Abbott calls Colin Barnett for advice

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is taking advice from Liberal colleagues about how to work his way into government.

One dead, four missing in Perth bushfires

Tim Clarke and Angie Raphael, Perth Fears are held for four people who remain unaccounted for in the Perth hills bushfire that have already claimed one life and destroyed 46 homes.

Kimberley coast songlines at risk

Melissa Fyfe The battle over the proposed gas plants near Broome has captured the hearts of musicians Missy Higgins and John Butler, and businessman Geoffrey Cousins.

'I love you guys ...': shark attack victim Zac Young's last words

Alexandra Smith, Manuel Mitternacht Grief-stricken teenagers have spoken of the moment their friend Zac Young was attacked by a tiger shark off NSW mid-north coast.

Gallagher may push Pyne for better school funding agreement

Daniel Hurst The ACT government will demand a better deal from the Abbott government on school funding if the hold-out states are lured with more favourable offers.

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Prince heading home after WA stop

Special forces and surfing spots were on Prince Harry's mind as he completed his whirlwind tour with a brief stopover in Western Australia.

WA Premier will keep up fight for GST increase despite PM's rebuff

Tim Colebatch West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he will keep fighting for an increase in the rate of GST to pay for essential state services, despite a rebuff from Prime Minister Tony Abbott and little...

Pearl jam

Ben Hills The Paspaley family business has lost much of its precious lustre, with cheap imports pushing pearl prices through the (ocean) floor.

Rudd in last-ditch bid with WA's Barnett

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to host a $2500-a-head fundraiser in Perth after a last-ditch bid to talk the West Australian Premier into signing up to the Better Schools reforms.

Gillard faces difficult talks in WA

Prime Minister Julia Gillard may face a frosty reception from West Australian Premier Colin Barnett on her flying visit to the state.

NT leader signs on to disability scheme

The Northern Territory has signed on to the federal government’s national disability insurance scheme, leaving Western Australia as the only holdout.

Coalition blames unions, dollar for Browse gas blow

Ben Cubby, Peter Hannam 'Outrageous' industrial action and the soaring dollar had priced Australia out of the market for onshore LNG projects, says Ian Macfarlane, the Coalition's resources spokesman.

Convincing win for Coalition in WA

Labor challenger Mark McGowan concedes defeat in the West Australian election.

Gillard's leadership set to remain in spotlight

As federal Labor MPs pack their suitcases to return to Canberra this week they could well bring further leadership speculation with them.

Federal woes hurt Labor in the west

Katharine Murphy Labor's political woes federally affected efforts by WA Labor leader Mark McGowan to defeat Premier Colin Barnett , senior ministers say.

Victoria throws education reforms into disarray

Farrah Tomazin Furious Gillard government warns more than $1 billion in funding placed at risk.

Swan drank with PM the night before coup

Peter Hartcher THE night before he turned against his prime minister, Wayne Swan went to Kevin Rudd's office for a drink and congratulated him on defending the newly announced mining tax, a new book reports.

John Butler takes protest to BHP HQ

Deborah Gough Mining giant BHP Billiton was described as "relative good guy" and investment bankers were "radical greenies" at a protest this morning featuring iconic musician John Butler.

No tax hikes for Gonski reform: PM

Bianca Hall and Michelle Grattan Prime Minister Julia Gillard has ruled out raising taxes to pay for the Gonski schools funding reforms, dismissing the suggestion as an opposition scare campaign.

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