Latest Headlines

Wesfarmers flayed despite big profit; Rio resists playing the Hu card; Future Fund stake in Telstra on the block; Union at war over penalties; Super funds face $2bn cut in fees

Nedlands-based Lions Eye Institute founding director, Professor Ian Constable, has been awarded a gold medal by the Australian Institute of Company Directors for his outstanding achievements in the promotion of corporate governance in community-based orga

Rejuvenated engineering contractor Clough is looking to the flood of emerging LNG developments and potential consolidation of niche local service providers as the platform for continued growth over the coming years.

Australia's economic resilience in the face the global downturn has resulted in the nation being ranked in the world's top five safest countries in which to invest, a recent survey assessing economic, commercial, external and political risk has found.

The CBD has welcomed the latest retail addition to the Hay Street Mall with the opening of the $400 million enex100, which is also part of a broader mixed-use asset which incorporates a 24-level office tower housing over 2,000 people.

A recent survey of land sales has recorded the most lots sold in one week since May 2008.

Santos's half year profits have fallen by 66 per cent in the year ending June 30 due to lower international crude oil, condensate and LPG prices.

Straits Resources is poised to sell two of its Pilbara base metal projects to West Leederville-based mineral exploration company, Venturex Resources in return for a substantial shareholding as part of a deal worth up to $11 million.

National property developer Peet has announced strong results in its year end profit statement, with an operating profit after tax of $31.2 million, excluding revaluation of assets.

The state's only listed financial planning firm, Plan B Group Holdings, suffered a tough year as falling equity markets eroded profits right across the financial services sector.

Nickel miner Mincor Resources has recovered from a big first-half loss to post a modest profit in the second half of the finacial year but it was not enough to save the group from an annual loss of $16 million.

Directors of Polaris Metals have recommended its shareholders accept an off-market takeover bid worth up to $67 million from mining services outfit, Mineral Resources, subject to an independent expert assessment and in the absence of a superior offer.

Gold producer, Avoca Resources managed to raise its stake in takeover target Dioro Exploration to more than 44 per cent by the close of business yesterday, ending the four-month acquisition proposal.

Engineering and construction company Clough has posted a rise in revenue and profit from continuing operations, which it said puts the group in a position to pay a higher dividend.

Garrett last Gorgon bar; Qantas to jettison $1.5bn in costs; State tax in reform mix, says Henry; Write-downs cruel Iluka result as zircon sales fall; Major store deals 'real barrier to competition'

WESTERN Australia is poised to become a global competitor in the world of supercomputing, which could assist the state in securing the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project and benefit various other astronomy industries.

AS belts tighten across the board and budgets are intensely scrutinised, early stage company executives are finding it harder to attain the necessary capital to progress their projects.

THE defunct Riverside Pier Hotel project at Barrack Square is to be sold within three months, as the corporate regulator circles the company that tipped investors into the failed development.

CURRENCY fluctuations during the past 13 months have made tough economic times a nd difficult trading conditions even more so, but experts suggest there are ways to combat the turbulence.

Western Australia can’t wait for regional growth to happen organically, according to Rio Tinto’s Sam Walsh.

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

NATIONAL drive-through coffee franchise Muzz Buzz has partnered with Perth-based Gull Petroleum to launch the independent fuel retailer's first unmanned petrol station in Western Australia.

OLDER office buildings in the Perth CBD are likely to require a major overhaul, as rising vacancies and new office blocks threaten their ability to maintain and attract tenants.

THE 83-year-old Muresk agricultural training school is expected to close within two years, potentially ending an important chapter in the history of Western Australia's regional education.

WESTERN Australia's resources industry is demanding urgent implementation of measures to overhaul the state's failing approvals processes following a damning review commissioned by the state government.

THE real estate industry was an early engager of the burgeoning online sector when readership figures for traditional print mediums began to decline.

FRENCH energy giant GDF SUEZ, formerly Gaz de France, is expected to beef up its presence in Perth following a $US370 million-plus deal with Santos to develop floating LNG facilities off the state's far north coast.

A RECENT State Administrative Tribunal decision that hinged on the definition of a retail shop could have major implications for business owners.

THE proponent of Australia's biggest new coal-fired power plant believes the two-stage 330-kilovolt upgrade of the Perth-Geraldton transmission line has left the door open to competition among aspiring power proponents in the Mid West.

THREE directors from global education services provider Navitas have pocketed a combined $18.6 million from the sale of more than 6 million shares following the release last week of another strong profit.

PERTH students seeking commerce skills to engage with Chinese business have a new avenue open to them with the launch of a program at Murdoch Business School.

WESFARMERS Energy has recently signed a major two-year sponsorship agreement with the Asthma Foundation of WA.