Government

The global economic crisis has prompted the competition watchdog to give approval to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's $2.1 billion acquisition of BankWest and St Andrew's Australia from troubled UK-based parent HBOS plc.

The receiver for ABC Learning says 55 childcare centres will close nationally including 12 centres in Western Australia.

Bulk commodities iron ore and coal have largely driven Australia's export earnings to a record $42.6 billion for the September quarter, just before prices took a dive.

RBA signals caution on big rate cuts; Westpac taps market for $2.5bn; Rudd trims emissions target to 10pc; Sino Iron on track, insists Citic Pacific; Macquarie warns profit will fall as deals wither

The University of Western Australia and the Committee for Perth have teamed up to appoint two international experts to lead a project benchmarking the liveability of Perth and its global connectedness.

Despite the increasing rate of job losses around the globe, Australian finance and accounting professionals remain optimistic about job prospects, as found in a 14-country survey by international recruiter Robert Half.

The challenges of late 2008 look set to carry over into the new year with business chiefs anticipating further erosion of profits and sales as credit market conditions, a volatile Australian dollar and inflationary pressures impact prospects for 2009.

Job fears grow, but unions want more; Non-bank lenders hurting; Miners tear into ETS proposal; BHP, Rio face $2bn iron threat; Qantas plays down BA merger

Subiaco-based Chrome Corporation is seeking to have its self-imposed trading halt lifted following an announcement from the company about the sale of its 74 per cent interest in a South African chrome project for $41 million.

Corporate Express Australia, the office supply and services company, has won this year's Sustainable Company of the Year Award.

Economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel says the Australian economy will not fall into recession, despite the dismal growth in real GDP in the September quarter.

Tax board targets GST red tape; Oil price plunge alarms OPEC; Iron contracts in jeopardy; Spanish airline a barrier to Qantas merger; Garnaut warns - don't go alone

Como-based Aquila Resources says it is seeking potential co-developers for a port at Anketell Point, which has been selected as the preferred port site for the $4.1 billion West Pilbara iron ore project.

Gas reserve 'puts off explorers'; Call for Canberra to steer energy projects; Banks will take control of B&B; Senate resists Rudd's $26bn building plan; Rio dives 11pc on growing debt fears

Business confidence in Western Australia has hit record lows as the global economic uncertainty starts to impact owners, two separate surveys have found.

Almost one third of Western Australians will buy a property before 2009 is over despite the current financial conditions prompting many people to revisit their financial plans, a survey has found.

Perth-based Pacific Energy will pay $77 million in cash and scrip to acquire Kalgoorlie Power Systems, which owns a suite of power stations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Western Australia has suffered the nation's biggest drop in confidence among small and medium enterprises, according to the Sensis Business Index for November.

Engineering and infrastructure firm GRD will be hit by a significant one-off charge after agreeing to sell its loss-making Australian waste treatment facility in a bid to boost its financial position.

Recession looms as growth drops close to zero; Listed WA companies drop $17bn; Hostile opposition to Qantas changes; Rudd plots bankroll plan; Varanus gas explosion rocks national accounts

THE ASX 200 Index is currently trading with a trailing price to earnings ratio of less than eight times historical earnings, while consensus estimates for the 2009 financial year earnings place the index on a forward multiple of 10.

THE $174 million infrastructure upgrade at the Australian Marine Complex has passed a major milestone with the arrival of a $60 million floating dock at the Henderson shipbuilding precinct on schedule.

WESFARMERS has announced that finance director Gene Tilbrook will retire in the first half of 2009 after 23 years of service with the company.

THE chief executives of many of Western Australia's largest companies enjoyed substantial increases in guaranteed base income during the past financial year.

Australasian Property Investments is going ahead with the development of Scarborough's first high-rise development after an amendment removing height restrictions received ministerial approval, while plans for high-rise apartments are underway in Cotteslo

HOW much is too much when it comes to executive remuneration, especially bonuses and termination payments? This is the vexing question that's challenging the investment community more than ever before, as the market slide makes it a widespread issue rathe

WESTERN Australia's food producers have a long-held reputation for disease-free quality that has ensured ongoing demand from overseas.

Public private partnerships aren’t as prevalent in Western Australia as in other states.

ENVIRONMENTAL performance bonds may be emerging as the latest source of angst for junior explorers and local miners, as tougher banking regimes and rising costs create a new hurdle to business in the minerals sector.

THE controversy over the federal government's proposed industrial relations reforms made me think back to the mid 1980s when people like Charles Copeman led a bruising battle to free up Australian workplaces.

IT was quite fitting that the chairman of state tourism body Australia's North West, Ian Laurance, was awarded the industry's top individual honour last week, an award named after one of his earliest mentors.

WESFARMERS has announced that finance director Gene Tilbrook will retire in the first half of 2009 after 23 years of service with the company.