Government

The inaugural meeting of the Economic Audit Committee, the group tasked with examining the operational and financial performance of the Western Australian public sector, has taken place today launching the four-month review.

The Western Australian government has set aside almost $6 million in funding for major regional projects.

Uranium exploration companies, Uranex NL and Energy and Minerals Australia have joined the collective voice of uranium mining groups, politicians and business lobby groups in applauding the Western Australian government's decision to lift the ban on urani

Mac's $15bn global fire sale; Coal, ore exports to drop by $30bn; Reynolds wins construction union vote; Wealth slump fuels case for more rate cuts; Citi, ABN the latest to slash finance jobs

Former Canberra bureaucrat Peter Conran has been formally appointed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, a key policy adviser role in the Barnett government.

Anchor Foods has received the overall prize at the inaugural Westpac Food and Beverage Industry Awards held last week.

Mineral Resources has forecast its profits in the FY2009 could potentially fall by 32 per cent following this financial year's profit growth of 133 per cent.

Forestry Minister Terry Redman has launched a plan for the oil mallee industry to capitalise on opportunities presented by the future carbon pollution reduction scheme.

Western Australia's uranium players have jumped up in trading today after the state government yesterday lifted a ban on uranium mining, a move strongly backed by WA business lobby groups.

The Australian dollar was lower at noon, after losing about 0.5 US cents following the release of the Reserve Bank of Australia's November board meeting minutes.

The nation's nuclear science chief says lifting the ban on new uranium mines in Western Australia will prove a positive step for the cause of nuclear energy, although the federal government will ensure any moves are closely regulated.

Resource state lifts its ban on uranium mines; Lion Nathan's $8bn bid fails to impress Coca-Cola; BHP under fire as market tips deeper ore price cuts; Japan recession hits markets; Labor's $2bn bid to save car yards

Five leading WA engineers and industry members have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

The best of Western Australia's regional small businesses were applauded for their service and support to the community at the 2008 GWN Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards held last week.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has announced the formation of a 12-member industry working group, chaired by former Resources Minister Peter Jones, to advise on ways to improve the state's exploration and development approvals process.

Iluka Resources has received government approval for its Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands project in South Australia.

Retail sales in the September quarter were virtually flat, signalling that more interest rate cuts are on the way amid a decline in consumer confidence, economists say.

G20 backs new growth push; Windfall will go to WA and Victoria; BHP faces ore export plunge; Collapse of ABC to fuel legal overhaul; Ban all native forest logging - Conservation Council

Today marks the third birthday of the Daily Business Alerts service, which broke new ground in November 2005 when it started providing Western Australia's business community with breaking daily news in what was then the early stages of a long bull run.

Privately owned miner Consolidated Minerals has been hit by plunging commodity prices, advising staff this week that it plans to close two of its Western Australian mines and cut employment of staff and contractors by 180 positions.

The state government has announced it will lift the moratorium on the commercial production of genetically modified cotton in the Ord River irrigation area, boosting the prospects for a major expansion of the region.

Superannuation Minister Nick Sherry has released a two-part discussion paper on the implementation of the government's superannuation clearing house measure and possible initiatives to reduce the number of lost super accounts.

ETS risks loss of Sunrise to Timor, warns Voelte; CBA faces $2bn debt threat; Jobs go in Westpac merger; States revolt over carbon plan; Shares dive as US shakes up financial bail-out

The results of a broad review into the integrity of the temporary skilled migration program, known as the Deegan Report, has been released by Immigration Minister, Senator Chris Evans.

Two of the biggest names in Western Australia's building industry have shared the honours in receiving the top award from the MBA.

Legislation imposing permanent restrictions on short selling needs to pass parliament before it rises for the long Christmas break next month, Corporate Governance Minister Nick Sherry says.

State Energy Minister Peter Collier has ruled out purchasing the Western Australian assets of troubled utility investor Babcock and Brown Power, namely those in the Alinta group that the ailing investment banking group bought two years ago.

Newspaper publisher and multi-media owner Fairfax Media sees tough trading conditions for some time but says it is better prepared than ever to take advantage when recovery occurs.

Petrol price cut demand snubbed; Banks start to wield job axe; WA Opes Prime case could be waste of time, bank claims; ABC plea for new bank lifeline; Struggling Rick Hart owner looks at all options

A top Brazilian official estimates $US400 billion ($608.27 billion) will be needed in the next decade to develop massive offshore oil finds.

TAPPING into the unemployed local working age population is an option being explored by Western Australian businesses to ease the skills shortage.

THE average debt per person in Australia is now about $28,000.That's $28,000 for each of the almost 20 million people we have in our great nation.