It should no longer be compulsory for members of the Labor Party to join a union and every supporter should be able to join up with one click of a computer mouse, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says.
Federal MP Clive Palmer has strongly indicated his party won't support the Abbott government's climate change direct action plan, labelling it a "token gesture" and a waste of money.
The City of Subiaco has rebuffed a proposal from the City of Perth to incorporate its key commercial landmarks into the capital city borders while avoiding low-density residential areas.
Western Australian households will be slugged by next month's state budget because the government "maxed out" spending on big projects and increased public sector wages, the new treasurer warns.
Labor's Louise Pratt has conceded defeat in the Western Australian Senate election re-run, while blasting the party for allowing her to be dumped from the top spot on its WA senate ticket.
Interest rates look set to stay put while the Reserve Bank of Australia waits to see what effect the stubbornly high currency will have on Australia's economic growth.
Dio Wang will resign as managing director of mining explorer Australasian Resources before taking up his Western Australian Senate seat for the Palmer United Party.
Under-fire Western Australian senator-elect Joe Bullock says he was surprised when a key union affiliated with Labor said he should step down over controversial comments, labelling the attack "wrong" and "silly".
The Economic Regulation Authority has called for an end to the Royalties for Regions program and the abolishment of domestic gas reservation and the Keystart housing scheme, while also pushing for major payroll tax, land tax and stamp duty reforms.
The Department of Health failed to properly assess its ability to commission Fiona Stanley Hospital on time prior to signing a $4.3 billion facilities management contract with Serco, according to a report by a parliamentary committee.
Department of Regional Development director-general Paul Rosair will step down from the post later this year after spearheading the Royalties for Regions scheme for the last five years.
Premier Colin Barnett has launched a blunt attack on the gas industry, saying it doesn't understand Australia, had left his government swinging “high and dry” and needed to do more for the domestic market.
China's economic growth will slow slightly in 2014 but the nation remains the key to the fortunes of the East Asia Pacific region, a new World Bank report says.
Key Labor figures have backed a call by Bill Shorten to allow non-union members to join the party and overhaul the way candidates are selected but the opposition leader is likely to face some resistance, with union chiefs wary of the reform.
Western Australian voters will return to the polls tomorrow for a Senate election re-run which could have major consequences for the federal government's legislative agenda.
Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens has urged the federal government to take a longer term view on budget outcomes, echoing similar sentiments from Treasury Secretary Martin Parkinson.
The federal government could take a fresh look at negative gearing rules in the May budget to help balance the books and make housing more affordable and accessible.
The parties gearing up to contest Saturday's WA Senate election re-un have expressed alarm at reports 75 pre-poll votes were allegedly cast into an unsecured polling box in the lead up to the poll.
More job losses are on the cards in the eastern states, with BP closing its Bulwer Island refinery in Brisbane and cigarette maker Philip Morris closing its Australian manufacturing operations.
A report by the Auditor General has found one in 10 government agency invoices were paid later than the required 30 day period, raising concerns of further pressure on small businesses.
Former Treasurer Troy Buswell has been charged with 11 traffic offences in connection with an early morning incident in Perth's western suburbs in February.
