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Australian exploration companies are renowned for pursuing opportunities in all corners of the globe, seeking out regions that will give them a competitive edge.

Homebuilders in Western Australia are facing rising input costs, created by a shortage of skilled labour and increased regulatory compliance.

A $35 million submarine support facility, which accommodates 185 employees managing a 25-year contract to maintain Australia's Collins Class submarine fleet, was officially opened today.

An independent poll commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA shows a record number of Western Australians support removing the current restrictions on shop trading hours.

IT service provider AGS Group has secured its largest Federal Government contract, worth an estimated $30m over an initial four years.

Rockingham-based company Steelpipe Australia has secured a $5.9 million contract with Fremantle Ports to reconstruct North Quay Berth 10.

The Evans & Tate name is set to be removed from the stock exchange boards following a move by a consortium to take control of the listed shell and some its lesser known wine brands.

Litigation funder IMF (Australia) Ltd has scaled up its earnings forecast for the current financial year, advising that its net profit after-tax is expected to be at least $15 million and could be as high as $19 million.

Small Business Minister Margaret Quirk today released the report of an inquiry into the operation of franchise businesses in Western Australia.

National Native Title Council Chairman, Brian Wyatt, said that last week's Noongar Native Title Decision demonstrates the deficiencies and unworkability of the Native Title Act.

TRADE OPPORTUNITIES

A clampdown in the approvals process of exploration applications is potentially causing costly delays for the state’s resource companies.

If recent trends in London and New York are any guide, more Australian lawyers could be following the likes of Tim Lester and Heath Lewis back to Perth.

TREASURER Eric Ripper has announced that former Alcoa Australia managing director, Wayne Osborn, will be the inaugural chair of GESB Mutual Ltd, which will be the largest financial services company ba

It’s the kind of story that would be big news in so many places. A couple of boffins come together with a pair of money men, see a gap in the market, and set up a business.

Residential builders may soon have an increased responsibility for the health and safety of their civil contractors, according to two new sets of regulations set to be adopted by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.

An international legal consultancy with a major focus on the energy services sector has made Perth its Asia Pacific headquarters in a bid to capitalise on the corridor of opportunity between India and Australia.

The state government’s development of the Perth foreshore has hit its first major stumbling block, with the City of Perth’s planning committee overruling its administration to reject key elements of the foreshore plan.

Darrel Jarvis remains a believer in the Palandri wine business which he has sought to resuscitate with Chinese backing, blaming the high gearing levels created by the group’s finance division for its collapse.

Increasing production and staff costs have been significant players in the current rising food prices, and local producers such as meat processor V&V Walsh have had to develop new strategies to keep their business afloat.

The Howard government was repeatedly attacked for undermining workers’ rights, so it is ironic that one of its creations, the Workplace Ombudsman, has become a forceful protector of workers.

Five years of solid growth has enabled Clayton Utz to become the second largest law firm in Perth, behind only long-time market leader Freehills.

More than two years after the site was bought by a private developer, debate over the future of the old Swanbourne Hospital grounds in Mt Claremont is continuing, with the City of Nedlands likely to reject the $50 million residential development proposed

Former University of Western Australia academic Dr Bruce Gray had a big win over his erstwhile employer in a landmark Federal Court ruling handed down last week but faces the prospect of further legal action from the company he founded, Sirtex Medical Ltd

Building heights, view corridors and the placement of buildings were the key issues raised by the City of Perth’s planning committee in its report to council on the foreshore development.

The biggest talking point in Australia during the past week has, not surprisingly, been Kevin Rudd’s talkfest, the Australia 2020 summit in Canberra.

The state government's plan for the Perth foreshore is expected to receive general support from the City of Perth at tonight's council meeting, despite a report from its planning committee criticising elements of the project.

Treasurer Eric Ripper today announced that former Alcoa Australia managing director Wayne Osborn would be the inaugural chair of GESB Mutual Ltd, which will be the largest financial services company based in Western Australia when launched on 1 July.

Spotless Group Ltd expects to despatch a bidder's statement tommorow, and formally present its takeover offer to Programmed Maintenance Services Ltd shareholders.

A new lobby group, which comprises five small mining companies in the Pilbara, is putting pressure on the Western Australian government to provide better infrastructure for smaller miners in the Pilbara region.

Balcatta-based ticketing company ERG Ltd plans to sell half of its business to its major shareholder and lender after reporting a $104.7 million loss for the half year to December 2007.

A total of $21 million will be spent on a broadband development project to facilitate health and emergency services for people living in remote and regional areas of Australia as part of a state and federal government joint initiative.