Latest Headlines

Nickel company Australian Mines has negotiated a capital raising deal with Patersons Securities which will pave the way for the stock to be relisted after trading was halted six months ago.

The WA Local Government Association has urged its members to press ahead with reform plans, after the state government said it would not legislate to force mergers of local councils.

Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr has officially launched a new centre to give Western Australia's manufacturing companies practical help in improving day to day business.

Former Woodside Petroleum executive Erica Smyth will take over the chairmanship of uranium developer Toro Energy, after the resignation of founding chairman Dr Ian Gould.

The $1.8 million Karara iron ore project has joined with Central West TAFE in Geraldton to launch a partnership for education, vocational training and skills development to bring new employment opportunities to the region.

Westpac has pipped BankWest as the bank having the most satisfied customers in Western Australia, a survey by financial ratings service Canstar Cannex has found.

Tolhurst Group has unveiled that its stockbroking business will be sold for some $2 million to Patersons Securities, in what is a dramatic fall on the value of the deal after it was revealed earlier this year.

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Dominion Mining chairman Peter Joseph has sold over $8 million worth of shares, reducing his stake in the gold miner by 14 per cent.

The state education department says it will not meet its 3 per cent budget cuts amid an influx of new students, teacher shortages and a forecast deficit of $50 million.

The state opposition has urged the government to get its priorities right after Premier Colin Barnett admitted to axing the $1.3 billion Pilbara power project in favour of the $4 billion Oakajee port and rail development.

Rio Tinto iron ore chief Sam Walsh says the miner is focused on securing regulatory approval for its $US19.5 billion Chinalco deal while a prominent analyst has tipped iron ore prices to fall 50 per cent.

The state government expects to save some $1 million each year by merging the State Supply Commission into the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Deloitte has urged the federal government to adopt recent changes to US business policies that could throw a cash lifeline to struggling businesses during the current economic climate.

The Australian arm of UK group Cape has been awarded a $61 million contract by Woodside Petroleum to supply scaffolding services during construction of the Pluto liquefied natural gas project.

Fox Resources says it has received pre-bid acceptance commitments of nearly 19 per cent, several days after proposing a takeover bid for junior Hannans Reward.

Albidon shares have been placed in a trading halt as it scrambles to secure final funding approval from senior lenders and unsecured creditors or be placed in voluntary administration.

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Western Areas chairman Terry Streeter will miss the official opening of the company's concentrator tomorrow as an 18-day trial with unrelated business Western Areas Exploration begins.

The state opposition has called the plan for local council amalgamations a "complete farce" after Premier Colin Barnett said the Peppermint Grove council should be exempt.

Nearly four months after being voted out of Atlas Iron, former chairman David Nixon has been appointed to the board of Brockman Resources as a non-executive director.

Subiaco-based IMX Resources has pocketed $6 million after selling its Four Mile royalty to Anglo Pacific Group.

Perth-based Berkeley Resources plans to raise $10 million with half of the funds to come from AIM-listed company Polo Resources.

The Brand Agency has been named advertising agency of the year, capping off a jam packed 2008 where more than $18 million of business was secured.

Shares in Uranium Equities have jumped on a $25 million deal with an unidentified producer over its uranium extraction technology.

Global Construction Services has raised an additional $630,400 through its share placement and expects to receive a tax refund of $3.15 million after taking advantage of tax consolidation legislation.

Verve Energy has accused the North West Shelf joint venture of "unconscionable conduct" after the partners allegedly hiked up gas prices following the Varanus Island explosion last year.

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Western Areas chairman Terry Streeter has sold more than 2 million shares in the nickel miner, generating proceeds of over $7 million.

The directors of South Perth-based Pure Energy Resources have urged shareholders to accept BG Group's cash offer before the takeover closes on Monday.

West Perth-based Otto Energy plans to raise $35 million with the majority underwritten by Euroz Securities and funds to be applied to the repayment of shareholder and director loans.

Paladin Energy has agreed to invest some $500,000 into junior explorer NGM Resources, which it says will kick-start its previous work on its Niger uranium projects.