Latest Headlines

Western Australia won't hand control of its education system to Canberra and won't be dictated to by the prime minister, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Breakaway Resources has signed a joint venture agreement worth $8 million with Sandfire Resources, to explore the Altia base metals project in north-west Queensland.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has urged the mining industry to recruit Australians willing to work on projects rather than bring in temporary skilled migrants.

The head of iron ore miner BC Iron says China's demand for the steel making commodity will pick up again under its next head of government.

The problem with sugar as an energy source is that its effects are short-lived and often followed by feeling lethargic, and while it is an odd comparison it is interesting to think about how sugar

Australian shares have opened flat due to a lack of direction from the US after Wall Street was closed for a public holiday.

Heavily indebted iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has deferred $1.6 billion of spending on its expansion projects and cut “several hundred” jobs in a dramatic reaction to the sharp plunge in i

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to keep its official interest rate on hold when its board meets later this morning.

Europe's main stock markets have risen amid growing hopes the European Central Bank could unveil a bond-buying program later this week, while investors digested poor manufacturing data.

Petrol prices appear to have topped out after rising sharply over the past few months to a 13-week high, and could ease a little further over the next couple of weeks, Commonwealth Securities says.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh five-week low on concerns about global growth.

Construction group Global Construction Services has announced a $32.1 million capital raising plan to reduce its debts and provide additional capital to achieve a 20 per cent growth target over the

The Australian share market has finished slightly higher, as investors positioned themselves ahead of key announcements from overseas.

Forge Group has won a $280 million contract to build a gas turbine power station for Rio Tinto at the Cape Lambert port in the Pilbara.

A fall in company profits for the past three quarters points to a broad-based slowing of the economy in the months ahead.

Troubled developer Port Bouvard has appointed Azure Capital to assess its strategic options in the wake of a loss of $103.5 million for the 12 months ended June 30.

Hundreds more Darrell Lea workers will lose their jobs after a deal was struck to sell the troubled chocolate maker.

Median home values in Perth fell by 1 per cent in August, while there was little movement across other capital cities, new research shows.

Shipping delays are expected at the commodities port of Geraldton as authorities prepare to shut down operations before a major storm buffets the area.

National Australia Bank shareholders are being urged to join a class action relating to its 2008 heavy losses over toxic US subprime home loans.

Gold miner Newcrest has renewed loans worth a total of $US2.5 billion ($A2.4 billion), extending its repayment dates for up to five years.

The corruption trial of former Western Australian premier Brian Burke has been put on hold pending discussions between defence lawyers and the prosecution.

The state government has unveiled the proposed route for its light rail system, with nearly $12 million of state funds committed to fine-tune the plan.

Qantas should not be written off as it remains a very strong national carrier and is addressing problems with its international service, Tourism Australia boss Andrew McEvoy says.

Hancock Prospecting chair Gina Rinehart caused a stir last week when she suggested the minimum wage be cut and called for people who are jealous of the wealthy to socialise less and work harder.

Job advertisements have fallen for the fifth consecutive month, marking the weakest trend since late 2011.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh six-week low after the release of weaker-than-expected retail data.

The state's peak business body has tipped the state's two-speed economy to become more pronounced, with conditions outside of the resources sector to get more challenging as business investmen

Retail spending has slumped as shoppers kept away from department stores in big numbers and the effect of government handouts wore off.

A private measure of inflation has posted its largest monthly increase in almost 18 months but very little is from the carbon tax.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, as disappointing Chinese economic data and a slew of companies that started trading without a dividend pushed the market lower.

The demand for skilled workers has risen to its highest level in 12 months, but poor consumer and business confidence was slowing the recovery, research shows.