Government and business must involve trade unions to develop plans to train Australia's workforce for the increased presence of automation, according to Siemens Australia chief executive Jeff Connolly.
A ratings agency has upgraded its outlook for Western Australia's finances, based on higher Commonwealth grants, expected revenue growth and tight spending control.
US stocks have fallen with worries about the earnings outlook adding to recent selling pressure, though major indexes ended well off the day's lows as investors snapped up beaten-down shares late i
Oil prices plunged about five per cent overnight to two-month lows as a sell-off in global equity markets raised worries about demand growth and after Saudi Arabia said it could supply more crude quickly if needed, easing concerns ahead of US sanctions on Iran.
Gold rose by a percentage point overnight to its highest level in over three months as the dollar weakened and global stock markets tumbled, with rising political and economic uncertainties adding to bullion's appeal.
Perth does not need to over emphasise economic diversification to revitalise the local economy, but rather embrace its competitive advantages, according to a report released by the Committee for Perth today.
Premier Mark McGowan and StudyPerth chair Rod Jones this morning launched a new strategy to attract international students to Western Australia, with Mr Jones throwing out a challenge to the sector to turn the strategy into action.
US stocks have edged down as early support from a rally in China faded, with lower oil prices and disappointing earnings signals from firms including Halliburton and Hasbro helping pull the market lower.
Oil futures changed little after paring earlier losses, despite Saudi Arabia's pledge to raise crude production to a record high, two weeks before US sanctions potentially choke off Iranian supplies.
SPECIAL REPORT: Gold Corporation, Alcoa, Roy Hill and Chevron have all posted higher revenue numbers in Business News' annual analysis of WA's biggest exporters.
The Environmental Protection Authority will receive a $3.3 million funding boost to deal with a recent spike in proposals in Western Australia, with the government also announcing plans for a scheme to allow the outsourcing of some assessments.
The US benchmark S&P 500 stock index has closed a touch lower as strong earnings from Procter & Gamble Co were offset by ongoing concerns about rising interest rates and tensions over trade policy denting economic growth.
Oil prices have risen on signs of surging demand in China, the world's number two oil consumer, although prices were headed for a second weekly decline on swelling US inventories and concern that trade wars were curbing economic activity.
Oil prices fell as investors' concerns returned to the impact an escalating trade row between China and the United States will have on oil demand growth and data showing ample supplies.
US stocks have fallen more than one per cent as the European Commission issued a warning regarding Italy's budget and concerns mounted over the possibility of strained relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Gold has risen overnight as renewed weakness in global stock markets spurred investors to seek refuge in bullion, which has also been helped by an improved technical outlook.
Full-time employment in Western Australia has hit a three-year high, as the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a decline in the state's jobless rate to 6 per cent in September.
Unions have blasted Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O'Dwyer's decision to intervene in a potentially landmark court case about casual workers' pay and leave entitlements.
Wall Street's major indexes have edged lower in a choppy session after the US Federal Reserve showed broad agreement on the need to raise borrowing costs further, cementing investor concerns that had cause a major sell-off the week before.
Oil prices have fallen with US futures settling below $US70 a barrel for the first time in a month, after US crude stockpiles rose 6.5 million barrels, almost triple what analysts had forecast, while exports dropped.
Gold prices have edged lower as the US dollar strengthened after minutes from the Federal Reserve's September meeting cemented expectations for more interest rate hikes by the US central bank.
