Government

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is not worried about the latest mining industry campaign against government tax plans.

Australia's trade deficit has shrunk by more than $1 billion and demand for its mineral resources is set to increase as China's manufacturing and services sectors continue to expand.

Revenue from the federal government's controversial mining tax is likely to remain modest unless there is a sizeable spike in coal and iron ore prices.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has homed in on divisions within federal Labor over possible superannuation changes in the May budget.

Resource companies either want the federal government's controversial mining tax scrapped, or left as it is, as Treasury tries to work out how it got its revenue forecasts for the impost so wrong.

Labor leader Mark McGowan has been re-elected unopposed as the party's leader following an embarrassing election defeat last month.

Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan would be the highest-profile casualty as the coalition cruises to victory at the September 14 federal election, according to analysis of recent polling.

The decline in Australia's manufacturing sector has extended into a 14th month as falling selling prices and a strong currency hit hard.

Visitors to the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition on Cottesloe Beach have been slugged more than $100,000 in parking fines, the local council has revealed.

The federal government says any rise in the minimum wage should take account of both the needs of low-income families and the pressures on business.

It's official: Perth is now home to four of Australia's five most advantaged suburbs, and people are flocking to share in Western Australia's wealth boom in record numbers.

Fruit and vegie prices fell in March, but the savings were eaten up by increases in the cost of fuel, alcohol and tobacco.

The coalition will not confirm whether it would reverse a possible Labor raid on wealthy people's superannuation tax concessions.

Federal Labor could lose at least 24 seats at the next election, according to an opinion poll of marginal seats taken for the Australian Financial Review.

Premier Colin Barnett can't promise he'll secure federal infrastructure funding for his election commitments, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's plan to roll back the carbon tax will put the budget's bottom line under pressure, an investment banker says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has left open the possibility the federal government will raid wealthy people's superannuation tax concessions in the May budget.

Superannuation Minister Bill Shorten says people's retirement nest eggs should be "above politics", but the opposition continues to press the government to reveal what changes it intends to make to

Premier Colin Barnett is talking "nonsense" in claiming Gonski education reforms are a power grab by Canberra, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

The federal government is not surprised by another slump in Labor support after what Prime Minister Julia Gillard described as an appalling week for the party.

New resources minister Gary Gray has ruled out any changes to federal Labor's controversial mining tax.

The federal opposition has demanded the government deliver an "honest budget" on May 14, rather than its usual "fudges" and "money shuffling".

Animal welfare protesters calling for a halt to live exports and exporters angry over new supply chain checks will rally outside a community cabinet meeting in Perth.

Gary Gray's appointment to the important resources portfolio has got the nod of approval from the sector.

Western Australian junior minister Gary Gray has been promoted to federal cabinet, taking the pivotal Resources and Energy portfolio in a reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard this mo

The latest leadership spill in Canberra will detract from already low business confidence, the Business Council of Australia says.

Former premier-turned lobbyist Brian Burke has appeared in court again, to face four charges related to insider trading.

Federal Labor's political infighting is a continuing embarrassment to the nation, according to Premier Colin Barnett.

Media companies have welcomed the collapse of the federal government's controversial package of reforms to ownership and regulation in the industry.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says today’s leadership ballot fizzle has resulted in a standoff and not a resolution as trumpeted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The risk of possible tax increases is weighing on business sentiment in the run-up to the May budget, along with a high Australian dollar and difficult circumstances in overseas markets.

Australian businesses are struggling to recruit staff with adequate maths, science, technology and engineering skills, which is stifling productivity and competitiveness, a new industry report says