Government

Small businesses remain pessimistic about trading conditions, with concerns about the Chinese and European economies and the high Australian dollar hurting confidence.

Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury has defended the federal government's decision to set up a business tax working group, even though it failed in its mission.

The employment outlook may not be as bleak as some forward indicators suggest, with a new report predicting 137,000 jobs will be added to the economy by August next year, led by demand in the minin

The federal government has appointed Chris Jordan as commissioner of taxation for a seven-year term starting in January 2013.

The value of Western Australia’s listed companies continued to rise in October, despite mixed global sentiment, a new report says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard stands by forecasts for the budget to return to surplus but says she is concerned about the implications for the Australian economy from the "fiscal cliff" in the Unite

A third of Australian businesses face a "short fuse, big bang" scenario which will offer them little time to adjust to the major changes brought by the digital economy, a new report says.

Budget projections by an independent forecaster that see federal budget deficits for the remainder of the decade are "out of whack" with the views of leading global institutions, Assistant Treasury

Health ministers from Queensland, Victoria and NSW reacted angrily when their federal counterpart gate crashed their media conference in Perth, fuelling a heated argument about state health fu

A push by state governments to lower or scrap the GST threshold on online purchases from overseas would create a level playing field for the country's retailers, a peak lobby group says.

Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says he's determined to work co-operatively with the states to reform the energy market, particularly on expanding the use of gas.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan remains unrepentant about his decision to ask Treasury to cost coalition tax polices, despite opposition criticism that he politicised the department.

Fewer big Australian companies are identifying risks to their business from the carbon tax than was the case last year, a new survey finds.

A private company backed by building magnate Len Buckeridge has accused premier Colin Barnett of making false and misleading statements, after Mr Barnett said the company should drop a $1 billion l

Republican challenger Mitt Romney has conceded the United States Presidential election to Democratic incumbent Barack Obama.

Skilled workers in Australia's eastern states view a move west as akin to relocating overseas, with the cost of living, social isolation and remote job locations compounding reasons why they're sta

On the day the Melbourne Cup runs 30 minutes after the reserve bank announces its interest rate decision, overseas travel figures are never going to make anyone sit up and take notice.

Treasury has costed three coalition policies and assessed their impact on businesses at the request of the federal government.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says the government will not change the goods and services tax because doing so would hit battlers hard.

 A two year low in job advertisements data shows Australia's labour force is still under strain, and could prompt the central bank to cut rates at its meeting tomorrow.

The Reserve Bank of Australia might still keep its finger off the interest rate button despite a private sector survey showing slower growth in consumer prices.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has warned that the debt-crippled country could be forced out of the euro if parliament fails to approve a new round of austerity measures needed for a lifeline

A leading industry group has warned that Australia will need to raise taxes in the future to avoid the European-style problems of debt and deficits.

A federal coalition government would scrap both the carbon and mining taxes and therefore some of its own plans would have to be delayed, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Australia needs to prepare for the next mining boom by giving tax breaks to start-up resources companies, the head of the nation's stock exchange says.

Australian companies are feeling the squeeze from higher operating costs, but relatively weak product prices, economists say.

Peter Tinley, who was once touted as a future state Labor leader, has quit as an opposition spokesman after a company that his wife is linked to went into receivership.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says the latest jobless figures from Europe are a stark reminder of the difficult conditions in the global economy.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has been accused of ditching Liberal party values and sanctioning muckraking against Prime Minister Julia Gillard as Labor continues to seek the political upper hand a

The federal government is facing a revolt of independent MPs that could jeopardise its ability to return the budget to surplus this financial year.

The agribusiness sector has welcomed the passing of legislation to fully deregulate the wheat industry through federal parliament’s lower house, thanking those politicians that sided with Labor for

Premier Colin Barnett was not amused by the gift of a train shaped cake from union officials to welcome him to his refurbished $26 million offices in Perth.