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Babcock & Brown Power, owner of Alinta's retail assets, will realise $125 million from the release of an "onerous" contract but has revised down its operational earnings from $310 million to $270 million.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has again defended the government's decision to not release the State Infrastructure Strategy, saying its framewok needs to be revisited.

WA's peak energy user group, DomGas Alliance, says the federal government's white paper into energy security is "flawed" as it focuses on maximising exports rather than domestic energy use.

BHP Billiton is ramping up its Pilbara iron ore expansion efforts with Ausco Modular today securing a $36 million contract to install a 1,200-bed village and central facilities in Yandi.

Finnish global consulting and engineering group Pöyry Energy has acquired local oil and gas engineering services company Aquarius International Consultants.

Melbourne-based SKILLED Group, as part of a joint venture, has won a $350 million, three-year marine vessel and labour supply contract for Chevron's Gorgon gas project.

The saga between Sirtex Medical and Perth scientist Bruce Gray has taken another turn with the state's Supreme Court finding in favour of the company's former chairman, who is now free to carry on with his business.

The high end of Perth's property market has taken a battering from the global slowdown with seven metropolitan suburbs dropping out of the $1 million club, a new survey has found.

Exoma Energy shares have skyrocketed as much as 240 per cent after the Nedlands-based company signed a conditional deal to acquire the Galilee gas project in Queensland.

Gold hopeful Resolute Mining has raised $25 million through a share placement, with funds to be used for the commissioning of the Syama gold mine in Mali.

Engineering company Monadelphous has secured contracts valued at $100 million with the world's largest miners, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Two weeks after Gage Roads Brewing Co cancelled its distribution deal, the brewer has agreed to supply beer to major retailer Woolworths, which will take a 25 per cent interest in the company.

Western Australia has retained its AAA credit rating after Standard and Poor's confirmed yesterday that the Barnett government's move to reprioritise some of its capital projects and revise its operating expenditure, meant that the state's financial posit

$750 power bill rise; Payroll rebate in WA to 'save jobs'; Leighton earnings slide; Rio plunges on rights talk; Turnbull blows smoke at bluff

Another prominent resource sector executive has joined the Black Swan Theatre Company board with Alcoa Australia managing director Alan Cransberg joining chairman Sam Walsh.

The government has committed to a $23.8 billion capital works program over the next four years - an increase on the $18.5 billion spent over the past four years - with a record $8.3 billion to be spent in 2009-10.

Major infrastructure projects Oakajee port and the Northbridge link have been left out of this year's state budget, despite receiving federal budget allocations this week.

The state budget will deliver $123 million tax relief, mainly in payroll and land tax, as part of measures to support business and jobs.

Western Australia's Liberal government has handed down its first budget, delivering a $647 million surplus but warning the state will be in deficit by 2012.

An $80 million federal budget allocation to boost the state's chances of hosting the $2.5 billion Square Kilometre Array project has raised questions from the existing project's headquarters.

West Perth-based Liquefied Natural Gas has raised more than $10 million which will be used in the ongoing development of its Fisherman's Landing gas project in Queensland.

State regional air carrier Skywest Airlines is reportedly considering re-listing on the Australian stock market, nearly three years after it was taken over by Singapore-based Advent Air.

Nickel miner Western Areas is expecting $100 million to come its way shortly after the company raised over $35 million through a slightly discounted share placement.

Companies seek capital as confidence buoys market; BG wins first big Chinese gas deal; WA adjusts its numbers; Chinalco deal under cloud; Changes sap super - analysts

PREMIER Colin Barnett has described the loss of the giant Ichthys gas project to Darwin as an embarrassment for Western Australia, yet under recent contracts at least some work is flowing to engineers and other businesses in the west.

SOIL carbon has been attracting growing interest in the fight against climate change due to its potential for carbon sequestration and as a means of improving soil health.

Costarella Design was a flop as a listed company but Auerelio Costarella remains positive.

THE renewable energy sector has welcomed the government's commitment to an expanded national renewable energy target, saying the emissions trading scheme alone won't encourage renewable energy investment.

THE battle to deregulate wheat exports may have been won but the war over monopolies in the sector continues.

RESPONSIBLE for more than half of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, the energy sector will be one of the biggest industries affected by the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

AN industry body responsible for the promotion of Western Australia's $840 million international education sector is expected to secure ongoing funding from the state government this week.

DESPITE the official start of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme being two years away, trading on the unofficial carbon market is already under way.