Government

While the federal government's decision to invest in significant WA infrastructure projects has been welcomed, a business lobby group says the state's importance to the nation's economy has been undersold.

Small business big winner with bonus tax deductions; $8.5bn for infrastructure puts spotlight on ports; Housing approvals boost recovery hopes; Swan banks on China rebound; Storm over vote rule on ticks

If you want to see a balancing act, get involved in infrastructure in the Mid West. That is where billions of dollars of investment - the most important we are told for the next 50 years - relies on numerous stakeholders coming together.

A further $10 million will be added to the budgeted capital cost of Iluka Resources' $209 million Murray Basin Stage 2 project after unexpected plant delays push back the start up date.

Get ready for $58bn deficit and million jobless; Regional fund gets a haircut; Stockpile hinders Magellan's reopening; Conroy plan to split up Telstra; Woodside faces suit from pearl farmers

The state government will invest more than $260 million in the Kwinana power station as Verve Energy continues talks with a potential joint venture partner over the restart of the Muja AB station near Collie.

West Perth-based Galaxy Resources has selected a site in China for its proposed lithium carbonate plant that will process ore from its $68 million Mt Cattlin project near Ravensthorpe.

Macmahon Holdings has secured contracts for three major government water infrastructure projects on the east coast valued at $120 million.

Budget sets up election battleground; Anti-China stance is hurting nations - Jones; WA dashes hopes of quick revival; Trade insurers run for cover; Telstra fence-mending drive

Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust says it has received strong institutional backing for its capital raising, which will now raise a total of $150 million.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has approved Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation's (Ansteel) $162 million acquisition of an additional stake in Gindalbie Metals.

Encouraging economic data won't stop the hard choices made in Tuesday's federal budget, Treasurer Wayne Swan has warned.

Swan slashes private health rebate; Razor gang does the trick in WA; Forrest’s lawyer presents evidence of binding deals; The worst is over – Murdoch; Telstra’s new face for a new era

East Perth-based Fleetwood Corporation is vying for contracts with some of the state's major resource projects, submitting tenders for the Gorgon gas project and Gindalbie Metals' iron ore joint venture.

The implementation of an exploration incentive scheme for the resources sector could create over 4,000 new jobs and add $114 million to gross domestic product, a report has found.

Elders Rural Bank is set to change its name as Elders, formerly Futuris, sells 10 per cent of its stake to Bendigo and Adelaide Bank for $34 million.

The drop in Western Australia's jobless rate is not cause for celebration just yet with Premier Colin Barnett saying the state is not out of the woods while economists are treating it as a "rogue" number.

WA to surprise with surplus; Retail sales, exports lift recovery hopes; Kelly cautious on business lending; BHP waits on contracts, bets on new price system; Crackdown on margin lenders

THE Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation has found a recession-proof way to raise funds in an increasingly difficult economic environment - lottery.

GLOBAL insurance broker Aon has lost a significant number of its senior management in recent times with some employees jumping ship to join the ranks of key competitors in the insurance broking arena.

MORE than two-thirds of Perth's CBD office stock will be below the federal government's new increased energy efficiency requirements, expected to be introduced in two years.

AS Western Australian wineries deal with the downturn, there is opportunity for operators to take stock of their business, focus on the areas that need attention and enhance their brand, their bottom line and their chances of survival.

The tax burden on working Australian families keeps mounting.

Environmental issues in the Mid West could be overcome with a more planned approach.

Kevin Rudd’s backflip highlights the divide on the emissions trading scheme.

A new tell-all book on failed fuel pill company Firepower shows strong evidence of pre-meditation.

INVESTORS in listed equities are now asking how far the current rally on global equity markets can go and whether it is safe to entrust savings into those markets.

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

Despite the tough times, there are some positive signs emerging from the WA wine industry.

The temporary feel of the state’s north makes it less inviting than it could be for potential residents.

REGIONAL Business Enterprise Centres will share in a $96,000 windfall after the state government's Small Business Development Corporation decided last week to pull funding from the Belmont BEC.

Current economic conditions have not dampened employees' expectations of a higher income, with 78 per cent anticipating a pay rise and 39 per cent budgeting for a bonus in the coming year, a survey has found.