Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says the latest national accounts and jobs figures show that the economy has been operating well below its potential for some time.
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has mocked the treasurer's promise of a budget surplus in 2012/13, saying it would take 100 years of surpluses to make up for "Swannie's deficits".
Continuing falls in Western Australian unemployment have failed to stop the nation's unemployment rate rising to 5.2 per cent in February, according to official figures.
A significant shareholder in mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto has backed the federal government's stand on the minerals resources rent tax for its potential benefit to the wider economy.
Treasurer Wayne Swan believes the economy is still on target to reach trend growth of around 3.25 per cent this year, despite a dour performance in the final months of 2011 amid economic upheaval i
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has questioned whether groups such as Greenpeace should retain their tax-free status if they are actively working to disrupt and delay major coal projects.
Federal opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says the coalition will deliver a budget surplus in its first year in office and won't follow Labor in rolling out a stimulus package in the event o
Monetary policy has a key role to play in the evolution of the Australian economy, as it responds to structural change, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard will invite business leaders to the first meeting of a new advisory forum set up to find ways to cut red tape, as Treasurer Wayne Swan's criticism of three mining
The state government will focus on improving waste recovery rates from the construction, demolition and industrial sectors to achieve "ambitious" targets in its new waste strategy, but has no plans
Confidence among small and medium businesses took a backward step in the March quarter, a quarterly survey by information management firm Sensis found.
Water Minister Bill Marmion admits a 13.5 per cent interest rate being charged on unpaid water bills is high and says he will ask the Water Corporation to justify it.
In a surprise turn of events, former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr will join the Senate and take the role of Foreign Minister in the wake of Kevin Rudd's failed leadership challenge.
Capital expenditure fell in the last three months of December, but it is expected to make a comeback in the new year as the mining boom gains renewed momentum.
Premier Colin Barnett has stated that Western Australia should have two energy utilities rather than four, raising the ire of shadow minister Bill Johnston who believes investment in the sector is
Nationals leader Brendon Grylls has confirmed he will contest the seat of Pilbara at the next state election rather than stand in his safe Central Wheatbelt electorate.
The major federal political parties have dismissed the Australian Greens' proposal to pursue a sovereign wealth fund, while providing themselves the opportunity to attack each other.
The mining sector has given Martin Ferguson its backing as the prime minister considers the ministerial future of the resources minister and other key backers of Kevin Rudd.
State Nationals leader Brendon Grylls should take a cold shower and reassess his "risky strategy" to contest the seat of Pilbara, Premier Colin Barnett says.
Business wants the federal Labor leadership ballot to be the catalyst for a more focused Gillard government and renewed commitment to a more competitive and productive economy.
The eurozone will have to put in place a bigger financial firewall to combat the crisis before other countries will pour more cash into the IMF, the G20 top and developing economies say.
Western Australia's share of GST grants will fall to a record low next year, with the state due to get back just 55 per cent of all GST collected here.
Four Labor ministers, including Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, have backed a leadership comeback by Kevin Rudd, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard sought to bring an end to his campaign of "desta
Premier Colin Barnett says Prime Minister Julia Gillard will need to defeat Kevin Rudd by a "large majority" if she is to retain the leadership and confidence of her party and the public.
The state government has halted all prescribed burns near populated areas and will establish an Office of Bushfire Risk Management in the wake of the Keelty Report into the Margaret River bush
