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Australia's peak union body has attacked the state government for refusing to sign up to new national occupational health and safety laws.

Hong Kong-based investment house Wah Nam Holdings has confirmed it is in discussions with Brockman Resources regarding a “potential transaction and co-operation”.

An unexpected fall in the jobless rate is unlikely to prevent the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cutting interest rates again given the continuing turmoil on global markets.

The state government says it will reap an extra $1.9 billion over the next three years after finalising agreements with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto to increase the royalty rate payable for thei

Gindalbie Metals' timeline for its flagship Karara iron ore project in Western Australia has slipped but the $2.57 billion development cost remains the same.

Mutiny Gold says it has signed an $11 million project loan and hedging facility to fund the acquisition of the final 30 per cent stake in the Gullewa tenements and a feasibility study for its Defle

Kalgoorlie Mining Company says it has received commitments to raise $6 million for the construction of a gold treatment plant at its Bullant gold mine, near Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

The benefits of the mining boom have peaked and the federal government must abandon its commitment to a budget surplus by 2012/13, a new study says.

Australia's unemployment rate fell to 5.2 per cent in October, official figures show.The September figure was an upwardly revised 5.3 per cent.

The Australian stock market fell the most in almost two months as the ongoing troubles in the Eurozone spooked investors.

The Australian dollar has fallen more than two US cents on renewed fears of a looming debt crisis in Italy.

New worries over a eurozone meltdown have sent US stocks plummeting more than three per cent.

The Australian dollar closed higher as the looming resignation of Italy's prime minister added to investor sentiment and gave the currency a boost.

Leprechauns are "lovable little fellows" and no-one should be offended if they are called one, the Western Australian premier says.

Wesfarmers shareholders have delivered a mild rebuke to their board of directors, delivering a protest vote against a new share options scheme but supporting the company’s remuneration report.

Allmine Group subsidiary Arccon has entered an agreement to acquire the remaining 50 per cent stake in Construction Industries Australia that it does not already own in an all-scrip offer worth $3

Nine Entertainment chief executive David Gyngell says he is focused on running the company and not on the pile of its debt that will soon require refinancing.

One of Australia's largest accounting firms is standing by its analysis of Labor's mining tax after Treasurer Wayne Swan rebuked it for distorting the public debate.

Fortescue Metals Group says the iron ore price has bottomed out for the moment and demand from Chinese steel mills remains high.

Perth-based nickel explorer Corazon Mining has announced a $4.3 million capital raising to fund drilling programs at its Lynn Lake nickel sulphide project in Canada.

Myer is closing stores and reducing floor space as it strives to generate as much as 10 per cent of its sales revenue online.

Brews from the north and a Subiaco steak sandwich were among the winners at the state’s Australian Hotels Association Hotel and Hospitality awards this week.

Australian shares gained more than one per cent as markets focused on Italy and stronger commodity prices prompted local investors to buy mining stocks.

People acting as "lobbyists for hire" will be targeted by proposed legislation in Western Australia.

Former Ernst & Young managing partner Jeff Dowling has joined the Atlas Iron board as an independent non-executive director.

The coalition has switched tactics on the carbon tax, accusing the Australian Greens of seeking a second wave of climate action, including an end to coal-fired power.

Consumer sentiment has risen strongly in November, suggesting that last week's interest rate cut has had the desired effect, Westpac says.

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has warned the world is at risk of plunging into "uncertainty and financial instability" and has urged Asian economies to be on their guard.

The federal government's leading employment index rose for a third consecutive month in November after revisions to the series.

Insolvencies spiked in Australia in the September quarter as creditors got tough on debt recovery, fresh data from the corporate watchdog shows.

An Aboriginal corporation has been denied the opportunity to speak at Fortescue Metals Group's annual general meeting.