Government

It's the big deal nobody knows anything about.

Some farmers will have to take a hit for the nation if proposed plans to build more dams are approved, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says.

New South Wales has knocked off Western Australia as the country's strongest economy, as the glow of the mining investment boom continues to fade.

Colin Barnett has promised not to increase iron ore royalty rates amid an awkward stoush with the world's biggest miners.

With the abolishment of the carbon tax, Transperth fares will be reduced by 1.5 per cent from November 1 while a free day of travel has been arranged for November 3 to compensate for fares already charged.

The Western Australian premier has downplayed his verbal attack on BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, claiming he never suggested the two mining giants were colluding.

Foreign buyers are flocking to buy Australian property, snapping up one out of every six new homes - and that number is set to get higher.

Climate experts have no doubt Australia has the highest per capita emissions in the developed world.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has blasted the Australian National University's "stupid decision" to get rid of its fossil fuels share portfolio.

Consumers are starting to feel a little more optimistic, but confidence remains down in the dumps.

The state government has agreed to increase the price it pays Premier Coal for its coal supplies, as uncertainty continues over the fate of fellow Collie producer Griffin Coal.

The Western Australian premier has again accused BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto of flooding a depressed iron ore market, putting further downward pressure on the commodity's price.

In a report due to be released next month, the OECD will present a picture of the state of the digital economies of its member countries.

The federal government will spend $400 million on tax breaks for start-up companies and innovation centres in a bid to kick-start the economy.

Australian business confidence has taken a dive in the face of tough trading conditions and dwindling profits.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne has described Australian National University's controversial decision to divest its fossil fuels share portfolio as bizarre.

Education funding cuts in Western Australia will leave 90 per cent of the state's public school students worse off, the teachers' union says.

Australia has the second best retirement savings system in the world, according to a survey of global pensions.

Chinese demand continues to drive export growth in Western Australia, with more than 57 per cent ($6.2 billion) of the state's $10.9 billion of goods exports in August bought by China.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum is seeking to recover about $11 million in unpaid royalties amid producer disquiet about possible royalty rate increases.

Small-to medium-sized businesses can expect savings on their energy bills of between five and 10 per cent following the axing of the carbon tax, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says.

China's surprise decision during free trade talks to impose tariffs on Australian coal shows the importance of getting an agreement soon, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Growth in housing finance cooled in August, but investors continue to dominate the market due to sluggish growth in loans for owner occupiers.

About 1,500 jobs will be slashed from Western Australia's public sector in a bid to tackle the state's slowing economy.

The unemployment rate rose in September, but economists are taking the figures with a grain of salt after the Australian Bureau of Statistics admitted there were problems with its recent data.

Treasurer Joe Hockey says the government will spend whatever it needs to defend Australia.

The huge rise in employment in August and the spike in the jobless rate a month earlier didn't actually happen - the Australian Bureau of Statistics intends to revise most of it away.

The International Monetary Fund expects Australia will have the worst jobless rate in the Asia-Pacific region, bar the Philippines, over the next two years.

Federal Labor is considering doing a deal with the government to exclude the aluminium industry from the renewable energy target.

Interest rates don't appear to be moving any time soon, with recent falls in the Australian dollar still failing to impress the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Perth's established suburbs accounted for just 28 per cent of all urban land development in 2012, well below the long-term 'infill' target of 47 per cent, prompting calls for regulatory reform from the Property Council of Australia.

Tony Abbott won't say whether the budget has improved or worsened since the coalition came to power just over a year ago, instead saying it was more "honest".