Government

STAYING close to customers is an important strategy to many of Western Australia's big private businesses.

Four WA ex-banking executives have taken new roles in vastly different fields.

There seems to be a disconnect between the price of oil and petrol's price at the bowser.

The conservative management of WA's private businesses has left them in good shape

Advertising agencies are reviewing aspects of their business as the downturn bites.

Australia has managed to avoid the excesses so prevalent elsewhere.

COMMODITY exports are forecast to fall by 17 per cent in the 2010 financial year but farm export earnings are tipped to rise over the next two years, a report for the nation's commodities forecaster says.

GERHARDT Otto faced quite a culture shock when he emigrated from South Africa to Perth in 2006, experiencing almost immediately the challenges of finding employment.

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA remains concerned that the federal government's proposed industrial relations reforms will have a negative effect on business, despite a Senate inquiry dismissing recommendations for significant changes.

THE state government has established a Ministerial Heavy Vehicle Advisory Panel to provide truck drivers with advice on issues in the road transport industry.

ECONOMISTS have described the central bank's decision to hold the official cash rate this week as a pause to the rate cutting cycle.

BOORAGOON-BASED recruitment firm Total Staffing Solutions has given a rare public insight into the challenges facing small and medium sized businesses trying to secure finance in the current market.

The federal Liberals may feel they've done it tough lately, but things could get a whole lot worse

WESTERN Australia's big private businesses hold surprisingly uniform views on most subjects, and that extends to the federal government's $52 billion in extra spending via two stimulus packages.

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has denied its pre-budget submission to the state government includes a hit list of agencies it wants split or privatised.

Investing in 2009 will be counterintuitive – something that does not happen in the way you would expect it to.

THE possible closure of one of the state's largest integrated pallet manufacturers, Pinetec, could prove to be a boon for the local industry with one player keen to keep jobs in Western Australia.

Mining and the environment have been lifelong passions for prospector Denis O' Meara

A Treasury official will help the state's police department to identify savings in line with the government's 3 per cent efficiency-based savings amid claims the Police Minister is not doing his job properly.

Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia have been named as the top brands in the country, according to a report released today.

Expanded Gorgon cost to hit $50bn, Barnett claims; $34bn drop in key exports tipped; Companies face higher rates - ANZ; Financial gloom buys time for climate fight - Garnaut; Forrest land deal sparks row

One of Western Australia's oldest brokers, Mortgage Force, has agreed to merge with Sydney-headquartered Smartline to create an entity with a loan portfolio worth more than $10 billion.

Premier Colin Barnett continued talking up Western Australia's economy in the face of further bad global news, but also issued a warning that the state had to be treated fairly by the rest of the nation.

The state government has issued a timetable to local councils as part of its merger plans for Western Australia's 139 councils.

Corporate events organisers Gregory Millar and John Webb have been found to have engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct over the promotion of several industry exhibitions by a Federal Court in Perth.

Brookfield Multiplex has been appointed as the managing contractor for stage one of the Fiona Stanley Hospital under an innovative contract by the state government.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official interest rate at 3.25 per cent, bringing a temporary halt to a series of rate cuts by the central bank that started in September last year.

Commodity exports are forecast to fall by 17 per cent in the 2010 financial year but farm export earnings are expected to rise over the next two years, a report for the nation's commodities forecaster says.

West can defy global crisis, says Premier; Contractors ready to roll as port project awaits nod; Four Pillars our shield; Iron ore mountains grow as China stalls; Macquarie sidesteps funds taint

VDM Group has today reported a "disappointing" net profit after tax for the half year of $3.2 million, on the back of revenues of $238.4 million.

The state government is cautious about its financial position despite an increase in mining royalties and a $1.19 billion surplus.

Skywest Airlines has booked a near $3 million half year net loss after accounting for one-off impacts including a $5.7 million cost associated with a major Rio Tinto contract.