analysis shows.

The average house price in Perth dropped 2.7 per cent in the March quarter to $535,000, while the national average climbed to almost $660,000.

Engineer, entrepreneur and restaurateur Michael O’Hanlon has declared he will run for the position of Perth lord mayor at the October election, based on an ambitious three-point economic plan for the city.

The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission has raised the state’s minimum wage 2.1 per cent from next month, despite concerns it could hurt an already soft job market.

Construction of the $360 million St John of God Midland Public Hospital has been completed on time and on budget, with Brookfield Multiplex handing the keys to the state government and the hospital operator today.

Claims of a massive cost blowout for Perth's new stadium have been denied by the state government, which says the latest estimate of $1.6 billion simply reflects a different way of presenting the numbers.

The unemployment rate across Australia, and especially in Western Australia, has recorded a surprising fall, with the local number affected by a special adjustment by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Tony Abbott reckons it's hard to pay a Sydney mortgage, even on a cabinet minister's pay packet, one day after Treasurer Joe Hockey said Sydney housing was affordable and advised potential first home buyers to get "a good job that pays good money".

The unemployment rate is expected to have remained steady in May, with job cuts in the coal and iron ore sectors keeping a lid on jobs growth.

Conflict of interest concerns have again been raised about Transport Minister Dean Nalder, this time regarding the contentious $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link.