Edited announcement

Perth-headquartered bio-nanotech company pSivida Ltd will raise around $21.3 million through the sale of its American Depository Shares and warrants to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc, under the $203 million research deal announced earlier this year.

West Perth-based hydrocarbon developer European Gas Ltd will raise $58 million through the issue of convertible notes to what it describes as a "substantial European group", to fund the acquisition of a series of natural gas production assets.

Ascot-based olive oil maker Olea Australis Ltd will raise $500,000 through a placement to fund the continued expanion of its Dandaragan Estate.

West Perth-based Ironbark Gold Ltd will subdivide its issued capital on a basis of five shares for every one held, to increase liquidity and affordability of its shares, as well as completing the acquisiton of the Citronen Zinc Project.

West Perth-based platinum company Nkwe Platinum Ltd has reached agreement with Indian Ocean Capital Pty Ltd to underwrite the exercise of the company's unlisted options, resulting in Nkwe receiving $7 million.

The Federal Government has announced a change to the GST registration threshold, with those turning over less than$75,000 per year, $150,000 for not-for-profit organisations, being exempt from registering.

Three new marine sanctuary zones have been created on Rottnest Island, with two existing zones expanded to help protect the island's marine life, Tourism Minister Sheila McHale announced today.

Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts announced today the creation of an agency to help the building industry work more efficiently as well as providing better consumer protection.

The Corruption and Crime Commission will conduct an investigation into whether there has been misconduct in the relationship between the Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr Neale Fong, and former premier Brian Burke, after a referral from the

Shareholders of Robert Champion de Crespigny-chaired Scarborough Minerals plc and Perth-based minerals investor Mineral Securities Ltd have approved a merger proposal between the two, with the companies now seeking the approval of the English Courts.

Perth-based IT services provider ASG Group Ltd will become a major corporate sponsor of the North Melbourne Football Club.

Perth-based industry publisher Aspermont Ltd has formed a strategic alliance with rural consultancy Kondinin Group for future projects, starting with an online newsletter, Aspermont has announced.

An initiative to ban the use of drag nets by recreational fishermen in the Peel Harvey Estuary from July 6 was launched today by Fisheries Minister John Ford, to reduce the pressure on blue swimmer crab stocks.

Western Australia, with the support of the other States and Territories, is seeking Federal Government agreement to a new six-point plan to tackle housing affordability.

West Perth-based nickel company Western Areas Ltd has completed the issue of $225 million worth of convertible bonds, with funds to be applied to a feasibility study at its Diggers South project.

West Perth-based exploration company Platinum Australia Ltd has raised $12.5 million in a placement to fund a standby security deposit for its Smokey Hills platinum project.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Equinox Minerals Ltd has appointed former Placer Dome Inc chief executive Peter Tomsett as chairman in a non-executive capacity, replacing Brian Penny who will remain a director of the company.

The chief executive of Balcatta-based transport systems technology developer ERG Group Ltd, Allan Sullivan, will retire today, the company said in an announcement.

West Perth-based Anvil Mining Ltd has been cleared by a military court of any involvement in the violation of human rights during the suppression of a rebel insurgency in the Democratic Republic of Congo town of Kilwa by the nation's army in 2004.

Perth-based financial services technology company ThinkSmart Ltd will provide its RentSmart IT rental finance product to Coles Group's Officeworks and Harris Technology chains for the next three years under a new agreement.

West Perth-based African-focused gold and base metals explorer Shield Mining Ltd has been granted a new permit for gold and base metals exploration in Mauritania, the company has announced.

Consolidated Minerals Ltd has turned down a takeover proposal from Perth-based Territory Resources Ltd, citing "significant concerns" about the offer.

Territory Resources Ltd chairman Michael Kiernan plans to change the "moribund" board of takeover target Consolidated Minerals Ltd if his group succeeds in its $850 million takeover bid.

Ord River cane growers have negotiated a $4 million deal with the state government so they can puchase the region's sugar mill for processing of this year's crop, but long-term ownership of the mill remains unclear.

Wembley-based winemaker Evans & Tate Ltd has won Supreme Court approval to defer a meeting of convertible noteholders until July 27, following a merger offer from Ferngrove Vineyards Ltd.

Sweden-based Ericsson Inc will propose a split trial in its licence agreement dispute with West Perth-based intellectual property consultancy ipernica Ltd, the Australian company announced today.

Karratha construction company Decmil Australia Pty Ltd has won the $17 million contract for Fortescue Metals Group's rail workshops facility, one day after the company was formally acquired by Belmont-based industrial services company Paladio Ltd.

Consolidated Minerals Ltd annouced today that it has received an indicative takeover proposal from Territory Resources Ltd pitched at $3.72 per share, well above the $2.82 per share currently being

WA auditor-general Colin Murphy has blamed inaccurate data for the poor assessment record of the state's controversial, $450 million-a-year land tax which resulted in 10 per cent of assessments being reissued this financial year alone.

The 117 Western Australian companies to float on the ASX in the 2006-07 financial year have raised over $1.8 billion, up 19 per cent from the previous period, according to Deloitte's IPO Annual Report.

Mt Pleasant-based oil and gas exploration group Alto Energy International Ltd has raised around $283,000 from the sale of its Appalachian leases, the company announced today, after finalising its exit from the area.

The State government will seek expressions of interest from private sector developers for the redevelopment of the former Carine TAFE campus, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has announced.