Mark Beyer

A $5 million super computer established by Bentley company ISA Technologies will help a new research centre at Curtin University develop seismic technologies for mineral exploration.

Accountants, lawyers, real estate agents and jewellers will be among the many business groups affected by reporting and compliance obligations under planned anti-money laundering laws.

The number of Small Business Enterprise Centres in Western Australia has been cut from 35 to 26 and renamed the Small Business Centre Network, following a review and restructure by the State Government.

Spiralling construction costs have taken a mounting toll on planned resource projects in Western Australia. but the deferral of major projects could produce a good result by extending the state’s economic boom.

As many businesses consider new ways of supporting university training in light of Western Australia’s growing skills crisis, the Fogarty Foundation is one organisation already doing something.

Western Australia’s universities have called on the State Government to take a more strategic role in guiding and supporting development of the sector.

Curtin University’s council and Murdoch University’s senate have been forced to defer meetings scheduled for this week to make an official decision on their merger because of delays with a merger feasibility report.

The State Government has signed a Native Title agreement with the traditional owners in the East Kimberley, which it hopes will pave the way for further development of the Ord River irrigation project.

Australia's universities are highly competitive, especially in their pursuit of research dollars, yet some of the best research occurs when they collaborate.

The shortage of skilled labour has affected most industries in Western Australia, and universities are no exception.

The planned merger of Curtin and Murdoch universities highlights the major changes facing Western Australia’s higher education sector. WA Business News convened a boardroom forum to discuss the current issues and future outlook for the state’s public universities.

Belmont firm PCT Engineers has used its oil and gas expertise as a basis for diversifying into the defence sector, in partnership with east coast consulting firm Capability by Design.

A new technology float that is commercialising products developed in the US is working with Curtin University in Perth to research future developments.

Perth's Technology Park got an unexpected result when it invited the commercialisation experts from Perth’s four public universities to speak at its 20th anniversary conference last week.

The Royal Automobile Club of WA’s foray into the mortgage broking business has proved costly, with the group writing down the value of its broking arm by $4.3 million.

Financial services company Sealcorp is planning to hire an extra 45 technology staff in Perth, reinforcing its position as one of the biggest systems development houses in Western Australia.

The hospitality sector has introduced a new ‘fast track’ training scheme that will be the envy of other industries struggling to cope with the shortage of skilled labour in Western Australia.

Software developer Chris Farquhar, who established WiredCity in Perth in 1999, has scored another success following his move to Silicon Valley in California.

Burswood-based automotive supplies cooperative Capricorn Society has continued its rapid growth with sales revenue jumping 16 per cent to $537.6 million in the year to June 2005.

Listed Perth company ORT Limited has signed a funding agreement with Perpetual Investment Management that it hopes will end a year-long halt to work at its flagship waste treatment project.

Twenty years after Technology Park was established as a research and development centre in Bentley, the State Government is preparing to spend $25 million developing what it calls a technology precinct in the area.

The massive oil and gas projects in the north-west of Western Australia have overshadowed the development of the Perth Basin and the emergence of ARC Energy. Mark Beyer reports.

Western Power has deferred the sale of Bright Telecommuni-cations after turning around the subsidiary’s financial performance by focusing on niche Internet services.

Fremantle is poised to become home to Western Australia’s 30th Community Bank branch, which will break new ground by targeting the local business community.

The Gallop government has allocated an additional $890 million to cover extra capital works spending in the health system.

IBT Education has become the third listed Western Australian company in as many months to switch its audit work from a second-tier firm to one of the big four accounting firms.

The Gallop Government has reported a surprisingly large $1.24 billion budget surplus for 2004-05, adding to pressure on Treasurer Eric Ripper to deliver major tax cuts. Also releasing its final results this week was Western Power, which as expected report

Western Australia’s chief executives are the most confident in the country, according to the latest survey by The Executive Connection.

Sonic Healthcare subsidiary SKG Radiology has highlighted the growing cost of modern medical technology with its latest capital spending plans.

With a review of Western Australia’s public infrastructure concluding it is generally superior to other states, the Gallop Government is spending $4.7 billion this year to try and keep it that way.

Alumina and petrochemicals are set to join the iron ore and oil and gas industries as major drivers of the state’s extraordinary investment boom, WA Business News’annual major projects review has found.

Foodland Associated has reported a drop in net profit after spending $19.6 million on its takeover defence and subsequent demerger and schemes of arrangement.