Government

A REVIEW of the export market development grant scheme highlights the difficulties exporters in Western Australia face when seeking funds from this primary source of assistance.

INVESTMENT banker Aaron Constantine said he laughed with a colleague when he saw two boats moored out at Marjorie Bay on Rottnest Island last week.

HISTORIC statistics have only limited value in the context of an unprecedented market meltdown, nevertheless there is some comfort in knowing the economic position before the latest chapter in the slowly unfolding crisis.

WITH Sunday trading to be open to all Bunbury general retailers next year, some industry groups hope this will bring Perth metropolitan areas a step closer to more flexible trading hours.

WHAT a difference a year makes.October, the traditional time for market crashes, is also when I make for Rottnest on an annual holiday.

GLOBAL share markets have entered a netherworld that no-one working in the finance industry has ever experienced before, unless they were alive in the 1930s.

KEY industry bodies are gearing up their preparations for proposed compensation claims following the release of the official report into the Varanus gas explosion, handed down last week by Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resources.

WESTERN Australians spend an estimated $300 million on sporting events each year, which has given rise to a dynamic and growing industry.

WESTERN Australia's tourism industry has called on the new state government to fast-track tourism developments in the city and regional areas and help combat the labour shortage.

WITH energy issues firmly fixed on the public agenda after the events in recent months, the time is right for the development of a state energy policy which, at its heart, has a vision for Western Australia's development to 2050 and beyond.

THE business of putting more trees in the ground and keeping them there may soon become one of the more viable options for the forestry sector, with two announcements this week a sign of the times.

Western Australia has been allocated $21 million for research as part of the federal government's $363 million national funding package.

Almost 120,000 extra workers could be made available in Western Australia if more women were encouraged to join the workforce, according to a new report from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

Premier Colin Barnett has named North Head, north of Broome, as his preferred site for a gas processing precinct to serve the Browse Basin gas fields, located off the Kimberley coast.

Perth-based Axiom Properties Ltd has refinanced its Port Geographe residential subdivision project with St George Bank, which will provide a $100 million construction finance solution.

The $10.4bn giveaway; Europe unites in $2.8 trillion shock and awe blitz on cash crisis; Base metals bounce as bailouts inject new hope; Credit crunch crimps broadband plan; Top lender falls into line with rates cut

Phosphate Resources Ltd has had a minister decision banning mining expansion plans on Christmas Island set aside.

Australia's largest building association says measures announced by the federal government to boost the economy will support the housing market and increase activity.

Rudd's New Deal to beat world recession; ASIC sues KPMG over Westpoint audit; Fortescue flags iron ore prices to stay flat in 2009; BankWest buyer is confident over deal; Chinese steel cut worries Aussies

The state government has breathed life back into the First Start Shared Equity Scheme, injecting $70 million after funds ran out last month.

The sale of BankWest to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is not expected to be impacted by the bailout of embattled parent company HBOS plc, which has accepted a $22 billion rescue package from the UK government.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd has appointed former Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd chairman Ian Burston and former Oxiana chief executive Owen Hegarty to its board.

Banks anchored against storm; Resources slump blow to earnings; Rio lawyers threaten striking drivers; Fortescue eyes new port with mining giant's rail; Westoz sells 6.9pc into Cooper bid

The Wilcox discussion paper on the Australian Building and Construction Commission will pave the way for a return back to lawlessness in the building industry, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Michael Keenan said.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy said new investments in the wholesale electricity generation market will be put at risk if Premier Colin Barnett pursues a re-amalgamation of Synergy and Verve Energy.

Federal Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop has been recruited to the board of the West Coast Eagles, the first ever female director for the football club.

The rupture of a 12-inch gas sales pipeline has been found to be the immediate physical cause of the explosion at the Varanus Island gas facility operated by Apache Energy Ltd, which may have committed offences, a new report says.

State Shadow Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan has demanded that the Liberal-National government reveal the "true nature" of the royalties to region scheme.

Pilbara on brink of industrial war; Barnett ponders power synergy; $6bn Western Power upgrade in doubt; States file 'weak' $235bn project wish-list; HBOS loses $1.1bn on BankWest as Commonwealth takes cake

Some good and bad news for home buyers with one research firm saying the property cycle looks to have bottomed out while a survey from another says trading conditions are likely to deteriorate over the next six months.

State opposition leader Eric Ripper says the state runs the risk of higher electricity prices if Premier Colin Barnett pushes ahead with the re-amalgamation of Verve Energy and Synergy.