Government

The resources industry is urging the federal government to tread carefully as it attempts to plug holes in its budget, due to be handed down early next week.

There are even less inflation hurdles for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut the cash rate further, if need be.

Business groups have welcomed the industrial relations policy package announced this week by federal opposition leader Tony Abbott but most have lobbied for the coalition to go much further.

Western Australian households face an extra $218 a year in fees and charges as Treasurer Troy Buswell warned of a “significant erosion” of the state’s revenue base.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says his industrial relations policy will protect the pay and conditions of workers and offer them access to flexibility arrangements.

Further interest rates cuts appear less likely following another surprise surge in employment.

Western Australia's top judge says he has "serious concerns" about the state's attorney-general decision to stop a project that would have allowed the Supreme Court to stream cases online in r

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it's not the amount of government spending that is putting pressure on the budget, but the lack of tax money coming in.

Premier Colin Barnett continues to hope Commonwealth funding will be forthcoming for the state government's rail plans, despite its historical backing of roads.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Labor's decision to dump a tax cut funded by its carbon pricing regime shows next week's federal budget can't be trusted.

The lead-up to an election is not the right time to debate the federal government's national disability care scheme, Premier Colin Barnett says.

The federal opposition has accused Labor of ripping off Australian taxpayers after it confirmed it would "defer" tax cuts linked to its carbon pricing regime.

The Gillard government’s inflammatory rhetoric on skilled migration and supposed widespread abuses of the 457 visa scheme still rankle.

Australia could revive its struggling cattle industry and improve animal welfare standards by processing meat at home instead of continuing live exports, the Australian Greens say.

Premier Colin Barnett he feels he's been under siege by the federal Labor government.He says he hopes a government led by Tony Abbott could be a bit more flexible.

The last thing we need ahead of the federal election is the major parties promising to outspend one another, but that’s probably what we’ll get

The federal opposition doubts new revenue projections for Labor's mining tax, after an independent body said it would raise just $800 million in its first year.

Western Australia’s peak industry lobby group has repeated its call for the federal government to come up with credible evidence to support its proposed changes to the 457 visa program for temporar

The Heart Foundation has launched a government-funded scheme designed to help Western Australian businesses promote healthy lifestyles among their employees.

Shedding light on the social impact of Western Australia’s remarkable growth will be a priority focus for the new economics research centre at Curtin University.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she will introduce legislation to increase the Medicare levy to support Labor's national disability care scheme to be voted on by MPs later this month.

The Australian economy faces a pothole in economic growth because non-mining investment is not adequate to fill the gap left by the fast-fading resources investment boom, an independent forecaster warns.

Premier Colin Barnett has again baulked at signing up to the national disability care scheme, saying the increased Medicare levy is the "easy" part of funding the plan.

There are plenty of theories floating around today as to why the Australian Government has failed so badly at managing its finances but behind the politics is a simple fact; it has never understood that business creates wealth and jobs, not government.

Finance Minister Penny Wong has indicated the government is considering imposing a levy to fund its national disability insurance scheme.

The prime minister’s aid package for farmers has carried the day when compared to the Barnett government’s more modest offering.

Claims of 457 visa rorts are just a desperate attempt by the federal government to draw attention away from its border protection failures, the opposition says.

Leading Australian economist Ross Garnaut has told a Senate committee that the mining tax is highly flawed and may never raise any revenue in its current form.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the May budget will be more about the economic challenges facing the nation, rather than the upcoming federal election.

Clive Palmer wants to be prime minister and his candidates are coming to a seat near you.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's "fair dinkum" paid parental leave scheme could be heading for the scrap heap, if corporate Australia has its way.