Government

It is not that Perth dealmakers are joining the dole queues, they have just had a little more time on their hands recently.

A clearer picture of what the Rudd government hopes to achieve is starting to emerge.

THE Minerals Council of Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association have seized on a review of key federal government environmental legislation to step up their campaign for reforms to the approvals process.

There’s something missing in the ‘debate’ over retail trading hours.

PREMIER Colin Barnett has announced changes to the planning process that will establish the Department of Planning as the lead agency in major redevelopment projects, including the Perth waterfront and Northbridge Link.

A MAJOR barrier to expansion in Perth's retail sector has been lifted with the release of the state government's draft 'activity centres policy', according to the peak industry council.

THE drawn-out debate surrounding Western Australia's ageing grain transport rail network may have finally reached a workable solution.

The federal government has backed down on its proposed crackdown on employee share schemes, tripling the income cap on the tax break to $180,000.

Significant red tape surrounding regulation of the Western Australian building industry has been removed, with the creation of a Building Commission division of the Department of Commerce.

The Rudd government has sneaked in an eleventh hour change to its unfair dismissal code which will force small busineses to pay 'go-away' money to aggrieved employees, the federal opposition claims.

Long-serving creative director at Linc Integrated, Steve Brown is considering establishing a rival agency in Western Australia following news that he, along with three other staff members, have been retrenched from the West Perth-based advertising outfit.

Agribusiness companies TFS Corporation and Elders have reported a fall in managed investment scheme sales for the 2008-09 financial year but said they were pleased with the result in light of difficult industry conditions.

New workplace laws come into effect today, a move the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA says will add to the cost of doing business and discourage job creation.

Union push for 6pc wage rise; Mid-West broadband rollout fast-tracked; Rio plays hard ball at ore talks; Suitors like the look of Lady Annie; Raisings and Rio give deal makers reason to celebrate

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien says securing regular passenger air services for the state is more important than wholesale deregulation as negotiations continue with existing regional airlines over new long-term contracts.

Work on the near $1 billion Southern Seawater desalination plant near Binningup will start in three weeks after the state government today signed contracts with the Spanish-led consortium building the project.

The Minerals Council of Australia has called for a more efficient and effective project approvals process following the release of an interim report into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Advertising agency 303 has been brought on board by The Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) for next year after incumbent agency, Block Branding decided to resign the account two weeks ago.

Stimulus a short-term hit: bank; ASX Seeks to cut small investors into bonds boom; Unions gear up to exploit IR changes; Iron men's bluff threatens deadlock; Australia to feel pain as China curbs its imports

An accounting firm has warned Perth businesses that shedding staff to cut costs may be doing more harm than good, with strong leadership the key to surviving the downturn.

The state government will contribute $3 million towards a new science building at the University of WA's Albany Campus, with half of the funds to come from the royalties for regions program.

ASIC warns directors on valuations, solvency; Companies face 20pc profit cut; BHP benefits as Rio robots race to 'mine of the future'; West shapes as key to Rudd's second-term hopes; Hotels in rush to sign up workers.

Gold explorers have made up half of the final successful applicants for the first round of the state government's new co-funded industry drilling program.

The State Administrative Tribunal has highlighted deep-seated problems in the state's planning process in a ruling on the University of Western Australia's contentious Shenton Park development proposal.

The state government has accepted Alinta's proposal to increase the cap for gas tariffs by 23 per cent, as the gas retailer seeks to recover some of its costs from the impact of the Varanus Island gas explosion.

Ports price-fix claim sinks; Henry talks down rosier IMF report; Oil industry snubs WA regime; Gas hub hangs on benefits deal, says KLC; Nats boss puts cash into his shires.

Skywest announced today it has accepted an offer from the state government to extend its coastal network licence by a further 12 months, while they continue negotiations over a new long-term contract.

WestNet Rail has resumed operations on four regional rail lines after striking an agreement with the Barnett government to assess the long-term future of the state's run-down grain rail network.

West Australian Newspapers Holdings (WAN) expects to take a near $14 million hit after a higher than expected number of voluntary redundancies at its newspapers.

The Geraldton Port is responsible for facilitating significant levels of trade for the state, conservatively estimated to be worth $2.3 billion a year which is tipped to grow up to 20 per cent.

A survey has revealed water demand in the Pilbara region to more than double in the next 20 years, highlighting the need for sustainable water management, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA says.

OECD warns on fragile economy; Recession hammers states; Chinese ore find may affect exports; Gorgon given gas green light; FerrAus joins junior miner merger hunt.