Government

THE state's politicians will not receive a pay rise this year after the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal ruled the base salary will remain at $128,980 a year.

COMPANY executives have called on the government to provide more certainty for public sector innovation funding.

Labor to oppose retail trading change

Local executives joined a WA Business News forum to discuss ways to take innovative products into a competitive global market.

He may have made WA his home, but Tim Atterton still wants England to win the Ashes.

The state government has established a project team from Main Roads and environmental and engineering consulting firm AECOM to manage environmental approvals, engineering design and community engagement processes for the contentious Roe Highway extension.

Following the Varanus Island explosion last year and today's massive Gorgon gas deal announced with China, the state government has introduced legislation to avert future gas shortages and secure WA's future gas supply.

A leading economist believes the record $50 billion Gorgon liquified natural gas deal with China could lead Western Australia into a "symbiotic" relationship with the Asian giant while the Greens reiterated the deal hasn't received environmental approval.

Engineering and construction company, AusGroup has delivered record earnings thanks to it work in the resources sector over the last 12 months, with revenue and profit surging 26 per cent and 52 per cent respectively.

Mineral sands producer Iluka has posted a net losst after tax loss of $55.8 million in the half year to June 30 after cutting production earlier this year and selling its interest in Consolidated Rutile (CRL).

Twiggy's discount no help to China; French, Santos in gas play; Amcor to buy Alcan despite profit dip; NAB grows housing book; Curtin in bid for medical school

Western Australia has signed its biggest-ever resources deal overnight, a $50 billion agreement to export liquid natural gas to China.

The push for extended retail trading hours in Perth is doomed to fail after the Labor opposition decided to oppose the move, joining the Nationals who also oppose change.

Three regional Western Australian companies have led the country in collectively receiving the greatest funding allocation from the first round of the federal government's $35 million Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program (RFPIPP).

Super boom forecast as Gorgon go-ahead looms; Miner good as gold after Varanus payout; Fortescue's $7bn shock deal; ASIC push to abolish commissions; Reform call after Storm collapse

Perth-based property fund manager Aspen Group has raised $10 million from investors in its embattled Diversified Property Fund, leaving the company to raise a further $5 million to meet its minimum loan obligations.

Chevron Australia has been awarded a deepwater exploration permit to conduct initial surveys and then drilling at a potentially vast hydrocarbon basin which it jointly owns with Shell Development.

Japan, the world's second largest economy and WA's second largest trading partner has joined Europe's two biggest economies, Germany and France in recording positive economic growth in the June quarter.

Australia's third largest internet service provider, iiNet, has posted a 28.8 per cent jump in full year profit after lifting subscriber numbers and says it is well placed for the current financial year.

Woodside urged to pick up Pluto pace; Property sector takes a $51bn hit; Banks tighten credit to first-homebuyers; Amcor joins raising rush in $2.4bn Rio package deal; Commodities slump to hit Rio Tinto

Apache Energy has failed in its bid to secure an injunction from the Supreme Court preventing Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore from viewing a report into last year's Varanus Island gas explosion.

The state's politicians will not receive a pay rise this year after the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal ruled the base salary will remain at $128,980 a year.

Doctors warn if more cuts to health services; Labor tips WA deficit blow-out; Telstra's rookie delivers on old script; China is still BHP's best customer; Shell chief breezes in to talk assets

Environment Minister Donna Faragher has today approved the export of lead from Magellan Metals' Wiluna mine through the port of Fremantle.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum has reached its target for clearing the backlog of project approvals during the June quarter.

Western Australian full-time workers are the highest earners in the country compared to other states, pulling in an average annual wage of $70,886.

BHP Billiton, Chevron, Rio Tinto, Woodside Petroleum and the North West Shelf Venture will collectively provide more than $5 million towards the Pilbara's health services as part of a partnership with the government.

The WA opposition has continued its campaign to target the economic credentials of Premier Colin Barnett's government and his Treasurer Troy Buswell by releasing a gloomy review of the state's financial future.

Voting in local council elections will be more transparent and less susceptible to manipulation by the big political parties after the state parliament passed legislation to return to the first-pass-the-post voting system.

Reed Resources has moved to expand its tenement portfolio, signing a $3.2 million option agreement to acquire the Mount Marion lithium project near Kalgoorlie.

BHP warns idle capacity threatens price recovery; Rhodes, Cole names in Great Southern cattle writ; CBA chief warns of a further downturn, despite $4.7bn profit; Confidence hits two-year peak; China softens charges against Hu

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