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.

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

TWO of Perth's mid-sized law firms are heading in different directions, with Hammond Worthington Lawyers planning to split up after 17 years and Christensen Vaughan joining national firm Gadens Lawyers.

Politicians seem well-placed to take up lucrative careers as lobbyists after they leave parliament.

THE state's caravan industry is preparing for its biggest trade event of the year, with signs the changing demographics of the caravan and camper trailer market could prop up sales.

State and federal governments can work together on labour market policy.

TORTUOUS state government efforts to find a site for an LNG processing hub on the Kimberley coast may count for nought, at least for the next decade.

A restaurant that has been around in one form or another for the best part of six decades must be doing something right. Russell Quinn discovers some secrets of The Romany Restaurant’s success.

PEAK industry figures have cautiously welcomed state and federal government initiatives to soften the impact of the economic downturn on business, including the announcement of cuts to skilled migration.

TWO real estate agency acquisitions in recent weeks could be a sign of increased activity in the sector, as business looks to rationalise their operations and gain economies of scale during the down cycle.

SMALL to medium-sized enterprises are frustrated that interest rates for business loans remain higher than loans in the residential sector.

SUBIACO-BASED Graynic Metals is looking to Latin America to help establish itself as a developing nickel explorer and developer.

FRUSTRATION over the prohibitive barriers to tourist accommodation development has intensified, after news the first development site released under the Landbank program, aimed at fast-tracking accommodation developments, had stalled.

Colin Barnett has a fight on his hands if he wants tax distribution restructured.

ECONOMIST Ian Satchwell doesn't mince his words when describing the likely impact of big LNG projects like Gorgon.

Marylyn New takes an unconventional approach to decision making, but it works.

The Gorgon gas project set to proceed this year will be followed by more mega projects off the WA coast, presenting exciting opportunities.

A national small business lobby group is urging the state government to ignore calls to privatise or amalgamate the Small Business Development Corporation.

The Rudd government will introduce new laws to curb excessive termination payments for executives, amid community concern about high "golden handshakes" given to departing company heads.

Credit squeeze – WA seeks federal help to raise $1.3bn; Rio slashed $277m off value of Kwinana HIsmelt project; Euroz client was unaware of Opes danger, court told; Mortgage freeze for the jobless; Axa in $660m capital raising

The Perth director of global engineering company Connell Wagner hopes its merger with two South African companies will boost the chances of winning work on major projects.

Territory Resources has taken a sizeable $38 million hit to its half-year earnings with the iron ore miner reporting an interim net loss of $33.3 million.

Asciano sell-off plan as debts bite deeper; Big Rio holder damns sell-out; Brains behind new Macquarie model; Miner puts 5000 jobs on the line; China spree puts heat on foreign investment rules

Western Australians are most likely to be concerned about the state of the economy than other states or territories, according to the Sensis Consumer Report released today.

Wesfarmers' coal division, Premier Coal, has bought a further 30 per cent interest in Blackham Resources' tenements that surround the existing Scadden Energy joint venture near Esperance.

Perth firm Christensen Vaughan will merge with the Perth operations of national legal firm Gadens Lawyers to form an expanded commercial legal practice in Western Australia.