Latest Headlines

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.

It's the recession we will have - PM; Miners seek direct line to Barnett; Rudd to lobby for Beijing; Qantas chief to slash jobs in executive shake-up; AIG anger to hit credit plan

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.

The chairman of embattled nickel miner Albidon has warned the company may have to call in administrators on Monday if approval for a much needed funding deal does not come through.

Business confidence in Western Australia has dropped to a record low with almost 75 per cent of firms believing economic conditions will deteriorate further in the next year, a new survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has found.

Carnegie Corporation has received approval from the Victorian government to develop three pilot wave energy projects on the state's coast.

Premier Colin Barnett says he is prepared to commit up to $678 million towards the $4 billion Oakajee port and rail development if the federal government does not provide funding from its Infrastructure Australia fund.

Chevron will become the first user of a $35 million service and supply base at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson following state approval for the project.

Shares in Mirabela Nickel have climbed higher after the company announced it has completed a $140 million capital raising in Canada with funds to be applied to its Brazil project and repayment of debt.

One of the country's largest employer groups says the Senate's change to the small business threshold to 20 is both reasonable and necessary and should be accepted by the government.

A review into a $645 million Chinese investment into Fortescue Metals Group has been extended by the Foreign Investment Review Board.

WA-based the Feral Brewing Company last night won five trophies at the Australian International Beer Awards, racking up half of the 10 trophies won by the nation at the world's second largest international beer competition.

Budget cuts not possible - Buswell; Premier to sign-off on port plans for WA; IMF warns slowdown to worsen; BHP nets $4.8bn in US bond market; Telstra blocking rivals - ACCC

The Terry Streeter-backed Fox Resources has launched a $6 million all-scrip takeover of junior explorer Hannans Reward to increase its spread of iron ore and nickel assets in Western Australia.

A state government report has proposed two options for upgrading Barbagallo Raceway, which Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron says offers a better strategic direction for WA motorsport than a street circuit.

The state government is expected to formally approve the $3.5 billion Oakajee port and rail project that is vital to mining developments in the Mid West region.

Junior iron ore producer Atlas Iron has signed the last of its available iron ore into a long-term offtake agreement with an unidentified Chinese steel mill.

Mirabela Nickel has cleared one hurdle in its bid to raise some much needed funds, with a planned $182 million capital raising receiving shareholder approval today.

The Subiaco Redevelopment Authority is free to develop the north-eastern corner of Subi Centro into a mixed use residentital and commercial space following approval from Planning Minister John Day.

The state's meatworkers union has recommended Harvey Beef employees reject the same collective agreement that is again being offered by the company today.

Shares in Aurox Resources have jumped as much as 56 per cent today as the company amends its convertible notes terms for an early cash injection of up to $47 million and modifies its port agreement.

$1.6bn hole in budget as alcopops tax fails; World Bank looks to China to counter global gloom; ASIC targets banks over $1bn Storm collapse; Directors told to stand up to executives in pay talks; Nation building funding crisis

HAVING led Perth marketing group Core Marketing for a number of years, it seems somewhat ironic that Yvonne Renshaw doesn't signpost her new venture, Core Luxury Retreat, in Mundaring.

State and federal governments can work together on labour market policy.

AFTER a busy two years building a substantial research team and getting through a series of early trials, the start-up biotechnology business founded by Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall, Ondek, is seeking around $10 million to fund the next phase of its deve

IN his quest to create a unique product, Darlington Estate winemaker Menno Bakkers' philosophy makes good business sense - work with the characteristics of the region.

In the second of a two-part series, we analyse the value of organic business growth.

FRUSTRATION over the prohibitive barriers to tourist accommodation development has intensified, after news the first development site released under the Landbank program, aimed at fast-tracking accommodation developments, had stalled.

THE state's caravan industry is preparing for its biggest trade event of the year, with signs the changing demographics of the caravan and camper trailer market could prop up sales.