States and territories have signed up to the federal government's proposed National Energy Guarantee today, and it will have a big impact on Western Australian industry despite the state not being part of the National Electricity Market.
The Liberals' decision not to contest two recent by-elections was a defensive move that puts the party on the back foot in those seats ahead of the next federal poll.
Crude oil prices are slightly lower, extending the previous session's losses as the escalating China-US trade dispute casts doubt over the outlook for oil demand.
The Dow and the S&P 500 were little changed at the open while the Nasdaq was firmly higher, propped up by the high-flying technology trio of Apple, Amazon and Microsoft.
Up to 13,000 public sector workers employed on casual or fixed-term contracts in Western Australia will be considered for secure permanent roles this year, Premier Mark McGowan says.
US stocks were flat on Wednesday after China retaliated to the Trump administration's latest tariffs, escalating trade tensions and muting strong corporate earnings.
Oil prices slid about three per cent on Wednesday as a trade dispute between the United States and China escalated further and after Chinese import data showed a slowdown in energy demand.
The S&P 500 inched nearer to a record high, lifted by Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft, and a strong second-quarter earnings season that fuelled optimism about the US economy's strength.
The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent for the 24th month in a row, with RBA governor Philip Lowe adding the drought affecting large parts of the country to his list of concerns.
CPB Contractors has added to its portfolio of Main Roads projects after being selected as preferred contractor for a $50 million upgrade of the Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive intersection.
Oil futures have gained after OPEC sources said Saudi crude production unexpectedly fell in July, raising concerns about global oil supplies as the US prepares to reinstate sanctions against major exporter Iran.
The three major US stock indexes closed higher as investors applauded a strong US earnings season with results from Berkshire Hathaway impressing and Facebook getting a boost.
Deloitte has won a state government contract to prepare a business case for the Morley to Ellenbrook rail line, to be undertaken in parallel with another study looking at route options.
Oil prices have strengthened, with US crude gaining nearly 2 per cent after traders saw an industry report suggesting domestic crude stockpiles would soon decline again.
Technology stocks have pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq higher, driven by Apple shares as the iPhone maker became the first publicly traded US company worth a trillion dollars.
Oil prices fell about 2 per cent as a surprise increase in US crude stockpiles fed concerns about global oversupply, while investors worried that trade tensions could hit energy demand.
The S&P 500 and Dow have slipped as gains in Apple shares were offset by a drop in energy and industrial companies with the US Federal Reserve remaining on course for an expected interest rate hike in September.
Landgate chief executive Jodi Cant has been appointed as the new director general of the Department of Finance, but the state government is still looking for a permanent boss for the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
The state government has today announced a host of local government reforms, including provisions related to councillors and chief executives receiving gifts.
US stocks have risen as technology stocks rebounded and a report said the United States and China were trying to restart negotiations to defuse a trade war between world's two largest economies.
Minderoo Foundation has today announced a $100 million research initiative designed to study and protect global marine life and its chairman Andrew Forrest has used the occasion to attack the federal government's new marine parks plan.
