Latest Headlines

LABOR treasury spokesman Chris Bowen insists a GST increase can't be the linchpin of widespread tax reform because it won't be enough to pay for measures to boost Australia's sluggish economy.

TWO of Western Australia's longest-established youth organisations have undertaken a number of initiatives to update the broader public's view of their roles and relevance.

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre has hit the sweet spot in live children's entertainment, continuing to attract audiences and a wide range of funding.

ONE of Perth's newest, and smallest, law firms is working with some of the world's biggest companies, capitalising on a niche area in which few other businesses in the Asia Pacific region have expe

The Australian share market has plunged well over 3 per cent, pulled down mainly by a big sell-off of resources stocks, especially global miner BHP Billiton.

Construction giant CIMIC Group has won a $300 million contract for gas field development works in the Surat Basin in Queensland for Australia Pacific LNG.

There was a lot of money made on residential property sales around Australia in the June quarter, but the joy wasn't spread around evenly, with more than 10 per cent of all houses and about 20 per cent of all units sold in Western Australia during the quarter selling at a loss.

The traditionally dominant players in Australian retail are being forced to reinvent themselves in the face of increased competition – from each other, and a host of international raiders.

Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre has entered into a development agreement with drilling services company Imdex for its Lab-at-Rig product, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs when drilling exploration holes.

While storm clouds gather over office assets and land development comes off the boil, interest in retail property is building as investors look for somewhere secure to park their cash. Click through to see our list of WA's top 10 locally-based shopping centre owners.

WA-based LNG Ltd has fallen back to earth as an oversupply of liquefied gas worldwide is hitting the share prices of gas-exposed stocks.

Struggling grocery supplier Metcash is beginning to see signs of improvements thanks to its renewed focus on fresh food and private label brands.

Perth companies Neometals and Mineral Resources have marked the start of construction at the Mt Marion lithium project, with first production targeted for mid-2016.

Perth based entities Primary Securities and GCM Advisory have launched Australia's first Aboriginal investment fund, with an aim to provide 15 per cent returns and promote the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

Alkane Resources has hired Finnish technology services supplier Outotec to provide early contractor involvement work at its Dubbo zirconia project in New South Wales.

Nickel miner Western Areas is moving forward with plans to increase its holding in South Australian tenements held by Monax Mining and Strandline Resources, and will begin a new drilling campaign in the coming weeks.

Outdoor clothing and goods retailer Kathmandu has announced it will quit the UK, on the same day it posted a 51.7 per cent slide in full-year net profit to $NZ20.4 million.

The Australian share market has slumped in early trade, joining the overnight retreat by US and European equities on deepened worries about China's economy.

Light rail back on Federal agenda

US stocks have fallen sharply, joining European equities in retreat after poor Chinese industrial data deepened worries about the world's second-biggest economy.

The Australian dollar has slipped below 70 US cents after Chinese industrial profits figures added to evidence that the Chinese economy is slowing.

Business groups in WA are taking the lead on forming a peak infrastructure council after state government failure to support the concept.

It's intriguing to see Western Australians are winners in a less conservative government.

Oil prices have dropped in the wake of a sharp fall in industrial profits in China, the latest sign of weakness in the world's largest energy consumer.

Gold had its worst session in two-and-a-half weeks, extending Friday's losses ahead of a key US jobs report later in the week that could boost bets the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year.

Karratha has become the second regional centre in Western Australia after Onslow to complete a major airport upgrade this year, with Busselton and Port Hedland set to commence projects that will lift total spending to about $240 million.

Heavy falls by energy stocks have pulled the share market lower, reversing early gains.

Phoenix Gold shareholders will be hoping for an improved takeover offer from Evolution Mining, after a proposal to acquire the business was knocked back by Phoenix directors today.

Fremantle defender Michael Johnson is in doubt for Friday night's AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn because of a back injury, according to reports.

Programmed Maintenance Services' $424 million takeover of its larger competitor Skilled Group is a step closer to fruition, after Skilled shareholders voted in favour of the scheme of arrangement today.

Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles fans will be heavily invested in the on-field action at the two preliminary finals in Perth tonight and tomorrow, but the operator of the ageing Domain stadium is counting on an even bigger bet coming off.

Mycovative is a small biotech startup run by molecular genetics and biotechnology student Ben Sharp.