Government

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has described the European debt crisis as a beat-up.But, he says Australia is still "lucky to be next to Asia and not Europe".

The outlook for economic growth has improved although it is still below average.

Big businesses are not buying influence when they pay $25,000 a year to be a member of the state Liberal Party's fundraising club, says Premier Colin Barnett.

Australia's economy could be at risk as Europe's debt crisis threatens China's export markets, the World Bank says.

Job advertisements on the internet fell by seven per cent last month, new federal government figures show.

The federal government has rubbished an opposition claim that councils haven't been given enough time to prepare for the impact of the carbon tax on their landfill sites.

Port Hedland mayor Kelly Howlett has been selected by the state Labor Party to take on Nationals leader Brendon Grylls at the state election in March.

Retail spending rose for the ninth straight month in April but it is unclear whether the outlook is favourable.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says people can have confidence in the Australian economy, as other countries fight high levels of unemployment.

Treasurer Christian Porter says a broken federal government promise to help fund native title compensation is "the lowest act".

Industry has given a lukewarm response to the state budget, with the property sector disappointed, tourism still looking for boosts for struggling regions, while miners were concerned over a lack o

The state government has announced plans to put $1.1 billion of Royalties for Regions money into a Future Fund, despite pressure from business groups, which argued the government should focus on th

The state government has reshaped its capital works program, with more money to be spent on social infrastructure in the city, including a new museum, but less on regional hospitals, ports and road

The creation of a $1.1 billion Future Fund, a major shift in capital works priorities, tax breaks for small business and a slim surplus are the major features of the state government budget announc

Treasurer Wayne Swan does not perceive a need to update budget forecasts because of recent events in Europe, saying Treasury has already accounted for a bleak outlook.

Small businesses have emerged winners in Western Australia's budget to be handed down later today, with the government unveiling a $128 million payroll tax rebate.

A public sector union will be checking the West Australian government's 2012/13 budget for signs that services may be compromised because of a planned cutback to government agencies.

Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is confident the international carbon market will stabilise in coming years.

Joe Hockey's swipe at the federal government plan to increase its debt ceiling is an irresponsible scare campaign, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Consumer confidence has posted a modest rise after the central bank provided a large cut to the cash rate on May 1.

Household compensation to cushion the impact of the carbon price will start flowing to Australian families today.

Treasury boss Martin Parkinson has argued the case for bringing the federal budget back to surplus, saying it is happening in a much healthier economic environment than in many other advanced econo

A drop in the Australian currency below parity with the US dollar and a recent cut in domestic interest rates will help manufacturers, the Australian Industry Group says.

The state government has dismissed a report claiming the state cannot afford a Norway-style sovereign wealth fund - just as it prepares to unveil its own.

Slowing economic growth, inflation, and interest rate hikes by commercial banks gave the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) the impetus to cut the cash rate in May.

Treasurer Wayne Swan will reassure business the federal government is still on the case to reform the tax system, despite ditching a promised cut in the corporate tax rate in last week's federal bu

More than half of all Australians feel they have been personally affected the global downturn, despite the nation's strong economy.

More Australians think the federal budget is bad for the economy than good, a new poll shows.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the coalition's workplace reforms would tackle flexibility and growing union "militancy".

Up to half of all new jobs created in the next few years will be in sectors related to the booming mining industry, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.

The City of Perth is on the lookout for a new chief executive, after incumbent Frank Edwards announced his retirement.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has promised the fiscal details of the its alternative budget will be revealed before the next election as he hits back on criticism his budget reply was short on deta