Government

Western Australian businesses borrowed more last year than at any time since the GFC, with commercial finance up 14.9 per cent to $44.8 billion on the previous year’s figure, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Mobile phone and internet covering across regional Western Australia is set to get a boost with 22 sites prioritised for the construction of 85 mobile phone towers, through the state government’s $45 million regional telecommunications project.

The state government is seeking expressions of interest to develop the heritage-listed East Perth power station site into a precinct that includes a mix of living, working and leisure opportunities.

The regulation of potato production in WA has the business community bemused at how such an anachronism can survive.

Planned federal government reforms to the ‘significant investor visa’ program risk making the scheme unpalatable to potential migrants, according to 888 Fund managing director John Garland.

Shares in James Packer's Crown casino group have soared despite a 47 per cent slump in first-half profit.

Engineering and construction contractor Decmil Group has posted a 4.9 per cent fall in first-half profit to $24.3 million as a result of lower construction margins in the tough market.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has warned that while Australia's economic fundamentals are strong, it would be irresponsible to assume that performance will last forever.

Iron ore miner and steel company Arrium has slammed the federal government for failing to crack down on the dumping of cheap foreign steel imports.

The government lost the argument on council amalgamations because it was unable to prosecute the case for their alleged benefits.

Gekko Systems co-founder Elizabeth Lewis-Gray has been appointed chair of a new 'mining growth centre', which is part of a $189 million federal government initiative designed to encourage commercially-focused research and development activity.

Federal Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out including the family home in the pension assets test.

Western Australia has one of the highest engagement rates of people aged 15-19 in employment or study, according to the Productivity Commission’s report on government services.

WA outperformed most states in December’s retail spending results, and with an interest rate cut and falling petrol prices, there are hopes of a retail revival.

Western Australia has shifted its focus to early childhood education in what might be the start of a national trend, with the federal government dumping its paid parental leave scheme in favour of childcare policy reform.

The state’s new peak body for renewable energy and energy efficiency, which emerged after the collapse of the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia last year, is set to establish its leadersh

Facing a slowdown in mining-related construction work, indigenous contractors are diversifying into new fields, establishing joint ventures and highlighting their Aboriginal credentials. Click through to also see our BNiQ list of 25 major indigenous contractors in WA.

Western Australia’s listed money managers had a strong 12 months to June 2014, but face a challenge to repeat that performance in 2015.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens has warned that interest rate cuts may not have the same impact on growth as in the past.

Councils won't get a single cent of compensation for the Western Australian government's failed amalgamation plans.

The national unemployment rate has shot up to a 12.5-year high, increasing the chances of a second Reserve Bank interest rate cut in March.

A remarkable similarity is evident in the leadership styles of Australia’s past three prime ministers.

The state government has introduced a new rebate scheme for people who purchase a block of land in one of 40 land estates across regional Western Australia.

Home owners enjoyed another good year in 2014, with home prices rising on average almost $11,000 across the eight capital cities, however Perth prices were largely flat.

Premier Colin Barnett says the state government will turn its attention to expanding the boundaries of the City of Perth, after he conceded his plan to halve the number of local governments in the

China is looking to export railways and power plants to improve its external position, with the added benefit of stoking steel demand.

Significant hurdles remain in meeting both government and consumer demand for urban infill developments.

Tony Abbott has survived a Liberal party room leadership spill, but his standing as prime minister has taken a battering.

The number of super funds in WA may be in decline, but those that have stayed have grown substantially.

Western Australian gold producers are enjoying a bright start to 2015 as the domestic price of the precious metal surges higher.

Two Western Australian Liberal members of parliament, Luke Simpkins and Don Randall, have announced they will move a motion to vacate the Liberal Party’s leadership, while Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he and deputy Julie Bishop would urge the party room to defeat the motion.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut its forecasts for economic growth as a pick-up in non-mining investment takes longer than earlier expected.