Government

The latest round of national research grants has once again highlighted the University of Western Australia as the state's leading research institution, with Curtin University of Technology following close behind.

Auditor general Colin Murphy tabled a report in parliament today that showed that while the royalties for regions program had provided substantial infrastructure and services to regional Western Australia, it is still unclear whether they are delivering their intended outcomes.

More than 4,100 Western Australians will take part in the federal and state government versions of disability care, which will run in conjunction from next week.

Australia needs to have a grown-up conversation about the GST if the states are expected to fulfil their responsibilities.

Welfare cuts due to come into effect next week are in limbo with the federal government conceding it has run out of time to pass the measures through parliament.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman has appointed Paul Whyte to the position of acting director general at the Department of Regional Development.

Economy-wide spending has fallen, weighed down by weaker consumer confidence brought about by the tough federal budget.

Rail operator Asciano will cut back about 500 jobs in order to reduce costs by $90 million.

Western Australia has maintained the country's fastest annual population growth rate of 2.9 per cent, however the rate of growth has slowed compared with last year's figures.

The competition watchdog is taking legal action against Virgin Australia and Jetstar, accusing them of slapping hidden fees on passengers seeking discount airfares.

Fallen former Treasurer Troy Buswell could be forced to pay the $14,700 damage bill for his crashed ministerial car, the premier says.

The establishment of a Southern Ports Authority has been postponed after the state government confirmed that three new regional port authorities will commence operations from July 1.

The federal government's plan to axe the mining and carbon taxes may dominate the mainstream headlines in terms of resources sector policy, but it's a lesser-known incentive that has the industry on tenterhooks.

The federal budget changes to higher education have yet to go to the Senate, but WA's universities are considering their options.

The federal government is to model the impact of fuel tax rises after concerns were raised in the coalition party room.

Treasurer Joe Hockey is confident Australia can avoid the 6.25 per cent jobless rate predicted by Labor.

Australia's jobless rate has remained steady, with the number of people dropping out of the labour market offsetting a fall in how many people are employed.

Western Australian Senator Michaelia Cash has defended the government's paid parental leave scheme as several Nationals senators say they will vote against it.

Rabia Siddique has left a successful legal career to focus on a passionate pursuit of equality.

Liberal backbencher Rob Johnson is not at risk of being expelled from the party, Premier Colin Barnett says.

A fall in consumer confidence in Western Australia is further evidence that federal and state budgets have hit taxpayer sentiment hard, Member for Perth Alannah MacTiernan says.

Premier and Science Minister Colin Barnett has appointed Peter Klinken as the new chief scientist of Western Australia.

Falling prices for coal and iron ore have seen Australia's trade balance fall into the red following five consecutive months of surplus.

Premier Colin Barnett continues to beat the drum for the state's fair share of GST, calling for more of his federal counterparts to stick up for the west.

Australia's economy grew at its fastest pace in two years during the March quarter, boosted by a big surge in mining exports.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 2.5 per cent, as the local economy shows signs of improvement.

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Atlas Iron managing director Ken Brinsden has called on opposition leader Bill Shorten to come up with an alternative to the Mineral Resources Rent Tax if Labor continued to block its repeal.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has warned that Australia must not fall into a trap of thinking that it can only benefit from a guaranteed peaceful rise of China as the world's largest economy and a superpower.

Business investment has fallen for the second quarter in a row, weighed down by big falls in mining investment.

Full details of the federal government's paid parental leave scheme will be released when negotiations with the states have been completed, a Senate estimates hearing has been told.