The Australian Greens have again urged federal Labor to increase its proposed mining tax, to better protect industries struggling under the weight of the high Australian dollar.
Security officers have escorted Premier Colin Barnett past shouting Aboriginal protesters from a venue in Kings Park after he outlined a native title settlement deal to Noongar people.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Labor will bring the federal budget back into surplus in 2012/13 but the opposition cannot make that commitment.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said a coalition government would get the budget back to surplus "as quickly as possible".
The federal government is intensifying pressure on the coalition over its stance on funding for the ailing automotive manufacturing industry.
The opposition plans to cut $500 million in assistance from the industry, if elected at the next federal poll, due in 2013.
Labor can win an election in 2013 if it delivers its plans for reshaping the economy, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.
But it will take a lot of hard work.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is wary of an economy where the only signs of strength are in the mining sector, after hundreds of jobs were slashed in the banking and manufacturing sectors.
The effectiveness of the Council of Australian Governments will be put to the test over this year as it tries to drive reforms to make the national economy more seamless.
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