Government

I WAS pleasantly surprised to see a job vacancy advertised in the window of a restaurant last week.

WITH mining activity in the Pilbara forecast to double over the next ten years, demand for water in West Pilbara could outstrip long-term supply within the next two to six years.

WE'VE gone beyond the old boom-bust cycle." How many times did we hear that comment over the past year or two? "We're in a new paradigm."

WESTERN Australia is one of the worst-performing states in the take-up of renewable energy, with just more than 8,000 customers signed up to an accredited GreenPower product in 2007.

AUDITOR General Colin Murphy has called on the WA Department of Health to improve the way it buys services from non-government and not-for-profit organisations, following an audit of the department's purchasing practices.

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.

The state opposition is calling on the government to release the royalties for regions formula after some of the needier regions, such as Halls Creek, were allocated less money.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia had terminated a share placement agreement with Merrill Lynch following confusion over its $2 billion capital raising launched last night.

The state government will ask the private sector to submit proposals for the expansion of Exmouth Boat Habour, which is increasingly catering for super-yachts and ideally placed to service the oil and gas industry.

The Australian sharemarket extended the morning's positive gains at noon, buoyed by gains in the materials sector.

US stocks soared on Tuesday as investors cheered the Federal Reserve decision to cut its key rate to near zero and its pledge of more steps to revive economic activity.

Banks agree to extend Centro's $5bn debt; CBA seeks $2bn in late dash for cash; Industry revolt on green plan; Telstra hit again; Burrup counts the cost as gas supply comes back on stream

The Department of Treasury and Finance is set to take on more responsibilities as the Department of Housing and Works joins the list of government agencies to be split.

The state government will inject an extra $400 million over the next four years into the royalties for regions scheme as the policy that tipped Premier Colin Barnett into power is officially launched today.

Western Australian borrowers are going back to basics when choosing a loan to finance property, with basic variable loans surging 2 percentage points to 36 per cent and variable loans representing 80 per cent of all loan approvals.

Western Australian dwelling commencements has slumped 20 per cent in the September quarter, nearly double that of the Australian trend.

Gas giants win millions in carbon scheme compo; Telstra barred from broadband; Investors on edge as Centro talks drag on; Mine exports slashed by $30bn; Property slump is building

The federal government's white paper on emissions targets has received mixed responses from lobby groups and companies across the country, while one of the loudest critics of the scheme keeps relatively quiet.

West Perth-based Red Hill Iron says it will review its legal options over its participation rights to share in port and rail infrastructure of the West Pilbara iron ore project, spearheaded by Aquila Resources.

Western Australia's economy is expected to slow by almost 40 per cent in 2008/09 and nearly 50 per cent the following financial year as the fallout from the global financial crisis impacts the state and demand for resources commodities wanes.

Mining and market groups have called the federal government to fast track the implementation of its promised investment incentive scheme that is expected to encourage mineral exploration.

The state government has confirmed that the University of Western Australia will be the headquarters of a new $20 million radio astronomy research centre that is designed to help WA win the $2.5 billion Square Kilometre Array project.

The weaker Australian dollar is expected to provide a buffer for Australia's commodity export earnings, which is forecast to drop by over 10 per cent for the 2009 financial year.

Manganese miner OM Holdings has revealed it has suspended shipments at a loss of over $12 million in response to weaker market conditions, which has also prompted a 30 per cent cut to annual production next year.

Premier takes on Mid West port push; Barnett says power merger has merit; $1.4bn to soften pain of carbon trading scheme; Arabs in multi-billion plan to buy WA farms; Up in smoke - share funds set for worst year on record

Premier Colin Barnett says he is "thrilled" with a federal government infrastructure package, which includes $195 million for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme but has very limited contributions for other projects in Western Australia.

Macmahon Holdings has been selected by the New South Wales government as the preferred proponent for the construction of a transport interchange.

Western Australia has received little in the federal government's $4.7 billion nation building package designed to help combat the affects of the global financial crisis, receiving a total of $318 million.

Sinosteel losses shut Rio mine; Investors hail Rio's cost cuts, asset sales; Christmas tax break for small businesses; No relief in sight as China dips; Shire planner reject Smiths Beach project

A social housing taskforce is to be established to review the acute shortage of public housing in Western Australia and to come up with innovative strategies for addressing the problem.

Subiaco-based Carbon Conscious has been awarded approved abatement provider status under the federal government's carbon pollution reduction scheme.

Shares in West Perth-based Bass Metals have jumped as high as 40 per cent today after it reached agreement to buy the Hellyer processing plant from Intec for $4 million.