Mark Beyer

The federal government has contracted four groups in Western Australia to run a new support network designed to lift completion rates for apprentices, but has caused disquiet by excluding a major group-training organisation from the scheme.

The fate of Perth companies iiNet and Amcom Telecommunications rests with Sydney competitor TPG Telecom and its reclusive chairman David Teoh, and possibly with the competition watchdog, after a day of surprises.

Emeco Holdings has entered merger discussions with Queensland-based Orionstone, three weeks after the rival mining equipment supplier proposed a nil-premium merger.

Developers of new residential projects in Perth are looking for ways to co-exist with established industrial activity.

Iron ore miner Mineral Resources is pressing ahead with plans for innovative ‘skyrail’ and trans-shipping projects in the Pilbara, saying that together they can cut $25 per tonne off its operating costs.

The receivers who took charge of the Windimurra vanadium project in February have put the trouble-plagued mine up for sale, with Gresham Advisory Partners appointed to find a buyer.

Fremantle Ports has defended plans to privatise its automotive terminal, after the competition watchdog warned that putting a monopoly service in the hands of a private company could lead to higher prices for car buyers.

Five weeks after announcing a $7.2 million rights issue, and three weeks after getting a loan from two of its directors, Viento Group has called a trading halt on its shares while it considers funding options.

LandCorp has launched the first-stage of its ambitious Cockburn Coast redevelopment project, which it envisages will become home to 12,000 people in medium and high-density housing.

BHP Billiton has deferred planned capital spending to improve its operations at Port Hedland harbour, after better-than-expected performance from its existing assets enabled the mining giant to lift its production guidance for the current financial year.

Property developers with projects worth as little as $2 million and as much as $10 million can choose to have their proposals evaluated by a Development Assessment Panel rather than their local council.

Four months after listing on the ASX, technology company DTI Group has slashed its revenue and profit guidance for the current financial year after being hit by delays in the awarding of prospective contracts, deferred deliveries to the US market and softer sales in the US.

Rio Tinto's iron ore shipments have fallen 12 per cent during the March quarter, a period when it was largely blamed for oversupplying and pushing down the price of Australia's top export.

China has become WA’s biggest wine export destination, but finding the best way to market is still a learning experience for local producers.

Treasurer Mike Nahan said today Western Australia might get an extra $660 million from Canberra to make up for the shortfall in GST grants but conceded the amount, timing and use of the funds, were all yet to be decided.

Junior manganese miner Kaboko Mining has been placed into receivership, nine months after a falling out with its major funding partner, Noble Resources.

Premier Colin Barnett was left angry and disappointed after today's meeting of the nation's leaders failed to resolve the dispute over Western Australia's share of GST funds.

Hartleys has lifted funds under management above $1 billion for the first time, a milestone that new chairman Ian Parker believes will help the stockbroking firm weather the current downturn in resources.

Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has set himself an ambitious goal, telling shareholders he wants to more than double the number of women on the company’s board over the next two years.

Sydney company ACFS Port Logistics has outlined development plans for an industrial site at Rous Head, after announcing a joint venture with Asciano subsidiary Patrick Port Logistics.

Education services company Navitas has extended its reach into Sydney’s western suburbs, after signing a 50:50 joint venture agreement with the University of Western Sydney to establish a pathway college for international students.

Social Ventures Australia has launched its first state-based venture philanthropy fund, with the new fund designed to invest in a portfolio of high-impact not-for-profit ventures in Western Australia.

The Water Corporation is cutting 10 per cent of its workforce, with about 300 full-time jobs to go, as it reduces the amount of capital investment.in new infrastructure.

Fortescue Metals Group has restructured rosters for mine workers at its operations in the Pilbara, in its latest move to cope with plunging iron ore prices.

Shareholders in Tanami Gold have overwhelmingly supported a tie-up with Northern Star Resources, despite the threat of legal action from rival miner and would-be partner Metals X.

Toll Group is anticipating a sizeable increase in the volume of freight it handles at Fremantle, after commencing operations at a $26 million container handling facility it is developing at Rous He

The Perth Freight Link road project could extend the capacity of Fremantle harbour and lead to a rethink on long-term planning for a second container port at Kwinana.

The private sector is developing light rail projects on the Gold Coast and in Sydney, and there is no shortage of investors, builders and operators able to do the same in Perth.

Atlas Iron has announced it will halt all production at its three Pilbara iron ore mines over the next month, a move that is likely to result in the loss of more than 500 jobs.

A new supply deal struck this week by Western Australia’s largest buyer of domestic gas, Alcoa of Australia, has confirmed the availability of gas for customers prepared to pay the going price.

Perth will play host to chief executives from seven of the world’s biggest energy and engineering companies during the LNG18 conference, to be held in April next year.

Only four out of Western Australia's top 20 companies currently meet a gender target set by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, which wants women to fill 30 per cent of board positions on S&P/ASX 200 companies within three years.