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State rules out NDIS, goes its own way

US stocks have ended near the lows of the day as energy shares tumbled alongside the price of oil and soft Chinese trade data rekindled fears that the global economy is weaker than expected.

Gold has turned lower, falling below last week's 13-month high on profit-taking as the market's recent rally appeared to lose momentum ahead of the next US Federal Reserve meeting.

Iron ore prices have maintained their huge gains, helping the Australian dollar's rally roll into an eighth day.

Smaller iron ore miners were the big winners today after the iron ore price surged overnight, whereas Fortescue Metals Group failed to sustain Monday's big gains despite announcing a joint venture and investment deal with Brazil's Vale.

A former staffer to two Western Australian premiers and current Vincent Mayor John Carey is seeking Labor preselection for the seat of Perth at the next state election.

Six-and-a-half years after Chevron started development of Australia's single largest resources project, the $US54 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant has commenced production, though it is by no means complete.

Iron ore surge lifts shares and WA spirits

Fortescue Metals Group and Brazilian competitor Vale are looking to reshape the iron ore market, announcing this morning plans for Vale to invest in FMG's mining operations and for the two companies to form a joint venture to sell blended ore into China.

Gold rose on Monday, hovering just below last week's 13-month high as the US dollar turned lower, while a fall in average US earnings lessened expectations the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its next policy meeting.

The Australian dollar has surged to an eight-month high on the back of a "spectacular" jump in iron ore prices.

The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 index closed higher on Monday as a spike in energy shares offset sharp declines in large-cap technology names, which dragged down the Nasdaq.

New car sales have again fallen in Western Australia, down 2.2 per cent in the first two months of the year compared to 2015, with Holden and Hyundai the worst hit.

Western Australian retail spending rose 0.2 per cent month on month in January, to $2.8 billion, slightly below the national average of 0.3 per cent.

Cofco eyes move on WA's CBH

Wall Street has moved higher, adding momentum to a recent recovery as the energy and financial sectors break into positive territory for 2016.

Gold has risen back towards $1,260 an ounce, coming within a hair of a 13-month high as the US dollar heads toward its biggest one-day tumble in a month after US data fuelled worries over Friday's US payrolls data.

The Australian dollar is refusing to roll over, soaring to a three-month high on the back of disappointing US economic figures.

Local communications and lobbying firm Cannings Purple has boosted its team by signing up former Environmental Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel and former state Liberal leader Matt Birney.

Fast-growing digital media company Migme has raised $7 million through a share placement to a Chinese app developer, taking its total capital raisings since listing two years ago to $36 million.

Western Australia's unenviable position as national leader in gender pay gap cannot be explained by the prominence of male-dominated industries, according to new national research.

WA on the outer in BHP's new inner circle

Energy and bank stocks have led Wall Street higher, adding to a rally in the previous session, after strong jobs data dispelled concerns over the health of the US economy.

Gold has rebounded as the US dollar turned lower, shrugging off a turn higher in global shares and better-than-expected US economic data.

The Australian dollar has become the best performing currency overnight and is now targeting 73 US cents after surprisingly positive growth data.

Private health insurers will increase their premiums by more than 5 per cent within weeks after winning approval from Health Minister Sussan Ley.

Canadian policy thinktank the Fraser Institute has ranked Western Australia the best location in the world for mining investment, with Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion today touting the results as a tick of approval for the state government's red tape reduction strategy.

Australia is close to the top of the leader board of advanced economies after unexpectedly posting GDP growth of 3 per cent in 2015.

New round of job cuts looms at Rio

Wall Street has enjoyed its strongest session in a month, led by financial and technology stocks after encouraging US factory and construction data suggested the world's biggest economy was regaining momentum.

The Australian dollar has jumped as optimism reigned overnight, boosting commodity currencies.

Gold has turned lower, as the US dollar and global equity markets rose on better-than-expected US data, fueling speculation the Fed will raise US interest rates.