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The state government seems to be enhancing its focus on business in regional areas of the state with the launch of a rural business mentoring program and plans this week for a visit to the north of the state exploring opportunities and obstacles for busin

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop will be in Perth this weekend to try to head-off a Liberal Party revolt over the emissions trading scheme, after Malcolm Turnbull said he would push for negotiations.

Western Australia is likely to be one of the few developed economies in the world to avoid a recession during the global economic slowdown, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA said today in its quarterly economic snapshot.

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The state government has contributed $7.4 million from the royalties for regions scheme for the upgrade of the Gascoyne irrigation pipeline, which will unlock the region's potential to become a key food producer.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lift the official cash rate has caused surprise and dismay from various lobby groups, with one from WA saying the central bank has acted too hastily.

Perth man Graeme Rundle has been charged by the corporate watchdog over his role as the chief financial controller in the failed Westpoint Group.

Investors in several Great Southern schemes face having their agribusiness assets seized by third party land-owners, after receivers were unable to secure financing to keep paying the leases.

Australia has become the first western economy in the world to lift interest rates with the Reserve Bank of Australia today increasing the official cash rate by 25 basis points.

The state government has revealed plans to increase foreshore land reserves for the Swan and Canning river systems as part of an overall plan to create a network of pathways, including one that stretches from Fremantle to the Swan Valley.

Increasing land and housing options and promoting housing growth through not-for-profit and private partnerships are some of key principles released today in a housing taskforce report that provides a directions blueprint for the state's housing needs.

West Perth-based Emergent Resources will pay up to $6.8 million to De Grey Mining to acquire the remaining 20 per cent interest it does not own in the Beyondie magnetite iron project in the Mid West.

Territory Resources has executed an agreement with its financiers, hedge book facility provider and major shareholder Noble Resources for the transfer of the company's bank debt to Noble.

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Australia's job market has continued to strengthen despite talk of an interest rate rise, with 14 per cent of companies expecting to increase employee numbers in the December quarter, according to the latest Dun & Bradstreet's Business Expectations survey

Apache Energy has awarded a $US170 million ($A195 million) contract to a Norwegian and Malaysian joint venture for works at its Devil Creek gas project offshore Western Australia.

Iron ore junior Australasian Resources is awaiting ministerial conditions to progress its Balmoral South iron ore development following the release of the Environmental Protection Authority's report on the project.

Fremantle-based minerals company Cleveland Mining has secured three mining projects in central Brazil which the newly-formed outfit hopes will deliver significant production levels following detailed geological investigations of the projects.

The state government and Woodside have signed an agreement that will accelerate key studies and planning for a liquefied natural gas hub for Browse Basin gas at James Price Point.

The state government has announced the appointment of Graham Thomson as the chair of the Regional Development Council for the next two years.

West Perth-based Northern Uranium has entered into an agreement to combine and advance its rock phosphate projects with Korean-based FSL Resources.

Perth-based Newland Resources has unveiled a "revitalisation" plan that includes three new major investors including Argonaut and Craig Burton, and a refocus on acquiring resource projects.

Heron Resources says the first tranche of a project joint venture deal with Ningbo Shanshan has been completed, with the Chinese entity injecting $2.7 million into the West Perth-based explorer.

Scooter maker Vmoto has consolidated ownership of its Chinese manufacturing facility, buying out the remaining minority stake it did not own for $US1.3 million ($A1.5 million) and revealing plans for a $3.5 million capital raising.

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Woodside Petroleum has committed to spend at least $120 million to explore for gas in its newest permit off the Pilbara coast.

The federal government has allocated $5.5 million to Western Australia for the restoration and conservation of some of the state's heritage places, including the main cell block within the Fremantle Prison.

Troy Resources chairman John Dow has fired the side's first shot at dissident shareholder, former chairman John Jones, who is trying to stop a dilutive capital raising.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has admitted the state government has no power to unwind a $160,000 pay increase to the chief executive of government superannuation fund GESB, Michele Dolin.

Perth-based Global Construction Services has teamed up with private company Giovenco Industrial Services to provide scaffolding and related services to Woodside's Pluto gas project.

Takeover target Polaris Metals says there could be another takeover offer in the wings as first bidder Minerals Resources lifts its interest to 22.3 per cent.

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