Latest Headlines

Minemakers says it will move to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares it does not own in Bonaparte Diamond Mines after reaching a 94.32 per cent shareholding through its all-scrip takeover offer.

Christmas Island-Phosphate Resources would commit an estimated $50 million and set aside significantly more space as so-called green spots in order to gain approval to expand its operations.

Stockbroking firm Tricom Equities has been slapped with a record $1.35 million fine for "blatant and unmistakable" market manipulation spanning three years.

The median house price in Perth has risen by 3.5 per cent, or $15,000, in the June quarter as more owners traded up to more expensive homes while the rental market's vacancy rate is now higher than normal, new data shows.

Property developer Finbar Group says it anticipates its 2009 financial year profit to reach a record $19 million, a 55 per cent jump on the previous year.

Iron ore hopeful Australasian Resources says it is still in negotiations with its partner Shougang over the Susan Palmer project agreement.

Most Western Australians believe the local economy will strengthen in the coming year, according to an inaugural survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and Curtin University.

The company in charge of the billion-dollar Oakajee deepwater port and rail network has appointed WorleyParsons to conduct the budget and engineering components of the $100 million bankable feasibility study.

Gold miner St Barbara has confirmed it will stop open pit mining work at its Southern Cross mine in Western Australia by the end of the month as it looks at options to fund the redemption of $77 million of convertible notes.

China claims proof on Rio 'spy'; ANZ roasted on almonds; Firepower boss faces criminal charges; Stokes No 2 after fresh Packer raid; Thiess wins second big Gorgon deal

Xstrata's multi-billion dollar takeover bid for Anglo American could be over after leading institutional shareholders have reportedly turned down the nil-premium merger.

West Perth-based oil and gas explorer GB Energy has launched legal action against wave energy developer Protean Power and two of its directors over an earn in agreement.

West Perth-based Range Resources will go ahead with plans to raise $2.5 million which will be used to fund a new deal with a UK company over two oil and gas blocks in Georgia.

Canada's Mega Uranium says it is on schedule to bring the Lake Maitland uranium joint venture online in 2011 as it upgrades the project's resource.

The state's unemployment rate has climbed to a seasonally adjusted 5.1 per cent in June from an upwardly revised 5 per cent recorded the previous month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today.

Chinese concede ore price cut; IMF raises its world forecast; Stokes linked to Packer raid; New pain for ANZ to top $300m; Canadian slap on wrist for Qantas

A CITY-BASED accountant will soon swap his calculator for a steering wheel and launch a four-wheel drive assault on an unsuspecting outback.

FOR many wine drinkers, the word chianti conjures up images of red and white checked tablecloths, men (and often women) with an abundance of chest hair, and those squat, cane-wrapped bottles of brick-red wine more suited to stripping paint than accompanyi

WESTERN Australia's business community has given cautious approval to initiatives proposed at last week's Council of Australian Government (Coag) meeting, aimed at streamlining the approvals process for taxpayer-assisted major infrastructure developments.

ADVANCED material and technology developer QuickStep Holdings plans to boost its presence in the global aerospace and defence markets with the commercialisation of its cutting-edge carbon fibre composite technologies.

THE first ripples of a dramatic restructure of energy giant Shell's global business have reached Perth as the company seeks to slash its cost base, stay competitive and speed up its project development decision-making.

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

RESEARCH undertaken at Curtin University has opened the door to potentially massive cost savings for oil and gas explorers around the globe.

WESTERN Australia's construction sector has been boosted with the awarding of $342 million in contracts to builders across the state as part of the federal government's infrastructure funding program.

UP to 100,000 state government employees will continue to have access to a major superannuation tax break, as the rest of the population adheres to strict new laws.

The secret to successfully managing an expanding privately owned business is to act like it's public, according to John Georgiou.

TWO Perth financial planning firms are part of a group of 12 adviser groups nationwide that are now trading under the banner Shadforth Financial Group, and will seek a unified listing when market conditions improve.

THE Residential Development Council of Australia has forecast the need for 17,000 homes per year for the next five years, warning of further house price rises if that demand was not met.

PERTH accountancy firms are bulking up their businesses, in spite of the market woes, as a handful of new partners enjoy their first week sharing in the risks and rewards of their chosen company.

COPPER and zinc miner Kagara will add nickel to its base metals production portfolio with its Lounge Lizard project set to produce first nickel within the next couple of months.

WESTERN Australia's engineering services sector is looking to the next 12 months with renewed confidence amid signs the resources sector is on the rebound.

THE first $1 million is always the hardest to earn, or so the saying goes.