Regulation

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has launched civil proceedings against Perth-based State One Stockbroking, and in a separate matter has accepted undertakings from two liquidators employed by Melsom Robson.

Aspiring gold miner Gold Road Resources has received the Environmental Protection Authority’s nod of approval for its proposed development of its $507 million Gruyere project near Laverton.

The recently appointed Australian small business and family enterprise ombudsman has launched an inquiry into the payment practices of big businesses and governments across Australia.

Macmahon Holdings has unveiled the remuneration package for new chief executive Michael Finnegan, adding to a trend in the contracting sector for lower base salaries but greater potential for bonuses.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has permanently banned a Perth man from providing financial services after finding he had redirected $254,000 worth of clients’ funds into his own accounts.

Perth-based Cash Converters International has agreed to refund $10.8 million to customers and pay a $1.3 million fine after enforceable undertakings were accepted by the corporate watchdog.

The competition watchdog has raised concerns about the way Aldi, Coles and Woolworths treat suppliers when dumping products from their supermarket shelves.

The Australian Securities Exchange has softened the changes to its listing requirements for companies wishing to trade on the stock market, with the new rules to take effect from next month.

A former York real estate agent has lost his licence and his son is facing further penalties after the State Administrative Tribunal upheld allegations they pocketed $6 million from deceitful and misleading land deals.

The supervisor of Dianella-based building company Frayson has been fined $15,000 for failing in his duties as a manager and supervisor on work carried out at 20 Perth properties over a 10-year period.

The state government has failed to hit any of the targets in its own waste management strategy, and part of the reason is a lack of coordination among its two key agencies, a review by the auditor general has found.

The co-founders of a successful property developer Nicheliving are mired in a legal dispute after plans to buy out key executive Danne Forte were halted when other directors questioned his financial projections.

Grain handling cooperative CBH Group has opened itself up to increased competition in the provision of grain transport services, following a review by the competition watchdog.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of BC Iron’s extension plans at its Iron Valley mine near Newman.

The corporate watchdog is looking at how the ASX, brokers and investors operate on the share market following the exchange's September crash.

Veronica Macpherson’s Macro Realty Developments has had its Australian financial services licence torn up by the corporate regulator.

Advisers to mining and exploration companies have tentatively welcomed new guidance from the corporate regulator on forward-looking statements but believe more clarity is needed.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has been appointed by the corporate watchdog to sell a portion of shares in Sovereign Gold Company held by former Applabs Technologies directors which were found to have been acquired invalidly.

Telstra has defended the quality of its network after a series of major disruptions this year while also warning against the possible regulation of mobile roaming charges.

A lack of clear information in Australian broadband advertising is contributing toward unrealistic expectations of internet speed, the chairman of the consumer watchdog says.

Former footballer and insurance broker Andrew Donnelly has failed to overturn freezing orders that were imposed in January in relation to the alleged misuse of $5.1 million of trust funds from his old business.

The competition regulator has initiated Federal Court proceedings against Perth-based franchise chain Pastacup and its co-founder Stuart Bernstein for alleged breaches of the Franchising Code of Conduct.

Citation Resources has appointed KordaMentha as voluntary administrators, while the oil and gas company continues to pursue recovery of funds through a civil action against former director Peter Landau.

Mineral Resources is a step closer to developing its bulk ore transport system (BOTS) in the Pilbara after the project was recommended for approval by the environmental watchdog.

Car retailer Automotive Holdings Group is bracing for a potential earnings hit when the corporate regulator enacts reforms to finance and insurance commission arrangements next year.

Health insurer BUPA has admitted to rejecting more than 7,000 claims over five years without having the refusal assessed by a doctor as required by law.

The corporate regulator has blasted the insurance industry over expensive, poor-value add-on policies sold to car buyers, warning there are "serious problems" in the market that must be fixed immediately.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of global miner Cliffs Natural Resources’ plans to extend its Koolyanobbing iron ore operations, as Mineral Resources continues to seek approval for its own expansion plans in the same region.

The $529 million Ord-East Kimberley expansion project cost more and took substantially longer than originally expected, has not delivered the expected benefits, and left the region with an unclear pathway for future development, auditor general Colin Murphy has found.

Toro Energy has received the environmental watchdog’s backing to mine two additional deposits at its Wiluna uranium project, subject to a number of strict conditions.

Hong Kong-based Brockman Mining has continued its run of legal victories in its efforts to gain access to Fortescue Metals Group’s rail infrastructure.

Biotechnology entrepreneur William Ardrey faces a retrial on fraud charges after Western Australia’s Court of Appeal found the jury had been misdirected in the original court case.