Latest Headlines

Australia's corporate watchdog has started legal action against Westpac over poor financial advice provided by one of the bank's former financial planners, Sudhir Kumar Sinha.

The environmental watchdog has recommended conditional approval to US-based Albemarle Corporation’s proposed 100,000 tonnes per annum lithium refinery near Bunbury.

Welshpool-based MACA has been awarded a $30.2 million state government contract for roadworks in the Pilbara region.

Perth investor Tony Grist is set to take charge of US-focused 3D printing company Robo 3D, which has announced the acquisition of a US software company operating in a related field and major cost cuts in its existing business as it seeks to achieve breakeven trading.

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss BHP’s new iron ore mine, plus more good news on lithium and nickel, the battle over Atlas Iron and shipping rights at Port Hedland, Perth house prices – which suburbs have delivered the best long-term returns, and our special report on infrastructure.

The University of Western Australia has big plans for its newly established Public Policy Institute, with hopes its research will have a powerful, real-world impact.

The state’s two leading arts festivals have a large role to play in the cultural and creative vibrancy of Perth during the summer months, according to their impact reports released this week.

Opinion: A big weekend of by-elections could have been avoided if tighter candidate guidelines were in place.

The Australian share market has rallied in early trade thanks to higher commodity prices boosting the miners and a strong start from the big banks after a positive lead from Wall Street.

Gold prices have risen to a one-month high after the European Central Bank pledged to keep interest rates steady through to the northern summer of 2019 and investors fret over weak Chinese data.

Oil prices are mixed, with Brent slipping and WTI gaining, as a stronger US dollar weighs and a key supply-setting meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries looms.

The Australian dollar has slipped below 75 US cents, dropping more than half a cent as the greenback soars with the US dollar index up 1.1 per cent.

Fed hikes put squeeze on banks

A second mining major has given the green light to a big iron ore development in a month, with BHP’s board approving the $4.5 billion South Flank development on Thursday.

Rooftop solar capacity across Perth and surrounds will nearly triple in the next decade, to be about 2.3 gigawatts, as the Australian Energy Market Operator confirmed current capacity and demand side management was sufficient to meet forecast demand on the South West Interconnected System power network.

Australian shares have closed the day weaker after soft local job figures and weak economic data out of China weighed on a market already under pressure from overnight falls on Wall Street.

Businesses and farmers see a bright future for the hemp industry in WA following recent legislative changes, but the fledging sector needs support.

David Hohnen has been at the top of his game for two decades, and is one of many quality local businesspeople named in the Queen’s Birthday honours this month.

The Western Australian government has downplayed security worries around the expected award of a $120 million Public Transport Authority contract to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.

Atlas Iron has disclosed it no longer holds exclusive port development rights at Port Hedland that were central to the takeover battle that has involved three mining heavyweights buying shares in the company.

The former executive officer of a Western Australian Aboriginal corporation has been ordered to pay more than $430,000 in compensation and penalties after he borrowed money from the non-profit entity that he couldn't repay.

Melbourne-based fertiliser and explosives manufacturers Incitec Pivot and Orica have continued their battle for iron ore contracts in the Pilbara, with Incitec winning a five-year supply deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

Iron ore miner Roy Hill has connected its Port Hedland operations to Horizon Power’s North West Interconnected System following the installation of extensive underground facilities, which began in 2016.

New data out today shows female participation on ASX 200 boards has increased to 27.7 per cent in May, however five companies, including Perth-based Ausdrill, still have no female directors.

Western Australia’s unemployment rate fell slightly in May to 6.4 per cent despite the local economy losing nearly 2,000 jobs, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The corporate watchdog has launched legal action in the Federal Court against former Quintis managing director Frank Wilson, alleging he failed to disclose the loss of a major contract in 2017.

The Australian share market has lost marginal ground following a negative lead from Wall Street after the US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates and foreshadowed a brisker pace of rises for the rest of 2018.

The Australian dollar is a little higher against its US counterpart after a jump then fall in the greenback following the Federal Reserve's lifting of its key interest rate by a quarter of one per cent.

Oil prices have turned positive after a bigger-than-expected decline in US crude inventories along with surprise drawdowns in petrol and distillates indicated strong demand in the world's top oil consumer.

Gold prices have turned lower after the US Federal Reserve announced it was raising interest rates.

Elanor in $125m Perth purchase