Government

Growing demand for Western Australia's agricultural commodities from Asia and the Middle East has boosted exports to a new record of $6 billion for 2008/09.

The state government has taken the next step in the revitalisation of the South Hedland town centre with planning approval for the development of up to 130 townhouses and apartments plus commercial, medical and retail space.

The state government has announced plans for a development of more than 70 lots straddling the Bluff Point and Beresford suburbs, less than four kilometres north of Geraldton's central business district.

The federal government has introduced legislation to close the tax loophole around hobby farms and similar non-commercial pursuits by high-income individuals which is expected to deliver $700 million in revenue.

Start-up companies will have to repay financial support they receive from the federal government's Commercialisation Institute, which is being established as a replacement for the popular Commercial Ready grants scheme.

The state government today announced funding to the tune of $110 million for projects in the state's South West to coincide with the regional cabinet meeting in Bunbury.

The time lag with New South Wales and Victoria has served private businesses in Western Australia well with the state topping the nation in terms of profit growth, a new survey has found.

The state government has committed $3 million towards improving power reliability for Ravensthorpe with a hybrid system comprising of renewable energy and diesel to be implemented.

The $50 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas project will be a boon for the state, but Western Australia has not escaped unscathed from the global financial crisis, according to Access Economics.

AN Indian student approaches an education agent in his home city, after hearing that if he studies in Australia, he can get permanent residency.

INDUSTRY has given a tentative thumbs-up to Energy Minister Peter Collier's report into the state's long-term energy security to help guard against potential major supply disruptions.

Kevin Rudd may be leading the charge on the ETS, but another PM had the idea first.

UNCERTAINTY over the federal government's carbon pollution reduction scheme has cast a shadow over the growth prospects for the carbon offsets plantation industry.

The strength of the Australian dollar is good news for international speculators, but not for exporters.

The tourism industry needs the government to commit to a new accommodation program.

Many of the pioneers of private education in WA still cast a long shadow over one of the state’s biggest export industries.

ENERGY giant Shell has asked a number of its Perth-based staff to reapply for their positions next week, as it pushes on with a global restructure to redress a doubling of its cost base since 2004.

Local government in WA is poised to undergo a major transformation, adding greater significance to this year’s elections.

It’s time for some clarity on superannuation provider Gesb.

Australian corporate governance is the envy of many nations.

The state government has announced plans to split the Environmental Protection Authority from the Department of Environment and Conservation, in a move that has won rare bipartisan support from resources and conservation groups.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has paid a $100,000 fine from the corporate watchdog for an alleged failure to disclose a hike in its 2009 bad debt forecast ahead of a controversial $2 billion capital raising.

Uranium developer Toro Energy has appointed a specialist three-member project team to lead its flagship Wiluna project north of Kalgoorlie as the project's bankable feasability study moves towards completion by 2011.

'Luddites' keep Perth in dark on retail trading; Super review targets fund manager fees; Big Telstra holders blasted; Manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers sentiment flags; Rio unit soars on coal rebound

A revaluation of the recently re-purchased RAC Insurance by the Royal Automobile Club of WA has nearly offset the investment losses it felt at the hands of the global financial crisis.

The state Labor Party has rejected Premier Colin Barnett's 8pm weeknight trading compromise, but says it will support 7pm trading if the government supports its small business protection package.

A regulatory framework for back-up plans and a wider variety of gas market arrangements are some of the recommendations to help the state avert future gas shortages, in a report to be tabled in parliament today.

FMG decides not to tap China for cash; Mirvac bid to get whole of MREIT; Report reveal hoarding plans to avert gas crisis; Skills shortage risk to recovery; Banks' $8bn handout as outlook lifts

Tasmania and South Australia are Australia's top performing economies relative to their historic track record, contrasting with the resources-rich states of Western Australia and Queensland which are growing below par, a new CommSec study has concluded.

The Foreign Investment Review Board has given the greenlight to a $10.5 million investment by a Chinese company into Meridian Minerals, which will apply the funds to its Lennard Shelf zinc project in the Kimberley.

The pending outcome of the federal government's carbon pollution reduction scheme has created uncertainty for the Forest Products Commission of WA, which has had to cut staff numbers as part of a restructure to reflect the changing economy.

Boards slam executive pay reform; BHP clears hurdle in race for new uranium mine; Casposo 'at risk' in Troy board stoush; Help for rivals of big four banks; IMF doubts Asian growth