Interest rate cuts in recent months have failed to lift sentiment in the business sector, with a new survey showing conditions went backwards in the second quarter.
The federal opposition insists it is not against foreign investment, despite proposing a plan to toughen rules for international investors looking to buy Australian agricultural land.
Fair Work Australia could be given greater powers to resolve mining industry pay disputes, and improve flexibility for carers, under changes proposed in a review of the Fair Work Act.
It was a canal too far that lost him a state election.But Premier Colin Barnett hasn't given up on his much-derided ambition for a 3,700km waterway from the Kimberley to Perth.
Wayne Swan has every right to attack rich mining magnates for acting in their own interests, Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Howes says.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has accused Julia Gillard of being inflexible in talks with states and territories over the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Proposed amendments to the living away from home allowance (LAFHA) will affect more than a "narrow group of people" as described by Treasurer Wayne Swan, a federal parliamentary hearing has b
The West Australian premier's call for GST distribution reform is very reasonable but any change needs to benefit the whole nation, opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has taken aim at Liberal state premiers over their refusal to sign up to plans for a national disability insurance scheme.
Premier Colin Barnett has proposed the bulk of GST revenue should be distributed on a per capita basis, with the remainder distributed to the states based on need.
Redundant workers from ailing sectors such as manufacturing are being targeted for work in the resources sector, Minister for Employment Participation Kate Ellis says.
Australia was in a good position to avoid the global financial crisis and should continue to use its "lucky" position to shield against further economic shocks, the central bank governor says.
Funds for the National Disability Insurance Scheme should not be consumed by unnecessary bureaucracy, the state government has warned its federal counterparts.
Australia's economic growth should stay around current levels until 2017, but there's a risk the nation will become even more sensitive to commodity price swings than it is now, a report warns.
A rise in Australia's June quarter producer price index could mean Wednesday's inflation data will be stronger, but it should not prevent more interest rate cuts by the central bank, economists say
Western Australia remains by far the nation's strongest state on most economic valuations, and even its weakest parts outstrip many other jurisdictions, CommSec says.
The surge in the number of people accessing the state government's Hardship Utilities Grants Scheme could be just the tip of the iceberg, the opposition says.
