Former trade minister Richard Marles believes a free trade agreement with China could be finalised within months but warns the Abbott government could face internal opposition from the Nationals.
The City of Perth says Premier Colin Barnett is yet to meet with the council to discuss light rail route options, with key stakeholders in the CBD split on the best option for the proposed project.
CHINA'S economy is perking up. The latest data suggest growth has bottomed after hitting a trough of 7.5 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of the year.
The state government will team up with Woodside Petroleum and Curtin University to develop two new specialist training facilities in the Pilbara as it encourages more people to live and work in the region.
Interim Labor leader Chris Bowen says the series of revelations about Prime Minister Tony Abbott and four other MPs claiming around $20,000 in travel expenses shows a pattern of poor judgement.
US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has warned that Congress is "playing with fire" as Republicans raise the threat of a US default if President Barack Obama refuses to negotiate on spending.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there will be issues negotiating with Clive Palmer and his senators, and has fired a warning shot across the bow of the Titanic II developer.
The declaration of the official senate result in Western Australia has been postponed while the electoral commissioner decides whether to grant an appeal by Greens senator Scott Ludlam and allow a
US stocks have suffered hefty losses as the partial government shutdown dragged through a third day and worries climbed that the budget battle could escalate into a debt default.
Western Australia's payroll tax system is one of the most onerous in the country, according to a review by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has advocated major reform of transfer duties and payroll tax.
Premier Colin Barnett says Rio Tinto's new port expansion in the Pilbara is a sign of confidence in the resources sector which will allow Western Australia to boost its iron ore exports.
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says he'll appeal the Australian Electoral Commission's decision not to conduct a recount of votes for Western Australia's Senate seats.
Perth-based employment services firm Programmed has taken heed of the shift towards online recruitment and invested $5 million into a fledgling digital business.
Senior federal government ministers say any proposal by Indonesia to buy Australian farmland for cattle grazing will be under joint venture arrangements.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has vowed to rebuild confidence between Australia and Indonesian businesses, lamenting that a "mature" economic relationship has not yet been reached.
Former resources minister Martin Ferguson has joined Kerry Stokes' investment company Seven Group Holdings as its head of natural resources and will also chair the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association's advisory board.
The loss of Western Australia's AAA credit rating has played a role in the state government ditching plans for an extra storey at a hospital currently being constructed.
Western Australia's peak industry body has called on the state government to commit to comprehensive tax and regulatory reforms to get the state's economy back on track.
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey says the budget has deteriorated and the projected deficit for this financial year is likely to be worse than Labor's forecast.
