Government

Labor is poised to win its battle to tax the profits of big coal and iron ore miners, after key independents bargained for closer checks on coal seam gas projects and a higher tax threshold.

The prospects for the eurozone are gloomy and its break-up would be incredibly painful, federal shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says.

Skilled labour in the residential building industry has hit surplus for a consecutive quarter, an industry group says.

Coalition MPs won't vote to increase super contributions to 12 per cent when legislation goes to parliament, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Key independent MP Tony Windsor says he is more than likely to support the government's proposed minerals resource rent tax when the bill enters parliament next week.

The state government has signed a new agreement with the international wing of the Japan Finance Corporation, in an effort to foster business links with the country.

Federal Labor's mining tax is on the table for debate next week but is not yet a done deal as talks with crossbench independent MPs continue, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Treasurer Wayne Swan expects the economy will still be growing at trend in the current financial year when he hands down Treasury's latest economic forecasts with the mid-year budget review.

Qatar Airways says it will add Perth to the fast-growing airline's network next year.Flights would be launched over the "next few months", Qatar Airways said in a statement.

US President Barack Obama says America is "all in" when it comes to the Asian century and will turn the full focus of the global power's trade and defence policies to the region.

A motion to wind up Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is doomed to fail but beef producers hope it ultimately will lead to a new industry body.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has admitted the eurozone has still not identified the road to recovery from its crippling debt crisis, after talks with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.

Smiles were everywhere at the Qantas jet base in Sydney as the lucky, chosen few caught a glimpse at what chief executive Alan Joyce described as the star attraction - the Australian debut of Boein

Former District Court judge Roger Macknay QC has been confirmed as the new head of the state's corruption watchdog.

Mount Gibson Iron has announced the appointment of two new directors as the company’s board grapples with a continuing rift over the independence of its chairman Geoff Hill.

The federal government must reassure China that boosting military ties with the United States is not an aggressive act, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Homeowners looking to refinance their mortgage to secure a better deal could struggle to find a new lender because house prices have fallen and the loan could be more than the home's value.

Slower than expected wages growth means the central bank has one less roadblock to cutting interest rates if it is needed, economists say.

Job advertisements on the internet fell by 4.2 per cent in October compared to a month earlier, national data shows.

The state government will spend almost $14 million in the next five years to reduce the risk of shark attacks after three fatal attacks in recent months.

Tiger Airways says it is unable to be profitable in Australia when limited to just 22 daily flights a day, under restrictions imposed after the forced grounding of the airline's fleet earlier this

Consumer worries about interest rates have been overtaken by concerns about the impact of the carbon tax and utility costs on household finances.

A leading business lobby group has urged the federal government not to increase taxes to achieve its budget surplus, as Labor looks for ways to make up for falling revenues.

Premier Colin Barnett says China will play hardball over joining the Oakajee port and rail project but he is optimistic it will go ahead.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it is possible for Australia to be a close ally of the United States and also be friends with China.

Businesses that incorrectly attribute price rises to carbon pricing are being scrutinised by the competition watchdog.

The builder of the federal government's $36 billion national broadband network (NBN) has signed contracts worth up to $635 million for equipment to install the high speed service in homes and busin

Premier Colin Barnett has welcomed a move by federal Labor to lift its ban on uranium sales to India.

Small business trading conditions and confidence have continued to deteriorate against the backdrop of an escalating European debt crisis, and weak consumer confidence and spending, a new survey sh

Resources giant BHP Billiton says it will spend billions of dollars ramping up shale gas production in the United States this decade.

Former Hogan and Partners stockbroker Jonathan Kur has been charged with fraud after an 18-month investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Australian shares closed marginally higher as investors remained cautious despite changes of leadership in Italy and Greece.