Government

A LOT has changed in the past year,the skilled labour shortage has all but gone and unemployment is at 5.2 per cent.

HOW do a journalist and a photographer from Perth end up chatting about fast cars and a balanced diet with a leading racing driver in the state's remote outback? The answer to that lies in the modern mine site and just how far companies are prepared to go

THE drying climate and a growing population has resulted in Western Australia budgeting to spend an average of about $1 billion per year for the next five years on major water supply capital projects.

FRANCHISE owner Steve Waddingham fears he could lose his Muzz Buzz drive-through coffee shop on High Street in East Fremantle after plans to extend the road would require the state government to acquire the small business.

ALMOST nine months after the Varanus Island incident, which cut the state's gas supply by a third and cost Western Australian businesses almost $2.

Tangible, genuine action is needed to engage and motivate staff so the best results are achieved for all parties.

WESTERN Australia's leading business groups agree that the state requires a solid infrastructure strategy in order to correctly prioritise the state's key projects.

Ninniku Jip offers Asian fusion the whole family can enjoy amid the thriving strip in East Victoria Park, as Jashuan Dias discovered.

Shadow Treasurer Ben Wyatt has today expressed concerns that the abolition of the State Supply Commission will have an adverse effect on small businesses.

Peak gas industry groups have urged government backing for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry to achieve its economic and environmental potential.

The WA Local Government Association has urged its members to press ahead with reform plans, after the state government said it would not legislate to force mergers of local councils.

Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr has officially launched a new centre to give Western Australia's manufacturing companies practical help in improving day to day business.

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

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

FOUR women working on the same commercial building project in the city have joined forces to launch Western Australia's first association dedicated to women working in construction.