Latest Headlines

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is warning the opposition will need to make "incredible" cutbacks to government services if it does not back spending cuts in Tuesday's budget.

Harvey Norman says its pre-tax profit for the first nine months of the financial year is down 25 per cent, as sales continued to fall in the three months March.

Australian stocks have opened marginally higher amid quite trading, as market players choose to stay on the sidelines ahead of the federal budget.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has cut its standard variable home loan rate by 40 basis points to 7.01 per cent, while Westpac said it would wait until tomorrow to announce its intentions.

US stocks clawed back early sharp losses on disappointing data on private-sector job growth, with the Nasdaq index ending in the black while the Dow closed with a minimal loss.

The state government’s $130 million Pilbara Underground Power Project has run into more flak after electrical contractor O’Donnell Griffin halted work on the Karratha phase of the project.

The Australian dollar recovered some of the ground lost after this week's official interest rate cut as investors shifted their focus to recent positive data from the US and China.

Woodside Petroleum has told shareholders that it plans to substantially increase its exploration spending and seek new partnerships, despite plunging prices caused by a gas glut in the United State

Former federal opposition leader Dr John Hewson says the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) should continue slashing interest rates so they are in line with other developed economies.

Ramelius Resources has been savaged by investors after releasing a disappointing quarterly production report yesterday.

The Australian share market closed marginally stronger at a nine-month high after gains by miners were offset falls among the big four banks.

Matilda Zircon has appointed former Murchison Metals boss Trevor Matthews as its new chief executive.Mr Matthews will take the reins at Matilda from May 14.

Aquila Resources' $430 million sale of its half interest in the Isaac Plains coal mine in Queensland is a step closer to being officially sold, following Foreign Investment Review Board's (FIRB) ap

Leighton Holdings has won a $604 million, three-year, contract for mining services at the Peak Downs Mine in central Queensland.

The state government is under pressure to ease the impact of ballooning utilities bills on poorer households in the state's budget this month.

Fortescue Metals Group founder Andrew Forrest expects his company will pay "little or no" minerals resource rent tax when it comes into effect from July 1.

National Australia Bank and the Bank of Queensland have become the first banks to lower interest rates, but both say they won’t pass on the full 50 basis point cut recommended by the Reserve Bank o

The state government needs to find a balance between honest financial management and policy savvy over the next 12 months.

Looking for business inspiration? Here are a few books that offer more than just a great read.

Two recent reports have suggested the southern states may have to learn to cope with uneven economic growth.

The RBA’s interest rate decision this week signalled some big changes in Australia’s banking industry, and continuing risks in the global economy.

After slipping off the radar, the debt crisis in Europe has now returned.

Insiders argue the prime minister faces four key options as she battles to revive her leadership and Labor’s fortunes.

RETAILER Kmart has signed on to support Variety’s national Freedom program, which provides special needs children with bicycles and tricycles.

FIVE years after its launch and having developed a strong relationship with Aboriginal communities, the Nyoongar Sports Association has launched a new strategic plan aimed at diversifying its fundi

Have you noticed the shift in human focus and concentration?

Directors in Australia are currently facing an environment in which they are required to take more responsibility.

Kelly Rattigan was named the nation’s emerging architect by the Australian Institute of Architects last month but don’t let the title fool you.

Perth City Council has backed more generous plot ratio bonuses across large parts of the city, with the hope it may encourage more hotel and residential developments in the CBD.

A change crept into the landscape governing the practice of insolvency this year.

Giant liquefied natural gas projects like Gorgon and Pluto dominate coverage of the oil and gas sector, yet there are plenty of other developments under way.

Shell’s development of a world-first floating LNG project off the Kimberley coast is likely to be a game changer for the industry, allowing extensive ‘stranded’ gas assets to be developed.