Australia's education minister has pledged a rapid increase in international students returning next year with hopes tens of thousands could be welcomed.
More than $120 million will be spent on boosting early childhood care and education in Indigenous communities, with most of the funding earmarked for an expansion of the Connected Beginnings program.
Universities and states will be forced to meet stringent conditions before the Morrison government considers plans to allow the return of international students.
Scott Morrison says two ministers who were the subject of a Four Corners program about a misogynistic culture in Canberra did not breach his code of conduct.
Georgiou Group and NRW Contracting are among three consortia shortlisted to widen Mitchell Freeway for southbound road users, with the $76 million project jointly funded by the state and federal governments.
The state government is poised to reveal its $4 billion plan for a new port at Kwinana as it seeks to ramp-up infrastructure projects to help kickstart the state's economic recovery from COVID-19.
A consortium including Georgiou Group has been selected as preferred proponent for the Tonkin Highway Gap project, while the state government has also promoted a number of initiatives to support construction jobs.
Balcatta-based PS Structures has secured the works to build a multi-storey car park at Mandurah railway station, as part of a $32 million project jointly funded by the state and federal government.
Three Perth-based contractors are members of two consortia shortlisted to build the $215 million extension of the Mitchell Freeway from Clarkson to Alkimos.
Perth company Georgiou Group has started upgrade works on High Street in Fremantle, as part of a $118 million state and federal government project designed to improve safety and reduce congestion.
Work has started on the state government's $716 million, 32 kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Link, but the Liberal opposition claims the Metronet project is two years behind schedule and its cost is blowing out.
Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia have confirmed they are in the early stages of planning new campuses in Perth's CBD, while Murdoch is also partnering with Spacecubed to launch a teaching and events space on St Georges Terrace.
The state government is seeking tenders to design and build a $32 million multi-storey car park at Mandurah Train Station, with construction to commence early next year.
The business sector has cautiously welcomed the federal government's announcement of a new visa scheme aimed at attracting high-paid and highly skilled workers to Australia, with the changes effectively reversing some of the stricter rules announced last year when the 457 visa sub-class was abolished.