Regulation

The corporate watchdog has banned a former Perth-based AMP financial adviser from providing services for the next five years after he was found to have given clients poor advice.

ANZ is facing criminal charges over alleged cartel conduct related to a $2.5 billion share placement, while two of the underwriters to the deal, Citi and Deutsche Bank, also received notice of charges.

The federal government has rejected a mining exploration program by Perth-based CI Resources on Christmas Island that would have extended the company's existing phosphate operations by up to 10 years.

Perth-based Cash Converters International has made a $650,000 settlement payment in relation to concerns over its debt collection practices, as the company transitions the process to a specialist third party.

A cartage company has been fined $160,000 after pleading guilty to causing the death of two construction workers in East Perth in 2015 after tilt-up panels fell off a truck.

Local building contractor Archiapps has entered into voluntary administration, less than two weeks after the Building Commission issued a warning to consumers about the company.

A former Perth-based insurance broker has been permanently banned from the financial services industry by the corporate watchdog for misleading, deceptive and dishonest conduct.

A former Horizon Power IT manager and his business partner are being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission over allegations the pair billed the state-owned company more than $1 million for services provided by a firm they jointly owned.

Aboriginal communities in Western Australia's Kimberley region have had their native title rights recognised over 12,050 square kilometre of land on the Dampier Peninsula, including James Price Point.

Consumer Protection has revealed that 15 car owners are out of pocket nearly $1 million following the closure of West Perth car dealership Luxuride.

The banking royal commission's exposure of shady practices will no doubt lead to calls for change, but perfect solutions are hard to find.

Former Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese is facing fresh allegations related to the mining giant's disclosures about its disastrous $US4 billion African coal investment.

The Takeovers Panel has blocked a major shareholder of Finders Resources from accepting the recent takeover offer after the corporate watchdog submitted an application to the panel.

Iluka Resources has been served with a class action, with a group of shareholders alleging the mineral sands miner misled the market six years ago.

AMP chief executive Craig Meller has quit the wealth management giant, becoming the first major casualty of the Financial Services Royal Commission.

Thousands of workers will be out in force for wage increases and job security in union-led rallies across the country over two weeks, kicking off with a mass meeting of delegates in Melbourne.

Former Perth finance broker Peter Lachlan McDonald has pleaded guilty to giving false information and fraud charges following an investigation by the corporate watchdog.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has agreed to pay $3 million after the corporate watchdog found two of the lender's financial planning arms charged customers millions of dollars for advice they did not receive.

SPECIAL REPORT: The state government's plan to remove the payroll tax exemption for employees undertaking training has secured the support of the Greens and The Nationals WA, despite strong opposition from the Liberals and the state's leading business lobby group.

Perth-based kitchen appliances firm Thermomix has been ordered to pay $4.6 million in penalties after the Federal Court of Australia found that the company misled customers when its products were found to be dangerously faulty.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has helped local workers recover nearly $400,000 in unpaid wages, including more than $300,000 from court actions started by the regulator.

ANZ bank will pay $3 million after an investigation found the lender failed to provide more than 10,000 customers annual reviews of their investments.

The Takeovers Panel has thrown out an application from Perth-based Auris Minerals to stop a group of dissident shareholders from voting at a meeting to spill the company's board.

Liquidators have been appointed to Burswood-based Hayes Auctioneers after the business suffered financial difficulties, with up to 40 sellers out of pocket.

The corporate watchdog has today released a report outlining changes made by the big four banks to small business loans to remove unfair terms, while the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has flagged concerns with the major banks' mortgage pricing strategies.

Perth-based company Superfunded has been placed into liquidation after the Federal Court made orders to wind-up the business following an application by the corporate watchdog.

Australia's corporate watchdog has commenced legal proceedings against Rio Tinto and two former executives over its disastrous $US4 billion foray into Mozambique coal, 17 months after regulators in the UK and US took action on the same matter.

The corporate watchdog has banned Perth-based financial adviser Philip Leake from providing financial services for the next five years after he was found to have given poor advice to a number of clients.

Woolworths' liquor arm has resigned from the Liquor Stores Association of Western Australia, following the association's support for state government plans to restrict the growth of large liquor stores, such as Dan Murphy's and First Choice.

The director of a Perth security company has been acknowledged for selling personal assets to provide back pay for staff who were underpaid more than $200,000.

State government agency Tourism WA will have greater input into decisions on liquor licence applications, after Premier Mark McGowan today announced a series of regulatory reforms and red tape cuts.

As part of the 25-year Business News anniversary, we take a look at how the retail trade debate has changed.