Latest Headlines

Santos says it plans to hold on to its Barossa and Caldita gas fields in the Timor Sea, saying they provide a long-term option to feed the established Darwin LNG plant.

Energy giants Shell and Woodside have snapped up the lion's share of petroleum exploration permits which will see more than $300 million of investment in waters off Western Australia.

The retail recovery continued to strengthen in October, posting the strongest gains since September 2009, according to new research from the Commonwealth Bank.

Skilled labour in the residential building industry has hit surplus for a consecutive quarter, an industry group says.

Engineering firm Monadelphous Group has announced new contracts in Australia and Papua New Guinea with a combined value of $140 million.

Coalition MPs won't vote to increase super contributions to 12 per cent when legislation goes to parliament, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Telstra could reach agreement with regulators over its participation in the national broadband network before the end of the year, the telco says.

Key independent MP Tony Windsor says he is more than likely to support the government's proposed minerals resource rent tax when the bill enters parliament next week.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent lower as expected, following falls on Wall Street and European markets overnight.

iiNet founder Michael Malone has become the second Western Australian businessman in as many years to be named Ernst & Young's Australian Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Australian dollar is lower this morning, falling below parity with the US dollar ofor the first time since October 12.

US stocks have taken a sharp plunge as fears over the contagion in the eurozone crisis trumped some mildly positive data on the US economy.

BHP Billiton has become more way about the global outlook for commodities as Europe's debt problems start to worry its big Chinese iron ore customers.

The state government has signed a new agreement with the international wing of the Japan Finance Corporation, in an effort to foster business links with the country.

Matrix Composites & Engineering has announced $61 million in new contracts, taking its order book through February 2013 to $105 million.

Federal Labor's mining tax is on the table for debate next week but is not yet a done deal as talks with crossbench independent MPs continue, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Marine safety equipment provider Mobilarm has secured its first production order for its Crewsafe V200 emergency beacon from the Dutch Navy.

FairStar Resources has passed another key milestone for the development of its Steeple Hill tenements, after the state government granted a mining lease today.

Treasurer Wayne Swan expects the economy will still be growing at trend in the current financial year when he hands down Treasury's latest economic forecasts with the mid-year budget review.

Perth’s office market has recorded the fifth strongest annual rental increase across 81 markets worldwide and is the best-performing in Australia, according to new research released by Jones Lang L

The Australian share market closed slightly higher as investors shrugged off significant falls on overseas markets and focused on domestic corporate news.

Richmond Mining shares have rocketed after the company said it had received a financing offer worth up to $US180 million for the development of its Buena Vista iron project in Nevada.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is focusing more on managing risk, given the financial volatility seen over the past few years, its governor, Glenn Stevens, said.

Industrial services company Spotless Group says a $698 million takeover offer from a private equity firm undervalues the company.

One day after being praised by chairman Geoff Hill at the company’s annual meeting, iron ore miner Mount Gibson Iron has announced that managing director Luke Tonkin will step down from the role.

Property developer Mirvac Group does not expect a correction in the residential market, and believes demand for office space is set to remain strong.

The Australian Greens will seek to broaden the minerals resource rent tax to cover uranium.

Qatar Airways says it will add Perth to the fast-growing airline's network next year.Flights would be launched over the "next few months", Qatar Airways said in a statement.

Western Australia's non-genetically modified (GM) grain sector could vanish within the next 10 years due to contamination from GM crops, some farmers and conservation groups fear.

Global Construction Services has appointed Mineral Resources managing director Peter Wade as its non-executive chairman.

US President Barack Obama says America is "all in" when it comes to the Asian century and will turn the full focus of the global power's trade and defence policies to the region.

Mining contractor MACA has announced a $65 million contract with Kimberley Diamonds Company at the Ellendale project, 120 kilometres east of Derby.