Government

Western Australia is likely to be one of the few developed economies in the world to avoid a recession during the global economic slowdown, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA said today in its quarterly economic snapshot.

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The state government has contributed $7.4 million from the royalties for regions scheme for the upgrade of the Gascoyne irrigation pipeline, which will unlock the region's potential to become a key food producer.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lift the official cash rate has caused surprise and dismay from various lobby groups, with one from WA saying the central bank has acted too hastily.

Australia has become the first western economy in the world to lift interest rates with the Reserve Bank of Australia today increasing the official cash rate by 25 basis points.

The state government has revealed plans to increase foreshore land reserves for the Swan and Canning river systems as part of an overall plan to create a network of pathways, including one that stretches from Fremantle to the Swan Valley.

Increasing land and housing options and promoting housing growth through not-for-profit and private partnerships are some of key principles released today in a housing taskforce report that provides a directions blueprint for the state's housing needs.

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Australia's job market has continued to strengthen despite talk of an interest rate rise, with 14 per cent of companies expecting to increase employee numbers in the December quarter, according to the latest Dun & Bradstreet's Business Expectations survey

Iron ore junior Australasian Resources is awaiting ministerial conditions to progress its Balmoral South iron ore development following the release of the Environmental Protection Authority's report on the project.

Fremantle-based minerals company Cleveland Mining has secured three mining projects in central Brazil which the newly-formed outfit hopes will deliver significant production levels following detailed geological investigations of the projects.

The state government and Woodside have signed an agreement that will accelerate key studies and planning for a liquefied natural gas hub for Browse Basin gas at James Price Point.

The state government has announced the appointment of Graham Thomson as the chair of the Regional Development Council for the next two years.

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The federal government has allocated $5.5 million to Western Australia for the restoration and conservation of some of the state's heritage places, including the main cell block within the Fremantle Prison.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has admitted the state government has no power to unwind a $160,000 pay increase to the chief executive of government superannuation fund GESB, Michele Dolin.

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The state government expects to receive more than the 115 local government reform submissions it has already received, which highlight potential areas for reform in the face of possible council amalgamations.

The number of Western Australian business rated as a high risk of failure has risen from a year ago despite signs suggesting the economy is on the mend, new analysis shows.

The Russell Barnett-chaired pharmaceutical company Freedom Eye is set to become a uranium player after it agreed to acquire a project near Meekatharra from Empire Resources.

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THE agricultural sector may have surrendered its status as the driving force behind Western Australia's export growth, but it continues to be a major contributor to the state.

A stronger Australian currency will pose major challenges in the year ahead.

The cloud hanging over car dealers has dispersed, as conditions improve.

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

Western Australia’s exporters have defied the global downturn to deliver another record performance in 2008-09. So who are the key players behind the numbers?

THE property development sector has strongly endorsed the state government's planning reform agenda, which was released last week by the Planning Minister John Day.

Financial markets are important but can sometimes get too much attention.

EXPANSION of Western Australia's port capacity remains a high priority for local industry, despite the dampening impact of the global economic crisis.

Getting the bureaucratic balance right is a challenge for the red tape task force.

TEACHING is widely regarded as a recession-proof profession.And it appears those companies that turn a profit from private education have also come out largely unaffected by the economic downturn.

ITALIAN renaissance scientist Galileo Galilei is purported to have said "to count what is countable, measure what is measurable, and what is not measurable, make measurable".