Latest Headlines

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.

A surprise slide in the US unemployment rate to 7.7 per cent for November gave markets an initial boost on Friday, but shares ended the session mixed.

Perth-based mining company Talison Lithium has accepted a sweetened takeover proposal from China’s Chengdu Tianqi Industry Group, which trumped a competing proposal from an international chemicals

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.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, enjoying support following a busy week of economic data releases, most of which were quite good.

Wolf Minerals' major shareholder Resource Capital Funds has agreed to provide a 12-month funding package worth up to US$82 million (A$79 million) to support continued work on the Hemerdon tungsten

The Australian market closed at a seven-week high, with across-the-board gains aided by strong overseas leads.

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

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart is believed to have given her last-minute support to the troubled Ten Network's $230 million capital raising.

Updated stockmarket indices announced today have highlighted the rising fortunes of telco iiNet and junior miner Papillon Resources, in sharp contrast to the falling value of uranium miner Paladin

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

Suggestions Clive Palmer has transferred the registered address of his companies to Western Australia because of dissatisfaction with the Queensland government are overstated, the mining tycoon say

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.

Australian stocks have opened firmer amid broad-based gains with the big banks and miners all higher in early trade.

US stocks finished in positive territory on Thursday after circling the breakeven line for much of the session, with a mild rebound by volatile Apple buoying the Nasdaq for a 0.5 per cent gain.

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.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart is keeping the Ten Network guessing on whether she'll take part in the troubled broadcaster's $230 million capital raising.

The Australian dollar had a brief rally after the release of encouraging jobs figures, but negativity about the US budget situation prevented it from rising to 105 US cents.

AMP Capital has announced a $105 million redevelopment of the Ocean Keys Shopping Centre at Clarkson, after appointing Built Environs as builder of the project.

Resource companies operating in West Africa have been angered by the rise in resource nationalism.

Australian stocks finished slightly weaker today, with the market lacking direction despite an unexpected fall in Australia's unemployment rate.

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

A massive barge that has been grounded off the Western Australian coast for a week is not seriously damaged, but is still stranded on a limestone reef near Cervantes.

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

Virgin Australia has won approval from Singapore's corporate regulator to take over regional airline Skywest as it makes a push into budget air travel.

The receiver of the ailing food manufacturer behind the iconic Rosella brand says he's confident the business will be able to continue trading as the hunt for a buyer continues.

High domestic petrol prices are being influenced by international trends rather than price gouging by local fuel retailers, the competition watchdog says.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan has criticised increases in senior Western Australian bureaucrats’ salary packages during the Liberal-National government’s first term in office, describing them as “

Chevron has confirmed a major cost blowout at its Gorgon liquefied natural gas development off the Western Australian coast, but it is not as large as speculated.