Government

Federal Treasury has dismissed suggestions the Chinese economic "miracle" is coming to an end, saying the Asian giant will grow at a more sustainable rate to become the biggest economy in the world

Economists believe the federal government can ditch its much promised budget surplus without damaging its triple-A credit rating.

A former top state government official has been fined $1500 after being found guilty of disclosing confidential government information to former premier turned lobbyist Brian Burke.

The head of National Australia Bank has called for an overhaul of Australia's industrial relations and taxation systems as the resources investment boom nears its peak.

Australian retailers are dreaming of a bright Christmas with economists predicting the best festive season spending in three years.

Former Tourism Western Australia chief executive Richard Muirhead has been appointed chair of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, replacing inaugural chair Eric Lumsden who was in the role fo

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens wonders whether there might be a better way of using monetary policy than the so-called "quantitative easing" of monetary policy being used by major

The Australian retail sector continues to struggle due to declining profit margins and skyrocketing costs, a report says.

The state Australian government has denied there is an endemic problem in local councils after another was suspended, prompting the opposition to again call for an inquiry.

Australian consumers are downbeat heading into Christmas, despite the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to cut the cash rate to its lowest level in three years.

Australians are increasingly using their mobile devices to shop in the lead up to Christmas, PayPal data shows.

Former Freehills managing partner John Atkins has agreed to head up a review of Western Australia's current liquor licensing system and Sunday trading regulations for hospitality operators, as part

Australian firms are heading into Christmas on a pessimistic note, with business confidence slumping to its lowest point since the global financial crisis.

Western Australian employers have downgraded expectations for increasing staff numbers in the first quarter of 2013.

Keeping inflation in check is important to maintain steady economic growth, but it is not enough, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says.

A local council in the Pilbara wants to import foreign workers for smaller businesses in the retail, hospitality and other sectors that are struggling to keep local employees.

Treasurer Troy Buswell wants to prevent his former lover and independent MP Adele Carles from making any more damning accusations, as the political fallout from their private affair continues.

The federal government has hit out at a senior Liberal MP for suggesting the global financial crisis would not have had a budget impact under a coalition government, describing the remarks as "delu

Australian households won't see instant cuts in their power bills if the federal Labor government's carbon tax is abolished, energy retailers say.

Another mistake in acquiring land for Woodside's controversial Browse gas hub has made targeted timeframes "tight", Lands Minister Brendon Grylls concedes.

The coalition could lose a swag of marginal seats at next year's federal election as new electoral laws automatically enrol up to 1.5 million voters.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she wasn't willing to hand environmental approval powers to the states for fear it would create a "dalmatian dog" of legal risk and uncertainty for business.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has struck a deal with the state and territory leaders on a plan she says could save households $250 a year on their power bills.

Labour productivity rose strongly in 2011/12, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Returning the federal budget to surplus this financial year should not be priority as it could further slow the economy, an economist says.

Lower commodity prices and the high value of the Australian dollar have seen Australia post its biggest trade deficit since 2008.

Confidence in Western Australia's economy among consumers has plunged to a record low but most households still expect to spend as much this Christmas as they did last year.

Myer has blamed economic conditions, the introduction of the carbon tax and a GST loophole on goods bought overseas for its weak performance.

Health minister Kim Hames has announced the terms of reference for an independent review into the Peel Health Campus and the state government's contract with hospital operator Health Solutions WA.

John Holland has been confirmed as the managing contractor for completion of the $1.2 billion New Children's Hospital in Nedlands.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australia has a resilient economy but its future is not assured without further reform.