Government

Miners don't need to be told times are tough but they must adapt quickly or perish, says a new report by consultants Deloitte.

When Janet was contacted by an engineer on a dating website last year, she thought she had found a nice, good-looking man who was fascinating to talk to on the phone.

The federal government has abandoned a plan to cut a Medicare rebate paid to GPs for short consultations.

The chances of an imminent interest rate cut are diminishing after a surprise surge in full-time jobs pushed unemployment down to 6.1 per cent in December, with Western Australia being the only exception to the national fall.

Strong migration and a sluggish economy mean it's going to become harder for Australians to find jobs.

The state and federal governments will provide an additional $21.6 million in home and community care funding to Western Australia this year to aid older people and those with disabilities.

A new report by Deloitte has found 37 of the world’s top 250 retailers are now operating in Australia, 23 of which have set up shop in Western Australia.

More jobs are being advertised but it won't be enough to stem Australia's rising unemployment rate, economists say.

A third of Australia's small and medium-sized businesses plan to cut jobs over the next 12 months as they lose confidence in the economy.

Trade minister Andrew Robb insists Australia won't be rushing to sign a free trade agreement with India just for the sake of a deal.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has defended the viability of Western Australian manufacturing in global markets and has called on the government to remove barriers to innovation and growth to capture international opportunities.

The number of luxury cars sold in Australia hit record highs last year as the number of passenger and light commercial vehicle sales declined, according to CommSec's analysis of national sales data.

Borrowers are leaping at the chance that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut its cash rate this year, with more of them looking for better home loan deals.

Local government minister Tony Simpson has suspended the Shire of York's president and councillors for six months and has appointed former South Perth mayor James Best to oversee the local council.

National car sales dropped in 2014, with Western Australia experiencing by far the biggest slide of all of the mainland states.

Tony Abbott has again vowed there will be no changes to the GST before the next federal election.

Rising iron ore exports have delivered a better-than-expected trade deficit for Australia, despite the continued slide in commodity prices.

After enjoying some pre-Christmas price cheer, shoppers are in for a shock in the new year.

Farmers and Labor are on the same side when it comes to broadening the GST to fresh food.

The state government has split the advisory roles for the first tranche of its asset sales program as it starts a sell down process that it hopes will relieve its difficult budget position.

The impact of falling export prices has been revealed in Canberra's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, as the federal government pushes the return to surplus out until the end of the decade.

Western Australian businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about the economic outlook over the next 12 months, according to the latest Westpac/Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA report.

The state government will hit the business sector with increased payroll tax bills and make further cuts in public sector spending after confirming that its annual budget will plunge to a $1.29 billion deficit in the current financial year.

The international stage has helped this year’s local business and political leaders stand out from the pack – including our Person of the Year, Richard Goyder.

The federal government’s Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption has recommended criminal charges against a number of officials from the CFMEU and Health Services Union, while the government has also released terms of reference for a review of the country’s workplace relations framework.

Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos has resigned from the ministry today, and the decision is expected to trigger a ministerial reshuffle.

Western Australia led the nation in population growth in the 12 months to June 2014, but the state has experienced the slowest growth rate in eight years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The falling Australian dollar may take expected interest rate cuts off the table next year, National Australia Bank chairman Michael Chaney says.

Plans to upgrade a major Perth highway using proceeds from a trucking toll have drawn widespread criticism, with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Labor Party and the Greens all finding fault with the project and its funding.

Flight Centre shares have dived by more than nine per cent after the travel agency issued a surprise profit warning.

Grab your wheelbarrow and shovel.

The federal government will not make changes to the GST this term despite a recommendation from an independent economic body, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has indicated.