Government

On the eve of the state budget, Premier Colin Barnett has foreshadowed program cuts and "revenue measures" as the once-boom state struggles with lower income.

The coalition's plan to cut company tax will boost jobs, opposition leader Tony Abbott says.

The High Court has upheld Labor's controversial Minerals Resource Rent Tax, rejecting a challenge launched by miner Fortescue Metals Group.

The Reserve Bank and currency markets are helping business, but what about Canberra?

The $1 billion Gateway WA roads project is set to proceed to major delivery, with finalisation of the project price, scope of works and construction methodology.

Weak international trade figures and job ads data shows Australian economic transition away from a mining investment boom is not going as smoothly as it could.

If a political leader in election mode was looking for a sensible road project to fund, they could offer to improve the key industrial exit roads heading north out of Perth.

Labor and the coalition are at odds over what an expected interest rate cut means for the economy as the election campaign enters its second day.

Having cleared the decks, Labor has decided the timing's right for the election.

The rate of inflation increased in July but it's still within the Reserve Bank of Australia's two to three per cent target band.

Labor plans to inject an extra $200 million into the car industry and ensure 100 per cent of the commonwealth car fleet is Australian-made.

A tax hike on cigarettes and a levy on bank deposits could be maintained under a federal coalition government.

Kevin Rudd has an image problem – he's too concerned with his image to work at developing good policy.

Business groups believe Treasurer Chris Bowen has missed an opportunity to improve Australia's competitiveness, encourage economic growth and provide jobs.

The Rudd government's revenues have taken a $33 billion hit amid worsening economic conditions.

Tony Abbott has moved to neutralise the issue of education ahead of the federal election by dropping his opposition to the government's school funding plan.

Liza Harvey will become Western Australia's new tourism minister, replacing Kim Hames who was forced to give up the portfolio after admitting an expenses bungle.

The state budget to be delivered on August 8 is expected to remain in surplus, despite the government preparing for a further major reduction in GST revenue.

Treated waste water from toilets, showers and washing machines will be pumped back into the state's water system following a three-year trial.

Finance Minister Penny Wong has declined to say whether or not the government plans to impose a deposit levy on banks, despite a fall in share market values.

Treasurer Chris Bowen says a substantial hike in tobacco excise to raise $5.3 billion for the federal coffers will contribute to the government's planned return to a budget surplus, but more import

The Western Australian opposition has launched a website dedicated to Premier Colin Barnett's broken election promises after he said he didn't believe the community paid much attention to them.

The federal government has eased concerns it was about to plunder the superannuation savings system to help plug financial holes in the budget.

Advocates for local council mergers are in danger of over-reaching when they talk up the anticipated benefits.

The property industry has welcomed the state government's plan to halve the number of metropolitan local government areas, saying larger councils would result in a more robust planning and approval

Australia may be heading towards softer economic growth with interest rates falling to record lows and resources construction activity expected to peak soon.

The treasurer has a four-stage plan to reform what he calls the 'government business model', and ensure the budget stays in the black.

The radical reshaping of Western Australia's local councils has begun, with the state government announcing on Sunday that the City of Perth will more than double in size to include Crown casino, t

Premier Colin Barnett has again warned of a "very tight" budget for Australia's economic golden child, as pressure comes from Defence Minister Stephen Smith to spend money on roads infrastructure.

Whoever wins the federal election will be tasked with managing an economy that can no longer rely on a mining investment boom that has helped extend the nation's unbroken expansion to a staggering

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made a pre-election pitch to union members in his first visit to Perth since dramatically reclaiming the leadership of the federal Labor Party last month.