Government

Independent senator Nick Xenophon is worried Woolworths selling its 85 cent homebrand bread could spell a death blow to independent retailers.

Slashing tax deductions for property investors would erode housing affordability and drive up rents, a new report says.

Joe Hockey insists the states will get money from a $5 billion infrastructure building initiative "no matter what".

The forced merger of Perth's local councils shouldn't lead to higher rates, Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett claims.

Australia's longest-serving treasurer warns the country's luck is beginning to run out as wages fall and consumer pessimism grows.

The Western Australian government is poised to announce more cost-cutting measures as lower iron ore prices threaten to punch a big hole in the state's bottom line.

Australia's economy is expected to pick up pace in early 2015 as consumers become more confident and start spending again.

The City of Canning has been sacked by the Western Australian local government minister and replaced by a panel of three commissioners until a new council is elected in October 2015.

Taxpayers have been burnt by the Western Australian government after it paid $30 million upfront for dozens of luxury apartments it cannot sell, the opposition says.

High tuition fees and living expenses could place Australia's reputation as an education destination for international students in jeopardy, according to global research from HSBC.

The transition of the Western Australian economy is under way amid strong population growth, according to recent research from the Committee for Perth.

Disputes over public sector pay rises have contributed to a significant increase in the number of working days lost to industrial action in WA.

A former National Australia Bank employee and a public servant have pleaded guilty to a $7 million insider trading scheme.

Treasurer Joe Hockey says the G20 is close to putting together a set of measures that will help lift global growth by a further two per cent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is confident business investment will increase in the coming months, but is still not offering any hints on the timing of its next interest rate move.

Consumer confidence has dipped to its lowest level in more than a month despite an improvement in the unemployment rate.

Australian house price rises are among the highest in the world, but a new report warns homes here could be overvalued.

An affordable housing development in Fremantle is no longer certain to proceed due to the federal government's scrapping of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

The federal government has raised the National Terrorism Public Alert level from medium to high based on advice from security and intelligence agencies, but says it was not based on knowledge of a specific attack plan.

The Western Australian premier has turned his attention to "rogue" sharks that linger around an area for a long time after admitting last summer's baited drumline program wasn't targeted enough.

The federal government has had to accept some significant amendments to its bill to repeal the mining tax, including a review into the creation of an ‘Australia Fund' and changes to superannuation increases legislated by the previous government.

The continuing strength of the Australian dollar and flat-to-falling commodity prices remain concerns for the economy.

Plans to extend Western Australia's controversial shark cull policy by three years have suffered a blow after the Environmental Protection Authority rejected the trial.

The state opposition has pounced on apparent cracks in the alliance between the Liberals and Nationals after junior coalition party members crossed the floor on the issue of forced council mergers.

A record jump in the number of people with jobs has surprised economists and sparked questions about the accuracy of the figures.

The unemployment rate is expected to ease from its 12-year high in August but could remain stuck around 6 per cent for some time.

Concerns about the federal budget are back and weighing on consumer confidence.

Labor will not stand a candidate in the seat of Vasse, which was left vacant when former Western Australian treasurer Troy Buswell quit politics.

FEATURE: If the adage ‘three strikes and you're out' applied to the gold mining industry, the curtains would already have been drawn; but some determined locals are fighting on.

A new survey has cast doubt on Joe Hockey's claim that workers will pocket the frozen increases to compulsory employer superannuation contributions.

The federal government's RET review has polarised opinion on the future of renewables in Australia.

Western Australia has "won the argument" about the GST revenue distribution but is yet to see any change, Premier Colin Barnett says.