Government

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 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.

VENDORS and lessors of commercial buildings could be required by law to disclose the energy efficiency of their buildings under a proposed federal government scheme.

Western Australia's leading consulting engineers have expressed concern over the state government's capital works program, after a number of advanced projects were put on hold.

Earth from above High-profile environmentalist Phillip Toyne is coming to Perth to give a speech at The University of Western Australia Club’s theatre auditorium on Tuesday January 20.

THE struggles being experienced by tourism operators in some parts of Western Australia seem to have missed the north-west, for time being at least, with businesses in Exmouth and Broome positive about the year ahead.

WA’s economic future is critically tied to that of China, and the signs aren’t promising.

THE Goldfields could once again become an accurate descriptor of the region around Kalgoorlie after the returns from the gold mining industry helped the area cope with a recent slump in nickel mining.

IN a recent research report, my colleagues Rachel Ong and Richard Seymour of the Centre for Labour Market Research, and I investigated aspects of the lives of people living on the federal minimum wage.

THE state government says it will cut advertising spending by 15 per cent, after campaign and non-campaign advertising increased $20 million in five years under the previous Labor government.

COUTURIER Angelina Arcaro prides her small business on the exclusivity of its creations.

PHILANTHROPISTS fear proposed legislative changes to guidelines governing prescribed private funds could close down the majority of the charitable foundations within the next 15 years.

LUXURY fashion label Emporio Armani will soon join other high-end retailers at the new Wesley Quarter redevelopment, as the first of the centre’s retailers open their doors.

THE mortgage broking industry is preparing for a major transformation as the credit crisis and slowdown in the real estate market continues to dampen demand.

LUXURY fashion label Emporio Armani will soon join other high-end retailers at the new Wesley Quarter redevelopment, as the first of the centre’s retailers open their doors.

Businesses operators in the South West are expecting a contraction in trade

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.

Earth from above High-profile environmentalist Phillip Toyne is coming to Perth to give a speech at The University of Western Australia Club’s theatre auditorium on Tuesday January 20.

A new survey of Australia's chief executives in the manufacturing, construction and services industries has painted a grim picture for 2009, with sales for all sectors expected to weaken as the country starts to experience a significant slowdown.

The confidence of Australian employers has slumped to a record low as the global financial crisis continues to buffet firms, a new survey says.

The Forest Product Commission has estimated the damage from a fire, which swept through more than 2,500 hectares of pines near Yanchep, at around $100 million to industry and $10 million in stumpage value to the state government.

Hundreds of unionised Alcoa workers in Western Australia have today voted in favour of job security over pay increases in a bid to work with the company in the current economic uncertainty.