Government

It's been the buzz term for the past decade, but the decline in Australia's terms of trade will make it crucial that all the talk about lifting productivity be acted on.

There are further signs the Chinese economy is in recovery mode, with new data showing its manufacturing sector growing for the first time in 13 months - a welcome result for Australia's iron ore a

Western Australia's universities look set to become an election battleground, with Opposition Leader Mark McGowan flagging a plan to give the state's seats of learning more financial and educa

Finance Minister Penny Wong insists the federal government is sticking to its budget surplus strategy despite figures suggesting it's falling short of the target.

A third council has been plunged into crisis within a week, with the Shire of Ashburton in the state's Pilbara region dismissing chief executive Jeff Breen after several complaints from ratepayers.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has taken a bold swipe at the prime minister, accusing Julia Gillard of attempting to start a "gender war".

The Australian Greens have urged Treasurer Wayne Swan to work with them to limit the reimbursement of state royalties to big miners under the federal mining tax.

An interest rate cut in December will give the non-mining sector a boost and support retailers in the lead-up to Christmas, Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes says.

A council in Perth's southeast has been suspended by the state government after a damning report criticised the local mayor's "inappropriate" power and highlighted long-term dysfunction.

Premier Colin Barnett says while he is "sympathetic" towards workers on lower wages in the public sector, he will not be swayed by protesters.

State disability ministers have criticised the lack of flexibility in draft federal legislation to establish a National Disability Insurance Scheme ahead of its planned introduction to parliament n

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott remains at pains to prove he's a hit with the ladies, this time basking in a rapturous reception from Liberal Party businesswomen in Perth's swanky western suburb

The Australian economy will always need guest workers, says Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten.

Australia should set aside enough gas for use by local industries because it would benefit the economy more than by just exporting it, says the local head of Alcoa.

The federal opposition has vowed to use the final sitting week of parliament to pursue Prime Minister Julia Gillard over the Australian Workers Union scandal.

Western Australia's economy continues to drive that of the nation, with official figures released today showing the state grew by a record 6.7 per cent in 2011-12.

Many companies are improving productivity by making greater demands on workers without providing additional resources, a survey has found.

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.