Australia’s principal federal political leaders have rejected Gina Rinehart’s suggestion local wages are too high and are holding back the nation’s competitiveness.

Gina Rinehart’s “insulting” advice on how to become a millionaire by working hard and not drinking and smoking shows she’s out of touch with ordinary Australians, critics say.

Labor ministers rush to defend Australia’s future economic prospects after Martin Ferguson declares the resources boom “over”, sparking fierce debate.

It seems we earn more, pray less and love everyone, as jobs head west and cities expand with new waves of migration, the latest census reveals.

Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan has wished Black Caviar well as the champion mare aims to show the world how good she is at Royal Ascot tomorrow.

Prime Minister Gillard urges Europe to implement expansionary policies to rescue itself from the debt crisis, pointing to Australia as a model of growth with fiscal discipline.

Australian financial markets breathed a sigh of relief on Monday after Greece’s two main pro-bailout parties won enough votes to form a government, easing fears it could dump the euro currency and reject internationally agreed austerity measures.

Australia should aim to be a growth engine of the Asian Century, rather than just a passenger, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has stood by a deal to allow a major mining project to import as many as 1715 workers, despite facing a Labor caucus backlash and fresh leadership challenge claims.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has vowed to use international forums such as the Group of 20 to keep European leaders to their word in pursuing policies that grow their economies and encourage employment.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has declared economic strength goes hand in hand with fairness in Australian society.

Queensland mining billionaire Clive Palmer says the forecast surplus in the federal budget won’t be delivered.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says Australia’s years of deficits linked to the global recession are over and has urged the nation to look forward with optimism, as it shares in the mining boom.

Wayne Swan says the IMF have given his budget a “ringing endorsement” and Julia Gillard says it will “conquer” the pressure on her government, but Tony Abbott mocks a “cooked books surplus”.

Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer wants to take on Treasurer Wayne Swan in his inner Brisbane seat of Lilley as calls for an early election intensify.

HOMEOWNERS are braced for more interest rate hikes after Australia’s big banks failed to rule out following ANZ’s lead and lift lending rates independently of the central bank.

UNESCO officials arrive to address concerns the Great Barrier Reef is under threat from the operations of mining companies. The Australian government has been criticised for not taking action to protect the Heritage listed site.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has lashed out at the rising power of vested interests in Australia, warning that they are a threat to Australia’s ethos of a “fair go”.

Treasurer Wayne Swan hopes the prospect of a deal between Greece and its bond holders will help ease the excessive pessimism that is hurting the Australian and global economies.