Mark Beyer

Westview Group has signed an agreement with Hatch to finalise the remaining engineering, approvals and construction planning required for a final investment decision on its planned steel mill.

Matrix Composites & Engineering has entered an exclusivity deed that increases the prospect it will agree to a takeover offer from Advanced Innergy Holdings.

Shares in Matrix Composites & Engineering rose strongly today but are still slightly below the price at which Advanced Innergy Holdings plans to bid for the Perth company.

Advanced Innergy Holdings has lobbed a second takeover offer for Perth-based Matrix Composites & Engineering after addressing issues that caused its first offer to flounder last year.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest's bootmaker RM Williams has signalled its desire to grow into western Europe and Japan after opening a flagship store in London.

Three of Perth's wealthiest families have received a financial boost after their private company posted another big profit courtesy of a 54-year old royalties deal with Rio Tinto.

Insurance giant IAG has raised the spectre of Perth being hit by a big earthquake like in Christchurch to argue it should be allowed to buy RAC's insurance business.

The government contracts will provide a big boost to renewable power in the South West but there is debate over how much the projects will help to replace coal-fired power.

Justin Fris and Mark Beyer reflect on the 60th anniversary of iron ore exports out of WA.

Business News looks back at the pioneering role played by the likes of Lang Hancock, the little-known Stan Hilditch and Collie's Griffin Coal.

Justin Fris and Mark Beyer discuss Business News' recent junior miners magazine feature.

Advanced Navigation plans to scale-up its high-tech production site in Balcatta as part of a global expansion focused on technology that effectively replaces GPS.

UPDATED: ASX-listed Matsa Resources said mining and processing of gold from its Devon Pit mine are proceeding as planned after speculation it would be affected by fuel shortages.

Rio Tinto and BHP have committed to spend a further $US500 million at their Resolution Copper joint venture after a legal breakthrough for the much-delayed mining project.

The Motor Trades Association of Australia has made a last-minute call for industry players to respond to an ACCC survey on IAG's renewed bid to purchase RAC's insurance business.

GenusPlus Group has made its largest acquisition to date, paying up to $55 million for Perth-based Railtrain Holdings to support its continued growth and diversification.

US-based multinational Culligan has added to its global network by purchasing rapidly-growing Perth business Complete Home Filtration, which will continue under its current leadership.

Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation has launched an expression of interest process for customers wanting to buy renewable energy or access its planned transmission network in the Pilbara.

The private company that owns Rottnest Express has struck a deal to buy the SeaLink ferry business and Captain Cook Cruises, substantially boosting its share of the key market.

Mark Beyer and Justin Fris discuss Genus' power up.

David Riches does not fit the classic mould for an ASX chief executive yet his distinctive approach has helped GenusPlus Group achieve enormous success.

Alcoa Australia has made an unprecedented commitment to pay $55 million to support remediation of its mine sites as it strives for environmental approval for its South West operations.

Ryan Stokes-led SGH and its US partner Steel Dynamics have announced an improved takeover proposal for Australia's largest steel producer, valuing BlueScope Steel at $15 billion.

Five Western Australians have been included in Angus Taylor's new shadow ministry, which features Tim Wilson and Susan McDonald in the important treasury and resources portfolios.

The owner and operator of Australia's largest hazardous waste repository has completed a 250-metre-long dome that paves the way for a major expansion of its facility north of Kalgoorlie.

The loss was the first since Perth Festival started disclosing its annual results and came despite a 20 per cent jump in government grants to $17.6 million.

UPDATED: Laurence Escalante is stepping down as CEO of online gaming giant VGW after he appeared in a Perth court, accused of eight family violence, drug and burglary offences.

US outfit Osmose Utilities Services has completed two Australian acquisitions, with the vendors including Perth investor Tim Moore and members of the Figliomeni family.

Mark Beyer and Nadia Budihardjo discuss Westview Group, and its plans to build a major steel mill.

ANALYSIS: To understand today's backflip on coal subsidies, its instructive to look at a recent damning review of the government agency driving energy policy in WA.

Global engineering firm Wood has won a two-year contract extension worth up to $US65 million ($A100 million) for work on Woodside Energy's North West Shelf gas facilities.

MAG PREVIEW: Business News explores Westview Group's plans to develop Australia's first new steel mill in 40 years.