Government

The federal government's proposed changes to industrial relations laws could cause long-term financial harm to the state's businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA explained to a Senate inquiry today.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has flagged further cuts in government spending as ratings agency Moody's warns the state's AAA credit rating will be at risk should the budget slide into deficit.

WESTERN Australia has experienced a significant increase in the use of solar hot water, with more than one-fifth of homes in WA now fitted with solar hot water systems.

Australia is at a crossroads with regard to its energy policy and faces some tough decisions in coming years.

ENGINEERING graduates face an uncertain future as the number of potential employers and the pool of projects in the development pipeline dry up.

Sue Murphy is leading the way again, this time as chief executive at the Water Corp

FOLLOWING an unprecedented period of growth in recent years, engineers are preparing for challenging times as project developers and major clients wind-back or close their operations.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resources.

Universities are recording stronger enrolment numbers this year as the job market softens.

LOCAL engineering firms were bombarded with calls from underprepared local councils at the end of last year seeking assistance in applying for the federal government's infrastructure handouts.

CLAREMONT-BASED The Bethanie Group has become the state's latest certified community housing provider.

THE announcement this month that Citic Pacific will pay $US585 for 75 petajoules of natural gas is important, not just because it underwrites the Devil Creek project in the Pilbara and a potential new supply of domestic gas, but also because we get to see

THE reduction in the number of engineering-based projects under way or in planning as a result of the downturn has alleviated the skills shortage, but care should be taken not to lose staff from the sector when the pendulum swings again.

The Science and Innovation Council review presents a creative opportunity.

CONSULTING engineers across Perth are calling on state and local governments to urgently improve the approvals process for the development of projects throughout Western Australia, amid soaring costs to business.

PLANS for the first children's advocacy centre to be built in Australia have been stymied by bureaucratic red tape, threatening the centre's March 2010 opening date.

FLEXIBILITY in the workplace has consistently been identified as the most important measure to attract and retain female workers, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's recent Women in the Workforce discussion paper.

BARCLAYS Engineering chief executive Terry Barclay has faced down a number of challenges during his 30-year career in international trade, from knowing the ground rules to liquidity problems and getting paid on time.

Ravensthorpe is still coming to terms with the impact of last week’s closure of its nickel operations, one year after its official opening.

CONSULTING engineers have joined the Western Australian business community in calling on the state government to implement a long-term strategic infrastructure plan.

The WA government has decided against referring its remaining industrial relations powers to the federal government, instead proceeding with a review of the state's workplace laws.

The average number of days for Australian businesses to settle accounts has reached an eight year high with big firms the slowest to pay while Western Australian companies have been the quickest to pay bills, a report has revealed.

Kerry Stokes' private company, WesTrac, says it will not be affected by US company Caterpillar Inc's planned 20,000 job cuts to its global workforce.

Applications to study full-time courses at TAFE colleges in 2009 have jumped by 14 per cent compared with last year.

One month after announcing it will merge with Perth firm Montagu Stockbrokers, Patersons Securities has reached agreement to buy the stockbroking business of listed company Tolhurst Group for some $7 million.

The sharp deterioration in the Australian dollar has ensured the country's goods are more competitive on the international front as exports record the largest annual increase in over 34 years.

As the fallout from the Ravensthorpe mine closure starts to unravel, the state's resources lobby group says mining companies are doing all they can to prevent further job losses.

Perth-based leisure technology firm V3 has been awarded a state government tender to provide online booking technology for Tourism Western Australia's website.

Pressure to develop the state's north is only going to increase.

Residential Property Outlook New home sales in Western Australia have risen 8 per cent in November, a housing industry survey has found.

With most major ports located in the middle of populated areas, the government faces some tough decisions on infrastructure.

OPPONENTS of genetically modified crops have seized on the results of the first independent trials of GM canola as vindication of their stance.