Latest Headlines

Retail spending is growing at a sluggish pace not helped by weakening consumer confidence, with the latest figures again coming in below forecasts.

BHP Billiton has confirmed it is reviewing its iron ore operations, after it was revealed last week job cuts were likely following a review at its Worsley Alumina operations south of Perth.

The Australian share market has closed lower as weaker than expected retail figures and uninspiring commentary from the Reserve Bank of Australia weighed on investor sentiment.

Legendary Western Australian sports commentator Dennis Cometti has made an unlikely appearance in a portrait submission for the Archibald Prize.

The state's rural confidence is at its highest level in over two years after a rainy autumn has found 84 per cent of farmers expecting this year to be better or as good as last year's season.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 2.5 per cent, as the local economy shows signs of improvement.

SPECIAL REPORT: Politicians with the ability to cut through on-message are a valuable commodity, and WA has one of the best.

SPECIAL REPORT: Power and influence in WA is adjusting to a new order after the boom.

Perth-based stockbroker Euroz has appointed former MLC chief executive Steve Tucker to head up a new funds management subsidiary as the company eyes opportunities in the listed investment company sector.

SPECIAL REPORT: Global economic forces, a national election and state political exits have shaped the 2014 Most Influential list.

The switch from ‘demand-pull' to ‘supply squeeze' in the global resources market may provide opportunities for WA miners.

Perth home values have gone backwards over the year to date despite growth in all other capital cities, according to the latest RP Data-Rismark home value index.

Businesses drawing on the emergence of a ‘sharing economy' are infiltrating Western Australia's traditional transport and hospitality sectors.

The Australian share market was weaker in early trade ignoring positive leads out of the US overnight.

The Australian dollar is weaker on the back of disappointing local building approvals figures.

Origin Energy says it had to act after agreeing to fork out up to $US800 million ($A865.57 million) for a stake in a new gas project off the Western Australian coast.

Oil prices have finished lower on mixed economic data and signs of higher crude output from members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Dow and S&P 500 again rose to new records following a solid report on US manufacturing activity, even as the Nasdaq lost ground.

Global Construction Services has forecast a big fall in full-year earnings amid challenging market conditions and continued delays to major projects.

Information technology group Titan ICT Consultants has been signed up by the Public Transport Authority to provide service desk and support services for Perth's passenger rail network.

Australian shares have lost ground as weak iron ore prices weighed on the market.

In this week's edition of Business News Background, head of content Mark Pownall and news editor Mark Beyer discuss the week's top news, including FMG's call for gas market reform, new hotel projects in East Perth and Fremantle, the launch of our Giving Well philanthropy guide, and our annual listing of the Most Influential people in business and politics in Western Australia.

Does it make sense for a gas producer to retain title over a gas field for 27 years without proceeding with development?

The big growth in WA's iron ore industry means it accounts for more than half of all jobs in the state's mining sector.

The slump in the price of iron-ore to near 20-month lows has failed to halt the development of assets in Australia and overseas, despite ongoing cost cutting across the sector.

Collapsed engineering firm Forge Group's old premises in West Perth have firmed as a likely landing spot for automotive parts buying group Capricorn Society, which is looking to consolidate its office requirements into one location.

Nickel miner Western Areas plans to expand its operations and pay down debt as higher nickel prices make marginal projects more viable.

Rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has raised about $40 million minus costs through a heavily discounted share purchase plan and placement.

Former Leighton Holdings chief executive Wal King has been appointed deputy chairman of Africa-focused iron ore hopeful Sundance Resources.

Canada-focused explorer Coalspur Mines says it stands little chance of developing its flagship Vista thermal coal project in the near-term as tough equity market conditions threaten the company's ongoing viability.

Atlas Iron managing director Ken Brinsden has called on opposition leader Bill Shorten to come up with an alternative to the Mineral Resources Rent Tax if Labor continued to block its repeal.

Perth drilling company Enerdrill has been selected to provide drilling rig services to AWE and Titan Energy's Perth Basin exploration permit for an undisclosed amount.