Latest Headlines

Belmont-based property developer Diploma Group has booked an interim net profit of $941,000, a dramatic fall from the previous corresponding period's profit of $4.8 million.

Nickel producer Western Areas has signed an offtake and $45 million financing agreement with BHP Billiton, with the funds earmarked for mine development and plant expansion.

The state government has appointed Perth-based Robinson Buildtech to complete the forward works as part of the $56 million redevelopment of the Kalgoorlie Hospital.

Western Australia's spike in unemployment to a two-year high has one business lobby group urging federal MPs to carefully consider the government's proposed Fair Work Bill ahead of next week's vote.

Sydney-based Jupiter Mines will relocate to Perth to be closer to its asset base while Geoff Wedlock has been appointed executive chairman.

Shadow Treasurer Ben Wyatt has warned that record growth in public spending is likely to continue after Treasurer Troy Buswell sought a 143 per cent increase in on last year's advance.

Greens and Chevron set to face off over Gorgon vision; Unions opt for jobs over pay; Sacked workers rejected pay cuts; Coal price cut hits export earnings; China hit raises fear of great recession

ATTEMPTS by the state's only grain technology company Intergrain to establish itself as a viable commercial entity after 13 months of privatisation are being resisted by peak farming bodies.

Long-term business strategies could become casualties of the downturn.

BUSINESSES nation-wide are waiting on the Liberal Party to formally announce its position on the federal government's industrial relations legislation, which moved to the Senate this week.

True business innovation relies more on hard work than a flash of genius (part one of a two-part feature).

THE Fremantle Football Club is confident of securing another three-year licensing agreement with the AFL to operate in South Africa after launching the league's most successful overseas football project.

A failure to invest in the good times may come back to bite ... again.

MORE than 750 people filled the front steps of Parliament House last month to witness one of Western Australia's most successful young mining entrepreneurs recognised in the WA Business News 40under40 Awards.

Peter Costello needs to polish up on his people skills if he’s to lead his party, and the country.

REBOUNDS in the retail and mining sectors have lead a 13 per cent increase in the Deloitte Western Australian Index for the month of February, rising $73 billion to $82.

NEW research by the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA suggests the federal government's first home owner grant (FHOG) needs to remain in place for 18 months in order to effectively stimulate the market for the long term.

WESTERN Australian exporters have received encouraging news about the economies of some of the state's key trading partners, in particular India and China, with strong signs of growth for the future.

THE awarding to Brookfield Multiplex of the $220 million stage one contract for the Fiona Stanley Hospital is noteworthy in a number of respects.

INDIA'S dairy market has opened its doors to Australian milk products for the first time since trade was halted in 2003.

There’s unlikely to be a return to record low CBD vacancy rates any time soon.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA with the support of the WA government's Department of Industry and Resources.

A decision on Fremantle’s outer harbour may be near after nearly a decade of delays.

THE long-awaited opening of the new Bishops See office building at 235 St Georges Terrace could set the tone for the move towards greener, more sustainable office buildings in Perth.

The financial crisis is a major challenge for governments as well as business.

DURING the past few months, gold has been about the only game in town where investors have been able to make money as stocks rise.

IT has been heralded as some sort of magic number - the 47 per cent debt-to-revenue ratio that is somehow tied to the state's financial future.

WITH the sixth anniversary of his chairmanship at Paladin Energy quickly approaching, Rick Crabb says it's a "good business to be in at the moment".

BRENDON Grylls has had a dilemma before.Back in September last year, he was sitting pretty, holding the balance of power and able to decide who formed a government.

THE acquisition by Geraldton-based Tanks2Go of rival tank hire business Clean Fuels Australia (CFA) last September marked a milestone for the business founded by managing director, Mark Westbrook.

THE founder of the Small Business Development Corporation has expressed dismay that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has named the SBDC as one of 50 agencies it wants either abolished or privatised in a step towards public sector reform.

THE Fishing Industry Women's Association of WA (FIWA) is poised to take a class action against the state for changes to the rules governing the rock lobster industry.