Government

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has ruled out Australia pursuing nuclear energy as an increasing number of states open the door to uranium mining.

Australia is ranked 10th in the world for the ease of doing business having jumped five places in the past year.

A modest tightening in the federal government's budget position adds to the case for lower interest rates, but a reduction in November still hinges on another benign inflation reading.

Australia's ability to compete internationally is under pressure as business leaders struggle to engage with Asia.

The federal government has cut by a third the revenue it expects to receive from its controversial mining tax.

The federal government is relying on optimistic economic growth forecasts to return the budget to surplus, a leading economist says.

Western Australia is still the nation's economic powerhouse but a slowdown in the mining sector could lead to weaker spending and a softer jobs market.

Of all the numbers subject to change in the next mid-year federal budget review, it seems pretty safe to say the predicted $1.5 billion surplus for this financial year will remain largely intact.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd says he "hopes" the revamped mining profits tax reaps enough to meet budget forecasts.

The Gillard government has used a draft report into electricity supplies to renew its argument that the carbon tax isn't responsible for the bulk of price hikes.

The federal Treasury anticipates sluggish global economic growth outlook for the next 12 to 18 months, a Senate hearing has been told.

 India's leader has personally praised Prime Minister Julia Gillard for her government's revised stance on uranium sales and has declared a "new chapter" in the bilateral relationship.

The Australian Greens have launched a campaign to protect the nation's natural icons they say are under threat from mining companies and the government.

The state government’s 20 largest capital projects are collectively expected to cost more than double their original estimates, but contrary to popular perception, the construction phase is not the

Australia's economy is growing at a slower-than-normal pace, but is expected to pick up over the next six to nine months.

Business conditions remained positive in September but softer than six months earlier, a survey of mid-sized firms has found.

Police Minister Liza Harvey says $26.5 million for the force's annual budget has been clawed back, despite earlier saying it was "pointless" fighting public sector cuts.

The Colin Barnett-led state government looks set to pick up seats in the March election, which could end the Liberal-National party coalition formed in 2008, a political commentator says.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has shifted its thinking and is no longer so confident of the mining sector's continued strength, economists say.

The head of the federal climate change department says it is "not implausible" the European carbon price could rise to $29 a tonne by mid-2015, when Australia's emissions trading scheme begins.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has rejected arguments that the Fed's bold moves to bolster American job growth could have unwanted consequences in emerging markets.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says Australia can't avoid the slowdown in the global economy but the national economic outlook remains strong.

Julia Gillard will seek to improve Australia's troubled ties with India on her first prime ministerial visit to the nation next week.

 Economists doubt a confused set of labour force figures will stand in the way of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cutting the cash rate again at its Melbourne Cup day board meeting in Nove

Economists are expecting the domestic unemployment rate to have risen, confirming fears the job market has weakened in recent months.

A federal parliamentary committee has backed the passing of laws linking Australia's carbon market with Europe's emissions trading scheme from 2015.

Premier Colin Barnett says he has a hard time liking Treasurer Wayne Swan, labelling him "a very nasty politician".

Treasurer Wayne Swan has hailed Australia's new standing as the world's 12th largest economy as a remarkable achievement.

The International Monetary Fund has made across-the-board cuts to its world economic growth forecasts, saying "uncertainty weighs heavily on the outlook".

Australia's experience in dealing with its challenging farming environment means it's well placed to lead improvements in global food security, Foreign Minister Bob Carr says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the time has come for Australia and Japan to "seal the deal" on a free-trade agreement that has been more than five years in the making.

Police Minister Liza Harvey insists that the state government is on track to boost force numbers, despite deep budget cuts and a public service staff freeze.