Latest Headlines

The federal government is happy to look at any future proposal for a nuclear power plant, but won't be offering taxpayer support.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott concedes there's pressure on the budget that wasn't there at the start of 2014.

NBN Co has named the next 460 suburbs and towns to get the new-look National Broadband Network.

The Australian share market is lower as oil stocks again suffer a pummelling, following OPEC's decision not to cut production.

A free fall in petroleum stocks was the most striking element of an otherwise lacklustre week on Wall Street.

Gold has neared a two-week low as weaker oil prices and a firmer US dollar pressure investors' appetites for protection from inflation.

The Australian dollar is under pressure against a stronger greenback.

The southern town of Augusta will be home to a new artificial reef as a Western Australian company uses local technology to improve productivity in abalone ranching.

The state's investment in Finbar's Pelago property development may have become the subject of recent controversy, but some in Karratha's small business community are in no doubt that the strategy is good for the Pilbara.

Western Australia's clean energy sector is undergoing a shakeup after the state's premier lobbying organisation announced it was closing and would be replaced by a WA chapter of the Clean Energy Council.

Fortescue Metals Group has ended a tough week for the iron ore sector by halving its projected capital expenditure for the 2015 financial year to $US650 million, in response to the continued weakening of the iron ore price.

Engineering construction contractor Primero Group has won its first job at Chevron's Wheatstone gas project, lifting its order book to $50 million.

The falling Australian dollar has been a positive development for growers of the state's two largest agricultural exports as the harvest cranks up across the grain belt.

The share market has suffered its largest fall in seven weeks as energy stocks were punished on weaker oil prices.

Export growth has helped lift Western Australia's economic performance above budget expectations, with gross state product up nearly 5.5 per cent in real terms over the 12 months to June 30, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Western Australia's biggest homebuilder and the state's most prolific land developer say the heat has come out of the new house and land market, with home buyers set to reap the rewards of an affordability breakthrough over the next 12 months.

South Metropolitan Region MLC Phil Edman has called for an overhaul of the Department of State Development over the allocation of a prime beachfront plot of industrial land to global giant Puma Energy, which is planning to build an $80 million bulk fuel storage depot.

Universities are preparing for a major hit to revenue in 2015 as the long awaited half-cohort leaves high school to enter the tertiary education and training sector.

Local government representatives from Perth's suburban north-west have visited Canberra in an effort to spark federal support for the growth of the region.

Cloud-based web/phone application designed for Australian individuals and businesses to record their work-related income and expenses, on the go, in three easy steps.

Shares in Australia's oil and gas players are being hammered as tumbling crude prices prompt investors to re-examine major resources projects.

In this week's Podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer talk to James Lush about the tough times in the iron ore sector, the good news in the private equity market and more.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has called on business leaders to speak up against government regulations she says are making it harder for Australia to compete.

The Australian share market has opened sharply lower as oil stocks were pummelled following OPEC's decision not to cut production.

Rio Tinto has deferred making an investment decision on its proposed billion-dollar new iron ore mine in West Australia's Pilbara region but is sticking with plans to ramp up production of the commodity.

The Australian dollar is lower, weighed down by a big fall in the prices of oil and other commodity prices.

Gold has fallen to the lowest level in a week as assets in the largest exchange-traded product backed by the metal shrank to the smallest in more than six years. Silver, platinum and palladium also decreased.

Colin Barnett hopes his capital works program will one day be seen in the same light as those of WA political giants, Charles Court and John Forrest.

Engineering firm Calibre Group has forecast a gloomier than expected outlook for its business due partly to depressed iron ore and coal prices.

Perth landlords have been urged to improve their properties or adjust their rents in response to significant changes in the rental market.

Education provider Navitas has announced a slowing of growth for its university programs division, due to stricter entrance requirements put in place to combat fake applications from foreigners.

Cash Converters International says it plans to raise $45 million to help terminate commissions to development agents on its rapidly growing personal loans business.