News

The state government has announced six more local businesses that will operate at the new $75 million Yagan Square development, set to be opened next month.

Australia have completed a 4-0 Ashes series win, with Pat Cummins' express pace easing his side to victory by an innings and 123 runs in the SCG finale.

The Australian share market has opened comfortably higher after key indexes around the globe made solid gains.

Power mess still needs to be fixed

Australia is in a commanding position after the second day of the final Ashes test, sitting at 2-193 with Steve Smith unbeaten on 44 and Usman Khawaja on 91.

The state government has approved an application from local business Old Salt to install a $2 million event barge on the Swan River near Elizabeth Quay.

Belgium has secured the tie win against Canada in the Hopman Cup at Perth Arena today.

Australian shares have closed higher on broad-based gains, led by banking stocks and a materials sector boosted by rising commodity prices.

Belmont-based Pindan has been awarded an $18 million state government building contract in Carnarvon, while Bunbury-based Perkins Builders has received an $8 million government contract.

Struggling gold producer Blackham Resources has released positive production results for December after being given a two-week reprieve on a $14 million debt repayment earlier this week.

Western Power has engaged digital marketing agency Bonfire to broaden the utility's engagement with customers beyond the traditional means.

Billabong is recommending shareholders accept a formal buyout proposal by the owner of Quiksilver, Roxy and DC Shoes.

Australian shares have opened comfortably higher, following strong gains in commodities and US markets where the Dow Jones index broke above the 25,000 mark for the first time.

Rising cost of energy bites hard

Gold has steadied around a 3-1/2-month high as prospects for further US interest rate increases put the brakes on a recent rally, while palladium touched record highs on tight supplies.

Oil has risen to its highest since May 2015, on concern about supply risks due to unrest in Iran and another decline in US inventories as refining activity hit a 12-year high.

The Australian dollar has marched higher against the US dollar following a rise in commodity prices.

Hobbled spearhead Mitchell Starc has struck late on day one of the Ashes series finale, denying Joe Root a century and reducing England to 5-233 at stumps.

Japan will finish last in Group B of the Hopman Cup after going down to Russia in the mixed doubles at Perth Arena today.

The private owner of Port Hedland International Airport has outlined plans for a $40 million redevelopment of the facility over the next five years.

Western Australia's automotive industry has finished the year down 2.5per cent in new vehicle sales relative to last year, after a drop in sales for December ended a two-month run of strong growth.

Australian shares have ended slightly higher with strong performances in the healthcare and energy sectors helping offset a weak session for the big miners and banks.

Medicinal cannabis producers have welcomed the Australian government's decision to approve exports of their products.

Local engineering and construction group Valmec has announced it will purchase Henderson-based specialist pipeline testing company APTS, which was recently put into receivership.

Australian shares have opened comfortably higher mimicking Wall Street where technology stocks drove the S&P500 above 2,700 for the first time.

Yowie chairman vows sweeter times ahead

Oil prices have risen nearly 2 per cent to their highest in two-and-a-half years, with buying spurred on by a sixth day of unrest in OPEC member Iran and strong economic data from the United States and Germany.

The Australian dollar is rebounded against a rallying US dollar, supported by strong iron ore prices.

Gold prices have fallen, extending losses after the Federal Reserve released minutes of its December policy meeting, which fed the view among investors that more US interest rate rises are in store.

Subiaco-based Blaze International has announced that it will acquire mining company Everest Minerals via the issue of 48,500,000 million shares to Everest shareholders.

Australian shares have closed higher as surging iron ore and coking coal prices helped lift energy and mining sectors.

Regional Express has been selected by the state government as the preferred airline for the Perth-Carnarvon-Monkey Mia air route while Skippers Aviation was nominated to remain in operation at the Perth-Northern Goldfields routes.