Latest Headlines

The Australian dollar opened domestic trade lower today, as currencies struggled to find direction during a cautious offshore session.

Western Australia’s housing construction market is seemingly emerging from its three-year trough, with industry figures showing new home sales increased for a third consecutive month in December.

PERTH’S office market is starting to tighten again for the first time since the middle of 2008 when the vacancy rates virtually hit zero at the height of the boom.

TRAVEL is a good business to be in, because it’s a product that almost everyone is interested in, according to travel agent and internet entrepreneur Annette Porter.

WITH the Picassos and Magrittes safely home in Venice, Art Gallery of Western Australia director Stefano Carboni is breathing a sigh of relief that the Peggy Guggenheim exhibition went smoothly from beginning to end.

The newest addition to Mayland’s burgeoning cafe scene has attracted a loyal and passionate following in just a couple of months. Natalie Gerritsen reports.

There’s a mountain to climb if political correctness is to be overcome.

Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls’ recent spat with Labor over FOI has raised plenty of concerns over the legislation and what is the ‘public interest’.

Recent controversy over a successful technology company highlights the need for a coherent industry policy in WA.

The figures might look good for Gina Rinehart now, but there’s plenty of upside.

Smooth passage through the liquor licensing process eludes many applicants, despite the Liquor Commission’s clear requirements.

Getting rich is tougher than most people think.

Under the leadership of Brendon Grylls the Nationals are increasingly confident about their future role in state politics.

IT’S common to hear the leaders of established businesses name two vital ingredients to success – planning and developing relationships.

The outlook for non-residential building construction in WA is weak but the impact on each business will depend on where they sit in the construction cycle.

“REPORTS of my death have been greatly exaggerated” is a classic line that could be applied to building construction opportunities in the office and education markets.

THE state government is evaluating a range of alternative contracting and procurement models in the health and corrective services fields, potentially offering new opportunities to building construction companies.

COMPETITION between tenants is expected to place upwards pressure on rents, that could be the lone bright spot in a struggling residential property market, according to REIWA president Alan Bourke.

The West Australian government's long awaited legislation for fixed-term elections is expected to be introduced next week nearly two and a half years after it was promised.

Bankwest has recovered from last year's slump with an interim net profit of $224 million, after reducing its impaired loans expense and cutting business lending by 10 per cent.

Independence Group has launched a friendly all scrip takeover offer for base metals miner Jabiru Metals, in a deal that values the target at $532 million.

The Australian bourse closed in the black for the third consecutive day after a better than expected profit result from Commonwealth Bank drove gains in the financial sector.

The Australian dollar was lower today, as currency traders waited for local jobs data.

Developer Aspen Group says it is ready to commence development of its latest residential land syndicate, the Enclave at St Leonards, after it received bank approval for borrowing facilities.

Stockland has upgraded its full year earnings after doubling first half profit from the previous corresponding period because of a solid increase in commercial and residential property sales.

Perth-based resources sector services provider NRW Holdings has flagged a rise in first half net profit of about 30 per cent, compared to the previous corresponding period.

Rio Tinto has announced plans to extend its Marandoo iron ore mine, with the international miner committing $US933 million to stretch its life by 16 years.

Hang on to your hat and watch your savings because if last night's sharp rise in the price of gold is an accurate guide, a long-predicted wall of inflation is about to break over the world.

Mount Gibson Iron has announced a first half profit of $140 million, despite experiencing a fall in production.

Pan Asia Corp's share value has jumped, after it announced a 73 per cent increase in its resource estimate at its TCM coal project in Indonesia.

Plexal Group has underpinned the opening of its Bangladesh office by winning a $15 million contract to provide engineering services for Chevron.

The Western Australian Farmers Federation has urged consumers to buy branded milk, butter and cream products in a campaign it says is vital to support the local dairy industry.