Government

Productivity improvements are crucial for Australia to cope with an ageing population and declining terms of trade if living standards are to be raised, a senior Treasury official says.

Employment in Western Australia's resources sector is expected to peak at 125,000, up almost eight per cent from present levels, according to a new report by the state's Chamber of Minerals an

Chinese property developer Shanghai Zhongfu was today confirmed as the preferred proponent to develop 13,400 hectares of irrigated land in the Kimberley, and has immediately highlighted the substan

 The Reserve Bank of Australia says further rate cuts could be considered in coming months.

The Australian Greens are looking to a plug a hole in the federal government's mining tax that will stop resource companies claiming credits for increased state royalties.

Despite three interest rate cuts since May, consumers aren't spending any more than they were five months ago.

Prince Philippe, the Prince of Belgium, has been urged to jump on board the Western Australian economic juggernaut during his first official day of a trade mission to Australia.

The federal government will release information about the amount of revenue raised by its Mineral Resources Revenue Tax in its regular monthly financial reports, Finance Minister Penny Wo

Conservation groups say today's state government approval of the contentious James Price Point gas project near Broome is a step towards "environmental disaster" and have urged the Commonwealth to

China is on track to become the world's largest generator of nuclear power between now and some time in the 2020s, a senior Rio Tinto executive says.

Proposals to hike health insurance premiums can be blamed to some extent on the federal policy environment, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Former premier Brian Burke will not be allowed to appeal to the High Court against his conviction for giving false testimony to the state's Corruption and Crime Commission.

The Australian dollar is overvalued by as much as 10 US cents and is likely to stay that way for the next couple of years.

 Who would have thought a three-letter acronym could cause so much angst?It's hardly as if making changes to the make-up of the goods and services tax would be a walk in the park.

The head of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) says the federal government needs to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to engagement in Asia.

The International Monetary Fund has given the Australian economy a "big tick" in a new assessment, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Mining boss Andrew Forrest says his High Court challenge against the federal government's mining tax is about conquering evil.

 The state government is facing a massive compensation bill after finally agreeing to total responsibility for the property lost when a prescribed burn got out of control in Margaret River las

Consumers appear less concerned about the inflation outlook, despite recent official price data showing stronger than expected pressures.

 A coalition government would aim to double the rate of small business growth in Australia, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Premier Colin Barnett has defended comments by federal opposition leader Tony Abbott in which he described Liberal MP Ken Wyatt as an "urban Aboriginal".

A slightly weaker-than-expected reading for wage prices in Australia gives few clues on whether the reserve bank will cut its interest rate soon.

Retailers could be in for a better Christmas period following a jump in consumer confidence amid signs that lower interest rates are finally making their mark.

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