Government

Litigation funder IMF (Australia) Ltd will pocket a further $1.35 million after a New South Wales court ruled in favour of Concept Equity Pty Ltd against Challenger Group Holdings Ltd.

Opposition leader Colin Barnett is expected to announce his shadow ministry at noon today as the count down to the state election begins.

Western Australia will head to the polls on September 6 after Premier Alan Carpenter called a snap election, drawing surprise from the state opposition and predictions it will be a close-fought race.

The transfer of the livestock centre from Midland to Muchea is estimated to deliver a $467 million economic benefit to the state over 20 years as Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance calls for tenders.

Cutbacks and asset sell-offs at the Houghton and Goundrey wine operations have been announced by US-based owner Constellation Brands as part of major changes at its Australian operations.

Premier Alan Carpenter is expected to call an election for September 6, a day after Colin Barnett was elected to lead the state Liberal Party.

The jobless rate in Western Australia has decreased to a seasonally adjusted 3.1 per cent in July while the national rate remained unchanged at 4.3 per cent.

West Perth-based Nkwe Platinum has signed exclusive option agreements valued at nearly $A14 million with global mining company Xstrata and Leederville-based International Goldfields Ltd over several African projects.

COLIN Barnett has raised his hand for another tilt at the Liberal Party leadership but first has to find an electorate, after Deidre Willmott said she wanted to continue as the endorsed candidate f

The solar panel industry has challenged the federal government's claim of significant growth in solar rebate applications since its decision to means test the $8,000 rebate.

Belinda Dunbar, His Majesty's Theatre deputy general manager (8 years) and executive producer of the Brainbox Project (3 years)

The attributes of a good leader include the ability to plan for the long term and put in place a succession plan.

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 Resour

It's hardly news that business is under-represented in the City of Perth; we've run a number of stories to that effect in recent years.

The timing of the state government's announcement of Oakajee Port and Rail Pty Ltd as the preferred developer of the $2 billion Oakajee port project was impeccable, according to Geraldton mayor Ian Carpenter.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry business luncheon will take place on August 12 (RSVP by August 7).

The state's second largest skydiving facility has experienced a 30 per cent drop in skydives since an inquiry into the sport was launched by Coroner Alastair Hope in 2006 - a process that many in the industry feel has done little to improve things.

It's heartening to find that members of the Liberal Party can still find something to laugh about.

I've spent an interesting few days examining the views of a number of business people to understand just where our economy is heading.

In halls of power around the world, some very worried politicians and public servants are beginning to realise that peak oil production is real and it is happening right now.

Business has asked for temporary tax relief and sought a bigger role for the Small Business Development Corporation as the key elements of an assistance package in the wake of the Varanus Island gas crisis.

Perth-based mining explorer and developer Azure Minerals Ltd has found a wealth of opportunities in Mexico, currently holding 22 base and precious metals mining projects in the region.

The growing rate of homelessness in Western Australia is a by-product of the state's mining boom, according to the Community Housing Coalition of WA.

The Western Australian hospitality industry is moving towards more sustainable waste management in their operations, with the introduction of glass crushing technology to a number of venues around Perth.

Liberal member Deidre Willmott has announced she will step aside as the endorsed candidate for the seat of Cottesloe as new leader Colin Barnet indicated he will revisit plans for a water canal from the Kimberley to Perth.

The Carpenter government has ordered a review into the security of the state's gas supplies following two major interruptions this year as gas begins to flow at Apache Energy Ltd's Varanus Island facility today.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has used the corporate watchdog's inquiry into grocery prices to back its calls for a reform to the state's "archaic" retail trading hours.

QRSciences Holdings Ltd has entered into a share exchange agreement with a United States company to sell its private arm that specialises in developing technology systems in a scrip and cash deal worth $A12 million.

Emerging junior iron ore producers in the Pilbara have been given a boost today after the North West Iron Ore Alliance secured two new multi-user berths in the Port Hedland inner habour.

The State Government has approved a new assessment system to encourage mine owners to fulfil their tenement obligations for mine closure and rehabilitation, which has been welcomed by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Conservation Council of WA.

Colin Barnett has raised his hand for another tilt at the Liberal Party leadership but first has to find an electorate after Deidre Willmott said she wanted to continue as the endorsed candidate for his seat of Cottesloe.

Education group Navitas Ltd has posted record earnings for the 2008 financial year with the substantial increase in student enrolments underpinning the group's success.