Government

Busselton is set to have an underwater observatory, after the federal government committed $13 million to the project as part of its Regional Growth Fund.

BHP says big miners' profits will not survive if they simply pay lip service to the social and environmental toll of resource extraction, with the "social value" of a business decision increasingly important to a company's long-term future.

OPINION: Sensible debate about the cost of progressive environmental policy is missing amid the noise from politicians and green activists.

Solutions to prevent a potential looming shortage of critical minerals can be found in Rio Tinto's increasingly high tech operations, particularly in the Pilbara, according to corporate relations vice-president Brad Haynes.

WA Profiling & Stabilisation, Aurecon, and Adtech FRP are the latest major winners of state government contracts, worth about $11.2 million.

The Water Corporation is refusing to release the details of a review it says backs a decision to insource a major maintenance contract, a move that runs counter to the economic reforms of recent decades.

Key cost of living indicators show Perth has become one of Australia's least expensive capital cities in recent years.

Consumer Protection has warned Western Australians not to pay for flights and holiday deals through travel agencies using the Facebook platform after receiving more than 200 complaints from customers.

The emissions reduction policy proposed by the Environmental Protection Authority in March was misaligned with the Paris Agreement, would lead to lower abatements for a given cost, and potentially even send emissions overseas, according to Woodside Petroleum.

OPINION: Having got spending under control, the McGowan government now needs to find ways to encourage business growth.

UPDATED: A three-year trial to boost rock lobster availability in Western Australia is expected to increase visitor expenditure and grow jobs in marine tourism, though the lobster industry has expressed concern over the changes.

Westpac and ANZ have followed the lead set by rivals Commonwealth Bank and NAB and will not pass on Tuesday's 0.25 per cent rate cut in full.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate to a new record low of 0.75 per cent, with the board prepared to go even lower if the nation's economy does not respond.

State Attorney General John Quigley has taken a battle between parliament's upper house and the Corruption and Crime Commission to the Supreme Court.

A $2.4 billion surge in revenue above forecast levels helped the state government record a $1.3 billion operating surplus in the year to June, but the overall cash position of the budget is still in a deficit of $924 million.

Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has branded Bunnings underpaying some workers' superannuation for almost a decade as "wage theft".

Industry bodies are divided over a plan to increase regulation of short-stay accommodation providers such as Airbnb, with Tourism Council WA and the Australian Hotels Association among supporters of the proposed rules.

Power utility Synergy has taken a $446 million impairment and reported a loss of $656.9 million in the year to June, which the state government-owned business said was driven by higher fixed costs as revenue fell.

OPINION: The recovery of Qantas highlights why government intervention is not necessary and good leadership should be rewarded.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Foundation has announced a $US300 million ($440 million) commitment to establish a new industry-focused initiative to end worldwide plastic waste.

Voluntary assisted-dying laws have easily passed Western Australia's lower house, with the Bill now headed to the upper house of parliament where it will face a tougher passage.

Inner Perth's natural environment is among the characteristics that contribute to it being the most liveable metropolitan region in Australia, according to a recent report by Ipsos Australia.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt says Curtin University's $500 million investment in new facilities is indicative of the evolution of universities to provide a wider benefit to surrounding communities.

A resurgent iron ore price and a record $A gold price underpinned a $30 billion increase in Western Australia's mineral and petroleum sales for the 2019 fiscal year, according to the state government.

OPINION: WA's fraught journey towards creation of a new port near Perth has continued with a split in Labor ranks.

One of Australia's most experienced electoral officials has called for a major shakeup in the regulation and reporting of political donations at federal and state levels.

Western Australia's annual population growth rate has lifted slightly to 1 per cent but continues to lag the national growth rate of 1.6 per cent.

Unemployment fell 0.1 percentage points in Western Australia in August to be 5.8 per cent, although the number of people employed full time fell by about 7,900.

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

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.

Economists for two big banks are split on whether consumer confidence is rebounding as larger-than-normal tax refunds land in bank accounts.

The man responsible for Australia's fuel stocks does not believe drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oilfields will drive up domestic petrol prices.