Government

RBA fuels budget stimulus debate; Unions 'to resist AWAs by stealth'; Myer cashes in on confidence; Chinese offer $3bn for Nufarm; ASIC turns up heat on ASX

Perth companies Vulcan Resources and Universal Resources have agreed to merge through a scheme of arrangement, nearly one month after both explorers flagged a friendly merger.

The release of the new draft miscellaneous award has prompted concern from a state lobby group, which says businesses will suffer higher costs from a widening of the award's scope.

The impact to an environmentally sensitive area within Sinosteel Midwest Corporation's Mid West iron ore project has been deemed minimal, as the state government today upheld the Chinese company's appeal.

The state government has given the go-ahead for the Cape Peron marina project at Rockingham, which will provide much-needed boating pens and create business opportunities.

Barnett vows to slash spending; China stung by tougher FIRB rules; Labor to consider 8pm shop closing; Kontiki duster deflates Karoon; New home sales jump

World oil prices tumbled Thursday as weak US economic data and signs of sluggish energy demand in the United States highlighted fears about a tepid recovery from the global recession.

Western Australia will not be bullied by the federal government into joining the other states in a national occupational health and safety regime, Treasurer Troy Buswell says.

The state opposition says an independent small business commissioner and changes to the commercial tenancy act will better protect the rights of small retail businesses compared to amendments proposed by the Barnett government.

WA's rail network is not ready for the next harvest and this could result in a large increase in the amount of grain being transported by road, the WA Farmers Federation has warned.

Planning Minister John Day has today released the government's planning reform agenda including the integration of environmental and planning approvals and appeals.

The state government has managed to keep its annual budget in the black despite revenue growing by just 0.5 per cent and spending skyrocketing by 13.5 per cent.

Fisheries minister Norman Moore has imposed new restrictions on the rock lobster industry in a bid to halve the annual harvest from its long-term average of 11,000 tonnes to 5,500 tonnes.

Nomad Building Solutions says it has secured work valued at $43.3 million that includes a contract for the federal government's Building the Education Revolution project.

Gas giant takes tax office to court; Investors take $125m Gwalia settlement; ACCC not happy with grain traders; ETS ultimatum a stunt: Turnbull; Recovery could stall: Henry

POLITICIANS were wrong to claim the $43 billion Gorgon LNG project alone would keep all the state's workshops ticking over, leading engineers and contractors have warned.

The redevelopment of Claremont has the potential to change the way local governments look at revitalising tired suburbs.

Giant LNG develop-ments such as the massive Gorgon project are only half the story behind the boom conditions reappearing in WA.

There are benefits and challenges ahead, as Australia's population heads towards an expected 35 million by 2049.

IT is the land where Alan Bond infamously painted the sand dunes green to make the brochures look better.

The amount of local content on big resources projects is a lingering concern for many business people.

PERTH'S commercial office market and the state's building industry are both looking to big gas developments such as Chevron's Gorgon project to be a key driver of activity.

LIKE many apprentices, Mark Stewart dreamed of establishing his own business rather than working for a wage.

FARM groups have welcomed the introduction of a grain trucking scheme that allows transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.

BENCHMARK Projects managing director Chris Carman has built a lengthy career out of establishing landmark developments.

THE proposed $140 billion joint venture of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron operations stands to have a major impact for local contractors.

The Rudd government should concentrate its efforts on planning for Australia's long-term needs.

LAND development has changed substantially in the past decade or so.

AN administrative blunder by copper miner Aditya Birla Minerals has set the scene for another David and Goliath battle over mineral resources in the Pilbara.

Former premier Sir Charles Court's long association with Japan and his role in WA's development are chronicled in a new book.

IT has the potential to become one of the great ironies of Western Australia's unfolding LNG boom - hot rocks powering the Pilbara's accelerating oil and gas-based economy.

IF prominent businessman Michael Chaney's actions are anything to go by then Western Australia's corporate sector is poised to enhance its social responsibility through the new Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia.