Latest Headlines

The state government has finalised its preferred model for local council reform, putting forward new boundaries that would cut the number of metropolitan councils by half to 15 - one more than under proposals released in July.

The state government has finalised the acquisition of land at James Price Point for future gas projects, as the industry continues to focus on floating LNG developments, with the Scarborough project gaining environmental approval.

The WA economy is on track for a solid end to the year, according to the latest Westpac CCI Leading Index of WA Economic Activity.

A plan for a small bar in Claremont devised by John Poynton, Adrian Fini and The Wine Store’s Robert Bates-Smith has hit a hurdle with local councillors rejecting the initial plan.

A five-storey, 204-apartment proposal by Blackburne Property Group has been refused planning approval by the Metro West Joint Development Assessment Panel.

Seven Group says it will cut 630 positions across its Westrac business in a divisional restructure.

The Greens are demanding an explanation from Clive Palmer about an apparent alliance with the Australian Sports Party's senator-elect Wayne Dropulich.

The Australian stock market has opened higher, offsetting losses from the previous session.

Perth-based Wolf Minerals announced a milestone in the environmental permitting process for its Hemerdon tungsten and tin project in Devon, south-west England.

Oil prices rose on Monday after marathon talks in Geneva aimed at persuading Iran to curb its disputed nuclear program ended without an agreement.

Rupert Murdoch's newspaper publishing business News Corporation has reported a net profit of $US38 million ($A40.60 million) for the first quarter.

US stocks have ended modestly higher as investors appeared to take a breather in a semi-holiday session after Friday's strong rally on the back of encouraging jobs data.

A surprisingly strong US jobs report continues to weigh on the Australian dollar in the absence of any other significant economic data.

Sometimes it can be better to go as far as you can before using other people's money.

AFG Property is set to proceed with construction of its $87 million Richmond Quarter apartment development in East Fremantle after appointing Pindan this week as the builder.

Forge Group says performance issues at two of its power station projects are likely to affect its earnings guidance, with the company extending a voluntary trading suspension as it holds discussions with financiers.

Former federal police commissioner Mick Keelty is already convinced the missing votes in the Western Australian Senate election materially affected the result, but says it's unlikely their disappearance was caused by corruption.

Rural services company Elders expects to report a loss of more than $500 million for its recently concluded fiscal year.

Explosives and chemicals supplier Orica expects higher profits in 2014 as key North American coal markets improve, and the company sells more sophisticated explosives and blasting systems.

More than a decade after it exited the cinema advertising market in Western Australia, national media group Val Morgan has returned with the acquisition of local agency CineAds.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors put aside a positive lead from US markets and took a breather from a strong run upwards in recent months.

A commitment to philanthropy has strengthened business networks for Perth contractor Mining and Civil Australia.

State government agency Healthway made headlines this year for its large sponsorship deals with the Western Australian Cricket Association and Perth Glory, but a new study has found its sponsorship of arts events is the quiet achiever.

A slowing of capital works spending and a brake on public sector recruitment are among the premier’s measures for reining-in debt.

West Perth-based gold explorer Golden Rim Resources has lined up $4 million in funding under an agreement with global financier RMB Resources as it looks towards completion of a bankable feasibility study at its Balogo project in Burkina Faso.

A jump in the number of new home loans during September is another sign that interest rate cuts take time to boost the economy, an economist says.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the rocky start to his second term is behind him.

Fortescue Metals Group announced that lead arrangers Credit Suisse and JP Morgan have successfully completed an amendment and repricing process for its senior secured debt facility.

The Australian stock market has opened higher after stronger than expected US jobs figures lifted investor sentiment on Wall Street.

The ability to pay for the needs of our ageing population will be a test of the Abbott government, and all those after it.

Gold futures have fallen to their lowest level in three weeks after a surprisingly strong US labour-market reading re-animated fears the Federal Reserve would soon curtail its bond purchases.

Twitter has held centre stage on Wall Street in a week of rocky trade that ultimately held up against sell-offs of bubbly tech shares to produce a new Dow record.