Tom Rabe

The federal government is considering wielding its ‘use it or lose it’ powers on undeveloped fields held by major energy companies.

The proxy battle pitches Australia’s largest gas producer against activists that argue its path could tip the balance towards more dangerous climate change.

Woodside Energy chairman Richard Goyder said the gas giant's under-fire climate action plan “is unlikely to receive majority shareholder support” based on proxies received before Wednesday's annual meeting.

China, the United Kingdom and India are among countries the Australian government hopes will buy more processed sheep meat after it bans live export.

A 16-year-old school boy shot dead by police in Perth over the weekend after a stabbing incident with “hallmarks of a terrorist incident” was part of a state-run deradicalisation program.

Amid a surge in Perth property prices, the WA government will give owners of vacant homes $5000 if they make them available for long-term renters.

Households and prospective home buyers are expected to benefit from new spending measures, while there is no additional funding for farmers, and still no changes to the state’s payroll tax system.

Overflowing mining royalties have helped propel the WA budget to yet another multi-billion dollar budget surplus.

Billionaire Kerry Stokes has faced political criticism - and calls for an ACCC investigation - for forcing The Australian Financial Review print edition out of his home state of WA.

WA’s population is tipped to exceed 3 million next year, with the state’s treasurer blaming record migration levels for unexpected increases in government spending.