Business News

Bronwyn Barnes will transition as non-executive chair of Indiana Resources to executive chair, in order to focus on leading activities to protect the rights of shareholders in the

Airbnb says 4.5 million people booked rooms on its online lodging platform in regional Australia last year, with 260,000 guests visiting regional Western Australia, confirming the widespread uptake of its accommodation services.

The Yamatji Indigenous community has celebrated a landmark economic package and native title recognition for more than 100,000 hectares of land in Western Australia’s Mid West.

Mackerel Islands will begin managing Karijini Eco Retreat as of next month, with the Pilbara-based operator taking over operations of the Gumala Enterprises-owned facility.

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Paul Vogel, Steve Rowe, Grant Bowen, Kaylene Gulich, Robert Kennedy, Rob Cossart, Tym Duncanson, Robert Mosig, Murray Criddle, Paul Catalano, Wayne Scheggia, Gary Morgan, Bob Kucera, Richard Gregson, Jane Chiang, and Joe Lamhut.

Our board moves wrap includes Michelle Prater, Howard Golden, Steven Michael, Richard Homsany, Nathan McMahon, Michael Jefferies, and Wayne Zekulich.

National retail spending fell by a worse-than-expected 0.5 per cent in a fire-affected December, however, retail giant Coles recorded a surprisingly strong Christmas period.

Nationals MPs Keith Pitt and Darren Chester have been elevated to federal cabinet in a ministerial reshuffle.

Our board moves wrap includes Andrew Penkethman, Katina Law, Tim Edwards, David Straface, Jordan Luckett, Justin Barton, and Greg Cunnold.

AMP has been ordered to pay a $5.2 million penalty after the Federal Court found the bank had failed to take reasonable steps to ensure its financial planners complied with the best interests duty.

Biotech company Zelira Therapeutics has received commitments to raise around $4.6 million from a share placement, while rent.com.au is planning an underwritten $2.9 million rights issue.

Richard Homsany has joined the board of Brookside Energy as a non-executive director.

Perth-based engineering group Clough has secured a design and construction contract with ASX-listed Australian Bauxite for an aluminium fluoride production plant in NSW.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held the cash rate at a record low 0.75 per cent, as widely expected by economists.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has repelled a leadership challenge from Barnaby Joyce, emerging victorious in a party room ballot this morning, while Adam Bandt has been elected unopposed as Greens leader following the resignation of Richard Di Natale.

A summary of the smaller deals from last week, which may not have been included in our daily news coverage.

Our board moves wrap includes Robin Longley, Michelle Li, David Brown, Brenda Berlin, Tim Allison, Evan Cross, Andrew Steers, Michael Hendriks, Wayne Bramwell, and Patrick Corr.

Building approvals in Western Australia rose by 3.6 per cent to 982 in December, while total housing approvals across Australia dipped 0.2 per cent.

Primero Group has increased its order book to $195 million for the 2020 financial year after securing $100 million worth of engineering and construction contracts with Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan has quit cabinet today and thrown his support behind former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who has announced plans to seek leadership of the National Party tomorrow. It follows the resignation of deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie yesterday and Greens leader Richard Di Natale today.

Our board moves wrap includes Alastair Clayton, Kane Marshall, Kinga Doris, Peter Tazewell, and Rebecca ​Stringer-Krein.

Seven regional roads in Western Australia, including Great Eastern Highway and Indian Ocean Drive, will receive $17.5 million worth of upgrades this financial year in efforts to improve safety and prevent run-off crashes.

There have been 18 insolvency appointments to Western-Australian-incorporated companies since January 11.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia will make an $83 million provision for insurance claims from the recent bushfires across the country.

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Mark McCrory, Neil Siford, Justine Lea, Ian Shepherd and Jane Cutler.

Design agency HASSELL has been selected to develop a master plan for the 56-hectare Burswood Park on the Swan River foreshore.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has sold its 10.5 per cent interest in Red 5 for $39 million, completed through a book build process at 30 cents per share prior to the ASX market open today.

Construction has commenced on the Bushfire Centre of Excellence based at Nambeelup near Mandurah, with Perkins Builders contracted to deliver the site’s $18 million build.

The City of Perth will hold elections on October 17, Local Government Minister David Templeman announced today, following the council’s dissolution.

United Way WA, Barking Gecko Theatre and Co3 Australia are among the beneficiaries of $2.1 million of donations from Healthway and Lotterywest to aid companies in executing public health and wellbeing programs.

A ban on using mobile phones during school hours will start for all public school students in Western Australia and Victoria.

A summary of the smaller deals from last week, which did not get included in our daily news coverage.