Government

Western Australia's native timber industry has expressed shock at the state government's blanket rejection of requests for financial assistance, predicting job losses and mill closures will result.

Staff numbers at the Western Australian arm of engineering contractor Clough will be cut by around 45 as part of restructure plans to ensure operational effectiveness.

Treasury head says spend now; Suncorp's issue shock as CEO goes; Macquarie profit set to slump; Cost cuts spook PwC partners; Lend Lease slumps on raising

Environment Minister Donna Faragher has indicated she will set more stringent conditions for the proposed desalination plant at Binningup, to ensure protection of the surrounding bushland and marine environment.

Local councils have up to six months to advise the state government of their amalgamation plans and intentions to reduce the number of elected members.

More good news for the state's property sector as new analysis reveals first home buyers in WA receive more in government incentives than any other state or territory, while quarter-on-quarter land sales in Perth jump 29 per cent.

Battle lines drawn on $42bn plan; Fortescue to raise $77m for payouts; BHP slashes spending to combat metals downturn; Crisis picks up speed; GE Capital to axe 400 more jobs as part of revamp

BUILDERS, insulation suppliers and solar hot water providers will be winners from the state and federal government stimulus packages, announced this week.

I REMEMBER a scene from a Monty Python sketch where a father and son were looking out from a second-storey window.

TALK about a baptism of fire.Shortly after taking over the top job from founder, John Young, Great Southern managing director Cameron Rhodes faced the challenge of not only negotiating the company through tough economic times, but also steering it through

US Supreme Court ruling paved the way for financial meltdown.

The downturn in managed investment schemes could hurt horticulture, while the carbon credit market is boosting forestry projects.

The outlook for WA is not as gloomy as some are predicting.

PERTH-BASED education services company Navitas has defied the global economic slowdown by reporting a lift in interim profit to a record level and outlining plans to pursue further international growth.

IF Premier Colin Barnett is looking for places to find new jobs and boost the state's royalty income, he needs to look no further than the gold industry.

Small retailers find service and customer loyalty pay dividends in a downturn.

ASIA offers Western Australian winemakers a market ripe with potential, particularly for top-end produce, according to renowned wine critic James Halliday.

THERE'S not much talk of the global economic downturn or falling commodity prices when you listen to companies with an interest in iron ore mining and infrastructure projects in the Mid West region.

ONE in six BankWest customers and more than 7 per cent of St George customeras plan to vote with their feet and leave the banks as a result of the recent corporate activity, a new poll by Retail Banki

CARBON credits have been a major growth area in the forestry sector, as companies move to exploit the market created by the federal government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, due for introduction in mid 2010.

Proposed IR changes will have a major effect on businesses across the nation

SMALL business has been urged to manage their cash flow more carefully this year as the global economic downturn creates more financial pressure.

THE six not-for-profit organisations that have teamed up to buy the failed ABC Learning centres say childcare should be the responsibility of not-for-profit organisations and not the corporate sector.

EAST Perth-based hospitality contractor Compass Group has called for amendments to the federal government's proposed industrial relations laws to clarify ambiguity over a provision concerning the 'transfer of a business'.

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.

Shareholders in Gindalbie Metals have approved a $162 million share placement to AnSteel, which will boost the Chinese steelmaker's stake to over 36 per cent.

Building approvals in Western Australia rose over 12 per cent during December, bucking the national trend which declined for a sixth consecutive month.

CBA, Westpac mull loan book as Dexia plans exit; Westfield goes shopping for $2.9b; Qantas asks for $500 million; Big punch but doubts still linger; New logo for Woodside to mark focus on LNG

The federal government says today's $42 billion stimulus package will add to gross domestic product growth but the budget will enter into a $22.5 billion deficit this financial year.

One in six BankWest customers and over 7 per cent of St George customers plan to vote with their feet and leave the bank as a result of the recent corporate activity of their bank, a new poll by Retail Banking Review has revealed.

The official cash rate has been cut by an expected 100 basis points to 3.25 per cent following the Reserve Bank of Australia's board meeting today.

The federal government will inject $42 billion into the national economy to help prevent the country from entering into a deep recession.