Government

China has reported a sharp slowdown in exports in May compared to the previous month while imports unexpectedly dropped, as the world's second largest economy grapples with slowing growth and slugg

The United States is unlikely to export much gas from its shale boom to Japan, poising Western Australia as a major supplier to the Asian country over the next decade, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Talk of recession in Western Australia is "ludicrous", according to Treasurer Troy Buswell.

Employers wanting to take on foreign workers on 457 visas will have to undertake labour market testing under legislative changes to the controversial scheme.

The Palmer United Party's Queensland division has been registered under the name United Australia Party, Mr Palmer said in a statement this morning.

The state's leading business group says confidence in the local economy remains on edge, and any significant shift in sentiment could have a negative impact on growth, despite new research suggesti

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet vows Labor will remain committed to its carbon pricing regime beyond the next federal election, despite any political damage.

Australia's economic growth was sluggish in the March quarter, and that pace is likely to continue as the peak in mining investment looms.

Australia's foreign investment rules are sending the wrong message to China, Premier Colin Barnett says.

A new report has cautioned against using Australia's vast pool of superannuation to fund infrastructure or for other non-retirement purposes.

The Australian economy benefited from a larger-than-expected rise in exports during the first three months of 2013.

A 26 per cent wage increase over four years demanded by the Maritime Union of Australia WA branch is "off the planet", Premier Colin Barnett says.

Excessive wage demands are threatening major energy projects in Australia, a federal Labor minister says.

Business leaders in Western Australia say there should be no rise in the state's minimum wage this year, with the WA Industrial Relations Commission set to hear the state wage case this week.

Live animal exports would be banned by 2017 under a private bill introduced by federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who says the industry has run out of "last chances".

WHAT do you call a person who makes the same mistake year after year? ‘Fool' is one suggestion, and it seems the same description certainly applies to governments.

Two months after the West Australian election is too soon to start claiming the state government is breaking election promises, Premier Colin Barnett says.

More Australians were feeling bad about the economy in the week the federal budget was released.

The federal opposition has questioned Treasury's budget forecasts, saying the numbers would be different if the department was "left to its own devices".

Look carefully through the gloom of a sputtering local economy, mine closures, ballooning state debt and rising unemployment and you might catch a glimpse of the first signs of next year's recovery

MAKING predictions in politics is fraught with risk.

Two Liberal premiers and a major industry group say the goods and services tax should be on the reform agenda.

An independent review of Australia's franchise sector has recommended substantial reforms, including strengthening the obligations of parties to act in good faith and a stronger enforcement regime.

Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Julia Gillard after saying Australia would face the same problems as Greece if support for the mining industry was

Pay rises handed to the Western Australian government ministerial staffers are excessive, given savings are being sought in the rest of the public sector, the opposition says.

Billionaire Clive Palmer says he's been approached by West Australian parliamentarians keen to become candidates for his political party.

The resources sector is being used like an ATM machine and Australia's record debt is unsustainable, mining magnate Gina Rinehart says.

Last week's interest rates cut by the RBA could be part of a concerted move by central banks around the world to take more chances to boost growth.

Former prime minister John Howard has defended his government's introduction of the baby bonus, saying the tax system should recognise the costs associated with raising children.

LET'S face it, government budgets lost meaning a long time ago – at least as a kind of one-off announcement where everyone held their breath to see how they were affected.

Australia remains one of the top destinations for migrating professionals, but has slipped in a global rankings survey amid the high-value dollar putting pressure on exchange rates.