Government

Two-thirds of voters believe the government is worse under Prime Minister Julia Gillard's leadership than it was two years ago under her predecessor Kevin Rudd.

Finance minister Penny Wong says the outcome of a crucial election in Greece over the weekend will inspire stability in the eurozone.

The outcome of the elections in Greece shows that Greeks are in favour of the deep economic and fiscal reforms required to pull the country out of crisis, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble

After a nationwide search, the state government has announced the appointment of seven Western Australian public servants to head up agencies, including the Department of Water, Department of Comme

You can lead a horse to water, as the saying goes, but you can't make it drink.

Resource Equipment has lowered its profit guidance for this financial year, placing the blame on unexpected delays in major companies’ decision making.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer is yet to officially throw his hat into the ring to take on federal Treasurer Wayne Swan at the next election.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it is understandable that confidence among Australians has been unsettled after living through the biggest global economic downturn since the Great Depression.

A tax expert believes that business has the right to be a little sceptical about the federal government's pledge of a company tax cut when the issue appeared dead just a few weeks ago when the budg

The numbers tell it all - mining employed an extra 58,100 people over the past year while construction cut back by 58,600.

Fresh evidence of "freebies" given to state Health Department staff by pharmaceutical companies has emerged, with the state opposition labelling it an astounding rort.

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder are among seven Western Australian recipients of grants under the federal government’s Community Energy Efficiency program.

Tourism industry heavyweights have slammed the Gillard government's decision to increase the airport departure tax, saying it will cost thousands of regional jobs.

Treasurer Wayne Swan believes the most likely scenario for the European Union is one of "rolling crises and volatility".

The federal government will expand and increase the mining tax if it wins the next election and that could put the Olympic Dam expansion at risk, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

More than two-thirds of large Australian companies are willing to hire foreign workers as the effect of the skills shortage is felt across a broad range of industries, a survey shows.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says he believes the way the economy adapts to a high Australian dollar will determine success across a range of industries.

Consumer optimism has grown only slightly, despite another official interest rate cut, a private study shows.

The mining boom is not to blame for Australia's multi-speed economy, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens says.

A faster than expected slowdown in China poses a risk for the rest of the region, in particular commodity-dependent countries such as Australia, the World Bank says.

Business conditions in Australia have fallen to their lowest point in three years, according to a monthly private survey.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has dismissed criticism that an economic forum the government is hosting in Brisbane is just another talkfest.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has urged Liberal premiers in Queensland and Western Australia to attend a major federal government economic forum, despite the mining boom state leaders

Finance Minister Penny Wong has poured cold water on a union push to co-invest in manufacturing and other ailing sectors.

The current treatment of mining royalties under the Minerals Resource Rent Tax is unsustainable, and should be addressed by a reduction in royalties with offsetting increases in Commonwealth paymen

The federal opposition appears to have two different messages when it talks about the Australian economy.

Commodity prices and Chinese growth are still affecting Australia's trade story, but improvement could be on the way, economists say.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition LEader Tony Abbott are on rare common ground, both ruling out an extension of the GST.

Western Australia is divided over the state government’s $560 million Elizabeth Quay foreshore plan, with less than half of respondents to a new opinion poll saying they support the development.

Independent MP Janet Woollard has agreed to pay $250,000 to settle boat-crash victim Kate Campbell's civil action against her son, Luke.

Former Greens leader and outgoing senator Bob Brown has compared the fight over a proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub with his successful Franklin River dam campaign.

Australia's unemployment rose to 5.1 per cent in May, official figures show, while Western Australia’s jobless rate was steady at a nation-low 3.8 per cent.