Government

Former Woodside Petroleum executive Erica Smyth will take over the chairmanship of uranium developer Toro Energy, after the resignation of founding chairman Dr Ian Gould.

Westpac has pipped BankWest as the bank having the most satisfied customers in Western Australia, a survey by financial ratings service Canstar Cannex has found.

Wall St villains now saviours; Iron ore miners warned of slow China recovery; Walsh offers little comfort to juniors on access to railway; States split on federal debt deal; Commodities rally in big price rout

The state education department says it will not meet its 3 per cent budget cuts amid an influx of new students, teacher shortages and a forecast deficit of $50 million.

The state opposition has urged the government to get its priorities right after Premier Colin Barnett admitted to axing the $1.3 billion Pilbara power project in favour of the $4 billion Oakajee port and rail development.

The state government expects to save some $1 million each year by merging the State Supply Commission into the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Prime position for Seven; Straits' Thai deal to finance metal plays; Failed port bidder floats legal action; ABC collapse cost 700 their job; China delay corners OZ, debt looms

The state opposition has called the plan for local council amalgamations a "complete farce" after Premier Colin Barnett said the Peppermint Grove council should be exempt.

It's the recession we will have - PM; Miners seek direct line to Barnett; Rudd to lobby for Beijing; Qantas chief to slash jobs in executive shake-up; AIG anger to hit credit plan

Business confidence in Western Australia has dropped to a record low with almost 75 per cent of firms believing economic conditions will deteriorate further in the next year, a new survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has found.

Carnegie Corporation has received approval from the Victorian government to develop three pilot wave energy projects on the state's coast.

Chevron will become the first user of a $35 million service and supply base at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson following state approval for the project.

One of the country's largest employer groups says the Senate's change to the small business threshold to 20 is both reasonable and necessary and should be accepted by the government.

Budget cuts not possible - Buswell; Premier to sign-off on port plans for WA; IMF warns slowdown to worsen; BHP nets $4.8bn in US bond market; Telstra blocking rivals - ACCC

A state government report has proposed two options for upgrading Barbagallo Raceway, which Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron says offers a better strategic direction for WA motorsport than a street circuit.

The state government is expected to formally approve the $3.5 billion Oakajee port and rail project that is vital to mining developments in the Mid West region.

The state's meatworkers union has recommended Harvey Beef employees reject the same collective agreement that is again being offered by the company today.

$1.6bn hole in budget as alcopops tax fails; World Bank looks to China to counter global gloom; ASIC targets banks over $1bn Storm collapse; Directors told to stand up to executives in pay talks; Nation building funding crisis

THE state's caravan industry is preparing for its biggest trade event of the year, with signs the changing demographics of the caravan and camper trailer market could prop up sales.

State and federal governments can work together on labour market policy.

TORTUOUS state government efforts to find a site for an LNG processing hub on the Kimberley coast may count for nought, at least for the next decade.

A restaurant that has been around in one form or another for the best part of six decades must be doing something right. Russell Quinn discovers some secrets of The Romany Restaurant’s success.

PEAK industry figures have cautiously welcomed state and federal government initiatives to soften the impact of the economic downturn on business, including the announcement of cuts to skilled migration.

TWO real estate agency acquisitions in recent weeks could be a sign of increased activity in the sector, as business looks to rationalise their operations and gain economies of scale during the down cycle.

SMALL to medium-sized enterprises are frustrated that interest rates for business loans remain higher than loans in the residential sector.

SUBIACO-BASED Graynic Metals is looking to Latin America to help establish itself as a developing nickel explorer and developer.

FRUSTRATION over the prohibitive barriers to tourist accommodation development has intensified, after news the first development site released under the Landbank program, aimed at fast-tracking accommodation developments, had stalled.

Colin Barnett has a fight on his hands if he wants tax distribution restructured.

ECONOMIST Ian Satchwell doesn't mince his words when describing the likely impact of big LNG projects like Gorgon.

Marylyn New takes an unconventional approach to decision making, but it works.

The Gorgon gas project set to proceed this year will be followed by more mega projects off the WA coast, presenting exciting opportunities.

BRIEFCASE notes that many oil and gas stocks, such as Pan Pacific, Carnarvon Petroleum, Cooper Energy and AED Oil, show little if any market value for their ongoing operating cash flow from production activities, while some trade at or below their cash as