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PLANNING for the unexpected is a critical task that many businesses fail to complete or in some cases even start.

A NEW association representing not-for-profit employers in the non-government sector has been given approval by the state's Industrial Relations Commission to become a registered employer organisation.

A gourmet deli in Subiaco with a winning formula for success is expanding its business.

Bill Hassell is passionate about issues that matter to him, particularly when governance is concerned.

INVESTORS in several failed Great Southern schemes are facing the double indignity of losing control of their assets and receiving a hefty tax bill.

AS a pack of reporters thrust their dictaphones in front of Troy Buswell late last week, the treasurer remarked that it reminded him of something other than a press conference.

Claremont-based explorer Australia Minerals and Mining Group has added momentum to the re-emergence of companies seeking to list on the ASX, recently lodging its prospectus for a $7.5 million initial public offer.

Shares in Perth-based United Minerals Corporation have been placed in a trading halt pending an announcement over a potential change of control.

Demand for home loans in Western Australia has fallen 4.5 per cent in August as first home buyers retreat from the market, new figures show.

The corporate watchdog says it will start civil proceedings against a Perth financial advisory firm after clients invested $14 million into the failed Westpoint Group.

Nedlands-based explorer Integra Mining has confirmed it has raised $40 million, which will partly be used for the development of its Randalls gold project in the Goldfields.

Perth-based Amcom Telecommunications will receive a $21 million boost after revealing plans to clean up its capital structure.

IT services provider Empired will build on its presence in Victoria after securing a $3 million contract with the state government's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for infrastructure outsourcing services.

Gold exploration outfit Chalice Gold Mines has reported the death of one its employees and two contractors in a shooting incident near its gold project in Eritrea.

Lithium producer Galaxy Resources gained as much as 16 per cent in trading this morning after announcing the completion of a $65 million institutional capital raising to be used on its Mt Cattlin mine at Ravensthorpe and a Chinese lithium project.

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.

Budget cuts cost 471 jobs at RPH; Perth high on list of powerful; Rates move sends wrong sign; Extra malt elevates GrainCorp; ConsMin misled exchange on Mindy Mindy, tribunal told

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.

High stakes in iiNet piracy court battle; Broker demand puts Myer float on track; Telstra plan under fire; Job ads jump shortens chance of rate increase; Vmoto corners rest of China factory stake

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.