Government

Perth has been ranked Australia's second most expensive city to live in, but it's not Sydney where cost of living is higher among the nation's capitals.

Dull consumer spending growth and dramatically lower business investment are ahead for the state's economy in 2015-16, according to the latest Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA Outlook,

More than $4.5 billion was pumped into the local economy by domestic tourists in the year to March, Tourism Council WA says.

Bill Shorten seems intent on winning support of the Labor rank and file before taking on the government.

The value of Australian iron ore exports is expected to fall next year as strong growth in production volumes is offset by a slump in prices to a forecast $US52.10 per tonne in 2016.

The state government has announced plans to construct 15 new passing lanes along the Great Eastern Highway, with the project to cost $48 million.

After a decade of strong population and economic growth, debate continues as to the best ways to fund the state's future infrastructure needs. Business News has compiled a list of the biggest state government assets that could be sold in future to fund infrastructure.

Despite the economic slowdown, Perth's public infrastructure program is providing an opportunity for newcomers in the market to gain a beachhead.

Training standards in WA have been criticised by the auditor-general and big employers.

The state government has deferred the introduction of any cost-recovery fees for processing mining, exploration and prospecting applications.

The state opposition has reshuffled its shadow cabinet, prompted by Ken Travers moving from transport spokesman to the backbench.

Western Australia's Supreme Court is stretched to its limit, with case work surging, but there aren't enough judges.

Western Australia has experienced its first year of negative interstate migration since 2002, according to the latest population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Auditor-general Colin Murphy has found that state government ministers Kim Hames, John Day and Dean Nalder acted unreasonably and inappropriately when they withheld information from parliament.

The state government has announced an expansion of its Mobile Black Spot program, with plans for 130 new or upgraded mobile phone towers across regional and remote areas of Western Australia.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart wants employees at her Roy Hill iron ore project in Western Australia to accept pay cuts so job losses can be avoided.

The federal government is set to launch a major shape-up of the life insurance industry, a sector the corporate supervisor believes is dogged by bad advice and high commissions.

Treasurer Joe Hockey believes joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will provide massive new opportunities for Australia.

The state government plans to invite the private sector to bid for state-owned properties that aren't listed for sale under a proposed unsolicited bids process, while also announcing the listing of 40 extra assets in the second wave of its land sales program.

The state government expects to reap inabout $1 billion in revenue after signing a development agreement with the Woodside Petroleum-led Browse consortium to supply 800 perajoules of gas to the domestic market.

New research from publication The Economist indicates China will be the world's largest economy by 2026, with a forecast nominal GDP nearing $US30 trillion, and predicts the rise of Asian nations will drastically affect global politics.

The state government has provided a further $4.6 million for drilling and prospecting activities at 44 projects in Western Australia, including Fortescue Metals Group's Trifecta base metals project.

The state government has stopped funding the only part of its shark hazard mitigation strategy that makes sense, the state opposition and Greens say.

Federal Labor has agreed to back what it once labelled Tony Abbott's bowser bandit tax by reversing its opposition to indexation of the fuel excise.

The state government has appointed Donald Mackay-Coghill as chairman of Gold Corporation and Richard Hayes as chief executive, effective from next month.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has been selected as one of 10 organisations to provide business advice as part of the federal government's new entrepreneurs infrastructure program.

China won't be able to sustain the economic growth rates of the past decade despite some positive signs emerging from our largest trading partner, economist Saul Eslake told a WA Mining Club lunch in Perth last week.

The federal government plans to use $800 million previously earmarked for Queensland infrastructure to develop Western Australia and Northern Territory projects as well.

A damning report detailing corruption in the state authority tasked with prosecuting such misconduct is a reminder of the importance of oversight, an upper house MP says.

Member for Perth Alannah MacTiernan has accused the federal and Western Australian governments of trying to prevent scrutiny of the $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link.

The Australian dollar could fall below US70 cents next year as capital inflows subside, economist Saul Eslake told a WA Mining Club lunch in Perth yesterday.

Australia has formalised the most liberal trade deal China has with any country.