Government

The Reserve Bank of Australia has responded to the global financial crisis by cutting official interest rates by 1 percentage point to 6 per cent, larger than the widely expected half a percentage point cut.

The former Western Australian government's $37 million investment into streamlining the state's resource approval process has largely failed, according to a report by the Auditor General.

A joint venture including Macquarie Bank Ltd have purchased 7500 square metres of office space and retail arcade on Hay Street known as 160 Central for some $40 million.

Backflip on Varanus may see state government gag report findings; Crisis sparks bank shake-up; Pilbara workers to strike; Investors hammer oil giants on global worries; Banks turn to fund for cheap cash

The state's ranking as the nation's riskiest territory for mining investment comes as "no surprise", the Chamber of Minerals and Energy said.

The former chairman of the state's Environmental Protection Authority has failed to quash a corruption report linking him to disgraced former premier and lobbyist Brian Burke.

The state environment watchdog has recommended a proposal by the Water Corporation for the development of a desalination plant at Binningup, with the final nod of approval now needed from new Environment Minister Donna Faragher.

Varanus gas blast a $2b blow to WA; Recession fears increase; Shareholders target boards in executive pay revolt; ANZ readies axe over troubled lending arm; Top China official in warning on BHP-Rio tie

Housing and Works Minister Troy Buswell has ordered a review of public housing stock in high-end suburbs of Perth with a view to eventually reinvest the value of some properties to greater effect elsewhere.

Emerging producer Atlas Iron Ltd expects to disclose its off-take arrangements shortly as it today received the final environmental approval for its Pardoo iron ore project in the Pilbara.

The state corruption watchdog has recommended that former deputy of the resources department, Gary Stokes, be prosecuted after finding he engaged in serious misconduct for supplying information to disgraced former premier Brian Burke.

Emu tower struggles to sign up a builder; WA, Qld the winners in harvest, too; PM unlocks $20bn future fund; Analysts tip China slowdown to hit iron; Global economy fears overshadow bailout support

The global wait begins for an expected tight vote on the $US700 billion rescue package in the US House of Representatives after the Senate today passed the bailout plan designed to calm panicky bourses.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has told a Senate inquiry into the Varanus Island gas explosion the approvals process has made the state's energy supply structure vulnerable.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett will raise Australia's investment relationship with China at today's Council of Australian Governments meeting in Perth.

Shares bounce back as US rescue hopes rise; BHP-Rio nod sparks stock rally; Inpex set out to avoid regulation: land council; CBA pounces on BankWest with low-ball offer; Breakthrough on national consumer laws

EXPORTERS should remain relatively shielded from any dramatic downturns in the global economy, with the demand from China expected to remain robust.

THE downturn in Western Australia's property sector has produced an increase in property repossessions and home loan arrears in the state, according to a report from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

While the state continues on its record run with $68 billion in exports, three big resource sector producers dominate the field.

THE state's information technology and communications export businesses are getting a foothold in international markets, according to the WA Business News Book of Lists.

MIGRATION agents believe new federal legislation aimed at cracking down on employers that exploit workers under the temporary 457 visa program will lead to a further tightening of employer obligations.

CHINA continues to dominate Western Australia's export focus, generating more than $16 billion in revenue in 2007-08, according to figures from the Department of Industry and Resources.

EDUCATION remains a key export in Western Australia, with the sector's major players posting double digit revenue increases last year.

A MULTI-AWARD winning Perth-based web services company is continuing to grow with an expansion into Melbourne.

INFORMATION technology and communications specialists Datamerge has bought Margaret River firm Queensberry Consulting as part of a strategy to overcome the dearth of skilled IT professionals in Western Australia.

THE resources sector may generate the lion's share of the state's export revenue, but the agricultural industry is also creating significant revenues, particularly grain exports.

RALLIES on global markets last week were a direct result of short covering and some over-exuberance by a few who have not yet lost all their investments or hope.

MINERAL and petroleum commodities dominate Western Australian exports, with iron ore alone accounting for almost one-third of the state's total exports.

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.

THERE was something almost surreal about events last Friday when Western Australia lost the country's single largest resources project as the rest of the world trembled over the fallout from the global financial crisis.

HENDERSON-BASED shipbuilder Austal Ltd has cemented its place as Western Australia's largest manufacturing exporter, achieving $383.

THE timber industry will seek the support of other industry groups in launching a proposed joint class action over losses from the state's gas crisis, if an official report into the explosion at Varanus Island cites negligence as the cause.