Staff Reporters

CIVIL contractor Brierty Ltd has appointed former United Group Ltd executive manager Stuart Croft as its new chief executive to take over from company founder Alan Brierty.

Albidon Ltd Len Troncone and Kevin Hart have been appointed chief financial officer and company secretary respectively. Aurox Resources Ltd Richard Adrian has resigned as non-executive director.

Worried investors fear worse to come; Global share rout as insurer teeters; Stokes signs up to 'no conflict' gag; Babcock denies exposure to collapse; Woodside warns on forcing Shelf split

The state Labor Party lived up to expectations today when Eric Ripper won the leadership but caused a big surprise when little-known Roger Cook won the deputy leadership ahead of former education minister Mark McGowan.

Former treasurer Eric Ripper has been elected leader of the Western Australian Labor Party, two days after former leader Alan Carpenter resigned from the post.

Lehman crash sparks fears of world slump; Barnett hangs axe over major projects in search for Grylls' millions; Uranium stocks up as Libs take power; Falcone succumbs to Sinosteel; Liberal leadership comes to head

Outgoing treasurer Eric Ripper is firming up as the Labor Party favourite to replace former Premier Alan Carpenter, who resigned yesterday following a failed election campaign.

Subiaco-based PharmAust Ltd has pocketed over $3.5 million from the sale of its majority shareholding in Commonwealth Biotechnologies Inc.

Macmahon Holdings Ltd has warned of potential falls in Ausdrill Ltd's share price as shareholder support for the takeover wanes.

Two major shareholders in Western Australian iron ore miner Midwest Corporation Ltd have accepted the takeover offer from Chinese steelmaker Sinosteel, giving the bidder more than 82 per cent acceptances of its bid.

Grylls grants Barnett tenuous grip on power; Yilgarn clings to berth hope at Oakajee; Qantas pilots reject pay proposal; Lehman on brink as Fed steps in; Bank breaks rank on emissions

Western Australia's Nationals say they are getting down to the "business end" of choosing whether to form a government with Labor or the Liberals as both parties submit their power sharing proposals.

Premier Alan Carpenter has retained his party's leadership after a meeting of cabinet ministers today as the Liberal Party closes in on Labor in the crucial seat of Albany.

Shares in South Perth-based Finbar Group Ltd have been placed in a trading halt pending the release of an announcement that could have a "material effect on the value of its securities".

Ausdrill Ltd has blamed a fall in the company's share price on hedge fund selling after comments from suitor Macmahon Holdings Ltd that its takeover bid was unlikely to succeed.

$3bn costs delay Newmont mine; Jobs surprise adds to RBA rate dilemma; NAB woes aren't over, ABN warns; ANZ Capital chief leaves in lending review; Grylls says no deal with Labor unless Carpenter is in charge

Sinosteel is a step closer to full control of Midwest Corporation Ltd after Midwest shareholder Murchison Metals Ltd reversed its previous opposition to the Chinese company's takeover offer.

Some 50 per cent of shareholders have passed up Perth-based Axiom Properties Ltd's rights issue, with the company managing to raise $5.7 million from a targeted $11 million.

Western Australia's Nationals party has been handed more power in the outcome of the state election, with independent member for Kalgoorlie John Bowler announcing he will side with the party, potentially strengthening the Liberal claim to government.

Nats demand 'risks rating'; Seven's $320m buyback will hand Stokes majority control; Lehman woes rattle global markets; Sinosteel talks Midwest chief into leaving, eyes 13.2pc stake; Dollar sinks below 80 US cents

COOGEE Chemicals and sister company, Coogee Resources, have both appointed new chief executives with Coogee Resources also appointing a new chairman.Coogee Resources’ major shareholder Gordon Martin (

Antaria Ltd Thibaut Mortier has resigned as director. APA Financial Services Ltd Mark Perry has resigned from the board of directors.

While the Note generally prefers reading dusty old hardbacks tucked away in the corner of a private library, we begrudgingly accept that the digital age is upon us.

Land and mortgage sales in WA have plummeted to historic lows, as the Master Builders Association of WA forecasts a slow down in the residential property sector in the short-term despite last week’s

The third stage of apartment and duplex sites at Edith Cowan University’s former Churchlands campus has been released.

Amcom Telecommunications Ltd non-executive chairman Anthony Grist has increased his interest in the company through the on market acquisition of 5 million shares at a total cost of $850,000.

This Week’s Issues features the past week’s key news stories from WA Business News’ email news service.

THE state’s geothermal industry has been given a kick-start with the government awarding a private Guildford-based company the first exploration permits in Western Australia.

BHP Billiton executive Megan Clark will become the new chief executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation when Geoff Gartlett finishes his term in December.

WESTERN Australia’s two farming groups are at odds over the future of the National Party, with one urging Nationals leader Brendon Grylls to stick to his independent guns while the other has called fo

Malcolm McCusker QC has been awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws at the University of Western Australia’s spring graduation ceremonies.

The Young Men’s Christian Association, or YMCA as it is commonly known, is a world-renowned not-for-profit organisation active in 124 countries.