Government

New WESTERN Australian Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has had to deal with a heated lobster fishing industry after new plans to restrict the commercial and recreational catch of western rock lobster

PERTH is attracting more large-scale commercial bulky goods complexes, despite the sector experiencing a lull on the back of the credit crisis and global economic downturn, according to real estate agents.

THE Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the official cash rate by 75 basis points to 5.25 per cent, its lowest level since March 2005.

THE development of so-called "main street" or strip shopping centres around the city has created another viable retail category outside of the traditional suburban and CBD shopping centres.

BUSINESSES in Western Australia spend proportionately more on research and development than their counterparts in any other state, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found.

Despite the global downturn, the retail market is confident the significant amount of retail space under construction will be absorbed.

AN Osborne Park-based mining services company has won the top prize at Western Australia's Industry and Export Awards.

One year after Wesfarmers secured Australia's largest takeover, the investment market is unsure of the company's prospects.

THE state government plans to release a draft revision of a controversial policy which caps shopping centre growth, which has been described as out of touch with residential expansion in new growth areas, early next year.

CHURCHLANDS gourmet food store The Herdsman has shelved a $3.7 million expansion plan in Claremont because of the current economic crisis.

SOME of the largest publicly-listed retailers in Western Australia have been feeling the pinch during the recent economic turbulence, but preparations made early to deal with the downturn and positive signs about the future of retail in the state are keep

IF we're to be subjected to that "D" word, then let's at least focus on the correct one, which means ignoring the depression sparked by Wall Street's 1929 crash.

Perth-based Indo Mines has received government approval to develop its $870 million Jogjakarta liquid iron project in Indonesia, the first such approval granted to a foreign company in over 10 years.

Westpac Banking Corporation has cut its standard variable home loan interest rate by 65 basis points, while the National Australia Bank has lowered its rate by 62 basis points.

The Western Australian housing market has taken another hit today with latest figures showing building approvals falling nearly 14 per cent in September, nearly double that of the national trend.

Allco crashes under $1bn debt burden; Receivers to take over ABC Learning; White knight tip emerges in battle for Mt Gibson control; ETS modelling under fire; Telstra issue broadband ultimatum

Western Australia's business community will have the opportunity to ask the federal government questions regarding the financial crisis, as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA welcomed today's rate cut decision by the central bank.

CommSec is tipping a further interest rate cut of 25 basis points next month as the central bank today slashed rates by a bigger than expected 75 basis points, a move welcomed by various lobby groups across the country.

Western Australian businesses spend more on research and development as a proportion of gross state product than business in any other state, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is the first bank to pass on some of the central bank's rate cut, lowering its standard variable home loan rate by 58 basis points.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the official cash rate by 75 basis points to 5.25 per cent, its lowest level since March 2005.

A new survey has revealed business conditions have slumped to their lowest level in 14 years, backing the need for today's expected interest rate cut.

The takeover tussle for Incremental Petroleum Ltd could be extended after the corporate watchdog asked bidder Cooper Energy Ltd to extend its deadline that it thought was final.

Delay carbon plan, warns RBA director; Hundreds of jobs go as crisis hits miners; Stamp duty slump hits state budgets; Housing, retail downturn boost case for rate cut; China demand slowing, admits Rio

Australian executives are expecting further economic turbulence in the New Year as credit market conditions, a volatile Australian dollar and inflationary pressures impact profit and investment prospects for 2009.

Gindalbie Metals Ltd plans to raise $162 million through a share placement to Chinese project partner AnSteel to cover its final payment towards the $1.8 billion Karara iron ore joint venture.

Cazaly Resources Ltd will pay a total of $6 million to West Perth-based Carbine Resources Ltd to exit a farm in and joint venture deal.

Western Australia has recorded the biggest drop in newspaper job advertisements for October, in line with the national decline as firms shied away from hiring staff in a slowing economy, a survey says.

Talks start on WA uranium mining; China output slows as exports fall; Vale set to slash iron ore output; Jobs to go as squeeze hits car dealers; Unions shape up for Telstra strike action

The Western Australian housing market is tipped to bottom out this December quarter as new homes sales during September jumped 19.5 per cent, however Perth remains the worst performer in property values.

Westpac outshines its rivals; RBA plays down fears of recession; Wesfarmers seeks €3b to cover Coles debt; Miners pull projects as prices drop; Bills go up $365 as LNG hit hard

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy say the federal government's economic modelling of its proposed emissions trading scheme has confirmed their concerns about the scheme and its impact on the state.