Government

State parliament has passed through a number of amendments that will give government stronger powers to obtain information from local councils when carrying out investigations.

The state opposition has called into question claims the construction of a private port in Kwinana will start within 12 months, after it uncovered no progress had been made on key negotiations.

Board war as Fairfax family demands Walker's scalp; Population blow-out to strain budget; Trial mining a major step for BC Iron; After the panic, $4bn is hoarded; Leighton linked to new Gorgon deal

Premier Colin Barnett says he will not take any legal action after a parliamentary committee cleared him of any wrong doing over the removal of a Peppermint Grove property from the state's heritage list.

Australia's chance of hosting the FIFA world cup is being jeopardised by the Barnett government's incompetent handling of WA's stadium development, the state opposition claims.

Unions declare war on BHP, each other; Labor plan to break up Telstra divides coalition; Cowboys not welcome in WA; ATO targets wealthy in trusts blitz; Stimulus to be felt for decade

Finding the balance between domestic needs and those of our trading partners is a challenge for policy makers.

The nation’s future prosperity starts at school, but a rethink may be needed on the provision of education.

Planning reforms announced last week set a constructive example the state government should follow with vigour.

WESTERN Australia has entered a new era of oil and gas-led development that will underpin the state's economic growth for decades, according to the head of the $43 billion Gorgon LNG project at Barrow Island.

PERSONAL protective equipment, or PPE, has become an increasingly important safety control measure for workers exposed to risk.

The proposed redevelopment of the Midland Railway Workshops is set to enliven the historic centre.

The major political parties in Australia are coming ever closer in their approach to governance.

The city of lights tends to rank highly in global surveys, but what does that mean?

Is WA prepared for the next wave of growth?

FIXING state generator Verve Energy must not be done at the expense of electricity retailer Synergy's ability to underwrite new third party generation, the state government has been warned.

TWO not-for-profit organisations this month demonstrated that carefully planned and targeted fundraising activities can achieve outstanding results in spite of the poor economic conditions.

TWO of Perth's biggest builders have welcomed last week's announcement of planning reforms, but are concerned about the timeliness of their introduction and have urged the state government to further simplify the planning process.

THE past 12 months has been tough for most businesses but especially for the state's major sporting clubs, which have been forced to deal with inadequate venues, declining ticket sales and poor on-field performances, as well as the economic slowdown.

Minister for fisheries, Norman Moore has announced new recreational fishing regulations introducing a two month season closure, new bag limitations and changes to license fees.

Shares in oil and gas exploration company Carnarvon Petroleum have jumped more than 10 per cent in trading today after the company reported the discovery of commercial quantities of oil at two of its fields off the coast of Thailand.

The state government has announced that Perth will host a digital earth symposium in 2011 that is expected to attract at least 1,000 guests to the state and will run in tandem with a land information system forum.

Business confidence and business performance in WA improved during the last quarter and is now above the national average despite a particularly challenging February to April trading period, a survey has revealed.

Telstra gets offer it can't refuse; Hard man has telco on the ropes; Small harvest in bumper crop; Banks may lift rates before Reserve; Too soon to claim compo: oil body

The state government has today released new water management guidelines to help streamline approvals for mining projects in the Pilbara.

Low interest rates and a more generous government housing grant have failed to lift the rate of new home building, with housing starts in WA falling by a larger than forecast 18.1 per cent in 2008/09.

Construction to slow after funding slide; Gorgon giant set to power nation into new age; Executives face tougher pay scrutiny; Business raises carbon claim; Hot dollar cools rate expectations

The state's housing market is forecast to grow at a slower rate in 2009/10 than previously projected, as building approvals show slow signs of life, a new report shows.

Australia investors have emerged as one of the most pessimistic compared to other countries, in a new survey of senior fund managers who say the global financial crisis is still not over.

Major resources projects that import capital equipment will have to pass a tougher 'local content' test before they qualify for customs duty concessions on the imported goods.

The state's corruption watchdog has cleared former Labor MP John Bowler of misconduct in relation to disclosing information to lobbyist Julian Grill about Fortescue Metals Group's railway line application.

Engineering construction activity in Western Australia is tipped to slump 20 per cent over the next two years, above that of a national 15 per cent decline, economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel says.