Latest Headlines

The federal budget was in a $700 million deficit in the 2018/19 financial year, the Final Budget Outcome report shows.

Joyce defends Qantas’ bottom line

Oil prices retreated about 2.0 per cent overnight, extending the previous day's declines after Saudi Arabia's government said it would quickly restore full production following Saturday's attacks on its facilities and as US crude stockpiles rose unexpectedly.

Gold prices fell more than 1.0 per cent to a one-week low overnight, pulled down by a lack of clarity on future monetary policy decisions after a widely anticipated interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

The Australian share market has closed lower for the first time in six days, pinned down by a slump in the energy sector as oil prices retreated from recent highs.

Paringa Resources is seeking to raise $8.1 million, while Mali Lithium is on the hunt for $5.3 million, both via rights issues.

Premier Mark McGowan says the state government has not considered scrapping its foreign buyer surcharge for residential property to help smooth over tension with Western Australia's biggest trading partner, despite rising concern over risks to the state’s economy.

The Royal Automobile Club has posted strong full-year revenue and profit figures, but the not for profit also wrote-down the value of two of its business ventures.

Consumers have saved $7.5 billion through the Economic Regulation Authority’s tight leash on major utilities, according to chair Nicky Cusworth, but work is needed to make the state's rules regime more effective.

A recent Grattan Institute report has proposed a $1.6 billion reform package to make careers in teaching more attractive to students with strong ATAR scores.

OPINION: Listening to feedback can be confronting, but failure to do so can be detrimental to a school’s performance.

Woodside Petroleum has signed a preliminary agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to German utility Uniper for 13 years starting in 2021, contingent on Woodside developing its Scarborough gas project.

ASX-listed investment fund Centuria will acquire Warrington Capital Partners’ William Square office building in Northbridge for $189.5 million, in the highest value commercial property transaction in Perth since December last year.

Ananda Kathiravelu, a director of corporate finance firm Armada Capital, will face trial after being charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of market manipulation.

Ibaera Capital has made a hostile $27.4 million takeover bid for fellow West Perth-based company Azumah Resources, as the fund manager seeks to get both hands on its gold joint venture in West Africa.

Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting may have to pour more funds into the severely cash-strapped UK-based Sirius Minerals, after the company shelved a $US500 million bond issue for a multi-billion dollar potash project in the UK, blaming factors such as a lack of government support and Brexit uncertainty.

Family Business Australia has appointed a new state chairman in the same month it launches its national event, Family Business Day.

Ventia, a subsidiary of construction giant CIMIC Group, has won contracts for works at Great Eastern Highway between Walgoolan and Bodalin.

Kathmandu's key Australian market appears to be weathering the retail chill, with sales of its signature puffer jackets helping offset a revenue decline in New Zealand and propel the company to a new full-year profit peak of $NZ57.63 million ($A53.3 million).

The Australian share market has opened slightly lower as the mining and energy sectors fell.

BHP: carbon cuts good for iron ore

Oil prices tumbled about 6.0 per cent overnight after Saudi Arabia's energy minister said the country has managed to restore oil supplies to where they stood before weekend attacks on its facilities shut 5.0 per cent of global oil output.

Gold rose overnight, propped up by expectations for an interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, but traded within a relatively narrow range as investors awaited further clarity on the central bank's stance on future monetary policy.

The state government has invited three companies to tender for the $69 million Denny Avenue level crossing removal.

A widely publicised report out today that claimed Western Australia will need 10,700 more operational workers in the mining sector by 2024 appears to be misleading, according to a review by Business News.

The Australian share market has recovered from a lacklustre start to post gains for a fifth straight day, with every sector up aside from mining and consumer discretionary stocks.

A new student accommodation proposal has emerged on Wellington Street, on a development site owned by a syndicate of investors including former Adelaide Crows coach and West Coast Eagles footballer Don Pyke.

FIRM Construction and McCorkell Constructions have secured school contracts, while Broad Construction and Devlyn Constructions will undertake works for government departments, amid $23 million of new deals announced over the past fortnight.

OPINION: Every cloud has a silver lining, even the attacks on the Saudi Arabian oil industry, because they could provide the incentive for customers to seek more liquefied natural gas from Western Australia.

PERTH consultant Wyn Hopkins has a special claim to fame; he prompted Microsoft to update its highly popular Excel package to fix an issue that had been annoying users for years.

Subiaco-based uranium company Peninsula Energy has flagged a write-down of between $US20 million ($29.2 million) and $AUS30 million ($A43.8 million) stemming from its Lance on-site recovery project in the US state of Wyoming.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce was Australia's highest-paid chief executive last year, according to a survey based on 'realised' pay, which also ranked Saracen Mineral Holdings managing director Raleigh Finlayson in the top 10.