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ASIC targets conflicts and disclosure; Vineyards, jobs go in Constellation revamp; Carpenter in Olympic poll vault; Big towers off market as offers fall short; Minara kills dividend as nickel dives

Western Australia will head to the polls on September 6 after Premier Alan Carpenter called a snap election, drawing surprise from the state opposition and predictions it will be a close-fought race.

Market volatility is likely to impact Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust's earnings in the 2009 financial year as it reported a $39.3 million fall in the fair value of investment property portfolio, in contrast to a $167.9 million rise the previous year.

A hearing between Murchison Metals Ltd and Chameleon Mining NL is likely to be held early next year as the deadline for the second tranche of security for costs edges closer.

West Perth-based Hawk Resources Ltd will start trading as New Standard Energy Ltd tomorrow after finalising the acquisition of oil and gas assets in the Canning Basin.

The transfer of the livestock centre from Midland to Muchea is estimated to deliver a $467 million economic benefit to the state over 20 years as Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance calls for tenders.

Ausdrill Ltd has recommended shareholders who have accepted Macmahon Holdings Ltd takeover offer to withdraw their acceptance.

Cutbacks and asset sell-offs at the Houghton and Goundrey wine operations have been announced by US-based owner Constellation Brands as part of major changes at its Australian operations.

Queensland government owned power generator Stanwell Corporation Ltd has taken a 19.6 per cent stake in Blue Energy Ltd after buying a parcel of shares from CVC Ltd for nearly $35 million.

West Perth-based Straits Resources Ltd subsidiary, Straits Asia Resources Ltd, has posted a 264 per cent jump in net profit for the first half of 2008.

Premier Alan Carpenter is expected to call an election for September 6, a day after Colin Barnett was elected to lead the state Liberal Party.

The jobless rate in Western Australia has decreased to a seasonally adjusted 3.1 per cent in July while the national rate remained unchanged at 4.3 per cent.

West Perth-based Nkwe Platinum has signed exclusive option agreements valued at nearly $A14 million with global mining company Xstrata and Leederville-based International Goldfields Ltd over several African projects.

Ken Court left behind his chance to add large-scale steelmaking to Western Australia's repertoire in the late 1990s, but the enthusiasm for the Mid West story is still evident as he mulls over his attempt to create a value-adding resources empire.

Perth-based mining explorer and developer Azure Minerals Ltd has found a wealth of opportunities in Mexico, currently holding 22 base and precious metals mining projects in the region.

FORMER Alinta Ltd senior executive Stephen Pearce has been appointed managing director of contractor Southern Cross Electrical Engineering Ltd.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resour

PearlStreet Ltd managing director Anthony Wooles has increased his interest in the company by buying 10 million shares valued at $3.3 million through a placement to director and allotment of shortfall

More than 1,500 medical and scientific researchers are expected to be working in the Nedlands research precinct following completion of a $360 million investment program.

Increased building activity in Perth's suburbs will create more than 400,000 square metres of new office space over the coming years, as more tenants are pushed out of the traditional CBD and West Perth markets by record low vacancy rates.

THE office vacancy rate in Perth’s CBD has hit another record low, falling to 0.3 per cent over the past six months, while West Perth is officially a full house, according to figures released by the P

Business has asked for temporary tax relief and sought a bigger role for the Small Business Development Corporation as the key elements of an assistance package in the wake of the Varanus Island gas crisis.

Diploma Properties has joined the ranks of WA developers capitalising on the demand for apartments along Rockingham's waterfront, with plans to launch a new project later this year.

CITY Beach-based property developer Mount Lawley Pty Ltd has lost a Supreme Court appeal to revalue its 309-hectare site in Ellenbrook.

Many Western Australians, myself included, consider Ralph Sarich a household name, so I was surprised last week to discover that many people in Perth have little or no awareness of how he built his $1 billion fortune.

A wave of new office projects in West Perth and the western end of the city will provide some much-needed supply to the area, which has the tightest office market in the country and a vacancy rate of zero, according to the Property Council of Australia (WA)'s office market report.

PROPERTY developer Marchmont has placed its Bushmead Road industrial site in Hazelmere on the market.

An initiative that will provide discounted mentoring and training services to Western Australian small business owners is due to be launched by state Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan later this month.

In halls of power around the world, some very worried politicians and public servants are beginning to realise that peak oil production is real and it is happening right now.

LAST week’s decision by smallgoods manufacturer Don KRC to close its Spearwood operations next year has paved the way for a redevelopment of the site and about 60 surrounding properties.

The attributes of a good leader include the ability to plan for the long term and put in place a succession plan.

The federal government's Productivity Commission has released its evaluation of the financial performance of 86 government trading enterprises across Australia.