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THE All Ordinaries is at levels approaching 3,500 and Colin Barnett is premier of Western Australia.

I THINK it was Keith Suter who compared the global financial crisis to a 'big weekend' - too much to drink on Saturday, hangover on Sunday, cleansed and ready for work on Monday, the social commentator told a recent Technology and Industry Advisory Counci

Four years after winning a boardroom stoush, St Barbara chief executive and managing director Eduard Eshuys has tendered his resignation with former Newcrest Mining executive Tim Lehany to take over.

The state opposition is calling on the government to release the royalties for regions formula after some of the needier regions, such as Halls Creek, were allocated less money.

The Australian stock market closed slightly higher today but investors ignored a big lead from United States markets, instead taking an axe to some major banks.

Cape Lambert executive chairman Tony Sage has bought a 6 per cent stake in mining minnow Jackson Minerals for $150,000 cash.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia had terminated a share placement agreement with Merrill Lynch following confusion over its $2 billion capital raising launched last night.

Amid a backdrop of falling base metal prices, Northbridge-based Impact Minerals says it will focus on its Nowthunna uranium joint venture in Western Australia following the state government's decision to lift the uranium mining ban.

Perth-based Indo Mines has secured a $5 million financing facility with Anglo Pacific Group for its $860 million Indonesian project.

Shares in Mount Gibson Iron have jumped 40 per cent on the government's approval for two Chinese companies to subscribe and underwrite a $162.5 million capital raising.

The state government will ask the private sector to submit proposals for the expansion of Exmouth Boat Habour, which is increasingly catering for super-yachts and ideally placed to service the oil and gas industry.

Redbank Mines has listened to the advice of its largest shareholder, Michael Kiernan, with the spinout of its Fiji project into a separate, dedicated gold vehicle.

Subiaco-based Rox Resources has entered into an agreement with a Chinese minerals company for the majority sale of its Myrtle zinc-lead project for $12.5 million cash.

The Australian sharemarket extended the morning's positive gains at noon, buoyed by gains in the materials sector.

Macmahon Holdings has secured a $40 million contract to construction the new Bunbury port access road, with work to start early next year.

Banks agree to extend Centro's $5bn debt; CBA seeks $2bn in late dash for cash; Industry revolt on green plan; Telstra hit again; Burrup counts the cost as gas supply comes back on stream

US stocks soared on Tuesday as investors cheered the Federal Reserve decision to cut its key rate to near zero and its pledge of more steps to revive economic activity.

The Department of Treasury and Finance is set to take on more responsibilities as the Department of Housing and Works joins the list of government agencies to be split.

Cape Lambert Iron Ore says any discussion to acquire more assets remain confidentional and incomplete as reports reveal the company has been in talks over OZ Minerals and CopperCo's assets.

Brisbane-based Intrepid Mines is set to benefit from a full exposure to the gold price as it closes its hedge book for its Paulsens gold mine in Western Australia.

Subiaco-based Red Emperor Resources plans to raise $25 million early next year as it enters into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in a Russian project for nearly $14 million.

The state government will inject an extra $400 million over the next four years into the royalties for regions scheme as the policy that tipped Premier Colin Barnett into power is officially launched today.

Western Australian borrowers are going back to basics when choosing a loan to finance property, with basic variable loans surging 2 percentage points to 36 per cent and variable loans representing 80 per cent of all loan approvals.

Western Australian dwelling commencements has slumped 20 per cent in the September quarter, nearly double that of the Australian trend.

Fortescue Metals Group says it is reviewing the legal status of its shipping contracts as it reveals today that disputes have arisen from a decision to suspend two-thirds of its long-term ship charter contracts.

Resources minnow Legend Mining has bought a 3 per cent slice in nickel miner Independence Group for nearly $5 million.

Gas giants win millions in carbon scheme compo; Telstra barred from broadband; Investors on edge as Centro talks drag on; Mine exports slashed by $30bn; Property slump is building

Perth-based stockbroker Euroz faces another Opes Prime legal action from a client which has launched a $3.3 million law suit.

The federal government's white paper on emissions targets has received mixed responses from lobby groups and companies across the country, while one of the loudest critics of the scheme keeps relatively quiet.

West Perth-based Red Hill Iron says it will review its legal options over its participation rights to share in port and rail infrastructure of the West Pilbara iron ore project, spearheaded by Aquila Resources.

Western Australia's economy is expected to slow by almost 40 per cent in 2008/09 and nearly 50 per cent the following financial year as the fallout from the global financial crisis impacts the state and demand for resources commodities wanes.

Mining and market groups have called the federal government to fast track the implementation of its promised investment incentive scheme that is expected to encourage mineral exploration.