Government

South Perth-based Advanced Ocular Systems will transform into a scaffolding business after it agreed to merge with International Formwork & Scaffolding, valued at $22.5 million.

New motor vehicles sales in Western Australia have plummeted 21 per cent in November compared to the previous corresponding period, according to latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Great Southern has welcomed a Federal Court decision allowing the appeal in respect of the industry's test case on whether participants in non forestry managed investment schemes should be entitled to claim deductions in respect of carrying on a business

Perth-based office equipment financing firm ThinkSmart will put its United States ambitions on hold as it forecasts a 32 per cent increase in earnings.

CITIC Pacific Mining has been given the green light to submit proposals for a 70 million tonne operation for its Sino iron ore project in the Pilbara following the passing of amendments to its state agreement act.

The federal government's infrastructure advisory council has recommended all five Western Australian projects for the $12.5 billion Building Australia Fund in its preliminary priority list released today.

Some financial relief for mining companies with projects in Western Australia with the state government freezing rate rises for environmental bonds.

Perth’s design professionals have appealed directly to the state government not to pull the funding rug from under it, as some projects are halted amid rumours of billions of dollars being slashed from the capital works program.

More than half of Australia's small business owners believe the country will dip into recession in the next two years, a survey has revealed.

The state government has budgeted $2.4 billion for the Royalties for Regions scheme as it forecasts a net debt of nearly $17 billion in 2010/11, according to the mid-year economic review.

AN already strained rock lobster industry took another hit late this year as new Fisheries Minister Norman Moore introduced strict limitations to an already tightly controlled field.

I WAS pleasantly surprised to see a job vacancy advertised in the window of a restaurant last week.

WITH mining activity in the Pilbara forecast to double over the next ten years, demand for water in West Pilbara could outstrip long-term supply within the next two to six years.

WE'VE gone beyond the old boom-bust cycle." How many times did we hear that comment over the past year or two? "We're in a new paradigm."

WESTERN Australia is one of the worst-performing states in the take-up of renewable energy, with just more than 8,000 customers signed up to an accredited GreenPower product in 2007.

AUDITOR General Colin Murphy has called on the WA Department of Health to improve the way it buys services from non-government and not-for-profit organisations, following an audit of the department's purchasing practices.

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

THE number of housing finance commitments in Western Australia rose 5 per cent for the month of October, seasonally adjusted, compared to the previous month, but remains almost 20 per cent down on the

THE All Ordinaries is at levels approaching 3,500 and Colin Barnett is premier of Western Australia.

I THINK it was Keith Suter who compared the global financial crisis to a 'big weekend' - too much to drink on Saturday, hangover on Sunday, cleansed and ready for work on Monday, the social commentator told a recent Technology and Industry Advisory Counci

THE state government is looking to add a new layer of planning expertise to sit above local government as part of its bid to streamline approvals in the land development sector.

What does a typical day at work involve? I check e-mails and answer those that need immediate action, then check appropriate articles in scientific journals.

LAST year, in a deal which was value destroying for the shareholders of base metal miner Oxiana Limited, that company merged with Zinifex Ltd to become Oz Minerals.

FAMILY owned small business Casa Dairy Products has won the best retail product category at the inaugural Westpac Food and Beverage Industry Awards, organised by the Food Industry Association of WA.

The state opposition is calling on the government to release the royalties for regions formula after some of the needier regions, such as Halls Creek, were allocated less money.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia had terminated a share placement agreement with Merrill Lynch following confusion over its $2 billion capital raising launched last night.

The state government will ask the private sector to submit proposals for the expansion of Exmouth Boat Habour, which is increasingly catering for super-yachts and ideally placed to service the oil and gas industry.

The Australian sharemarket extended the morning's positive gains at noon, buoyed by gains in the materials sector.

Banks agree to extend Centro's $5bn debt; CBA seeks $2bn in late dash for cash; Industry revolt on green plan; Telstra hit again; Burrup counts the cost as gas supply comes back on stream

US stocks soared on Tuesday as investors cheered the Federal Reserve decision to cut its key rate to near zero and its pledge of more steps to revive economic activity.

The Department of Treasury and Finance is set to take on more responsibilities as the Department of Housing and Works joins the list of government agencies to be split.

The state government will inject an extra $400 million over the next four years into the royalties for regions scheme as the policy that tipped Premier Colin Barnett into power is officially launched today.