Latest Headlines

Engine technology group Orbital Corporation has entered a $2.4 million deal with a Chinese business to jointly develop a concept engine that will improve fuel economy.

Balcatta-based Videlli, formerly ERG, plans to delist from the Australian stock market to better focus on its Tcard project litigation in New South Wales.

Macquarie Group has posted a 52 per cent fall in annual profit - its first decline in 17 years - as chief executive Nicholas Moore takes a hefty 99 per cent pay cut.

China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group Co (CNMC) is set to gain control of Lynas Corporation, which holds a rare earths project in Western Australia, after striking a $505 million deal.

Banks ordered to pay $1.6bn in compensation; Macquarie set to raise $1.2bn; Alumina to tap investors for $1bn to ease debt risk; Turnbull sees red on Rudd China policy; Swan reveals $50bn budget revenue hit

Energy Minister Peter Collier has today officially opened the newly-commissioned Wesfarmers Energy liquid natural gas (LNG) plant in Kwinana.

Diversified mineral explorer Minemakers has inched closer to taking control of marine phosphate mining hopeful Bonaparte Diamonds Mines.

Japanese company INPEX has awarded AMEC Engineering the contract for the offshore front end engineering and design (FEED) for the Ichthys liquefied natural gas project in the Browse Basin.

A federal government report released today has recommended the establishment of a national offshore petroleum industry regulator to streamline the approval process for oil and gas projects.

Liquidators of Alan Bond's former Bell Group of companies have been awarded more than $1.5 billion, the largest payout ever awarded in Australia.

Chevron says it will work with the state government on appropriate conditions for its multi-billion dollar Gorgon gas project after the environmental watchdog reluctantly gave the go-ahead to expansion plans.

Gold miner Newcrest Mining has withdrawn from its joint venture with Leederville-based SmartTrans Holdings over the Mount Mackenzie gold joint venture in Queensland.

Woodside Petroleum says production at its Vincent oil project will resume production at the end of June after a fire at its processing facility earlier this month.

Australia's largest resource project, the Gorgon gas development, inched closer to proceeding after WA's Environmental Protection Authority gave it qualified support today. 

The steep economic slowdown reduced new infrastructure projects to a trickle in the first three months of the year, propped up only by a major federal government initiative, according to economic consultancy Access Economics.

Fortescue takes axe to $400m in costs; ANZ slumps on rising bad debt; Low rates boost WA housing market; Turnbull sets new ETS plan; Lower costs help nickel miners lift earnings

EARLY analysis of the property market for 2009 is showing signs of revival, as the effects of the increased first homeowners grant, lower interest rates and stamp duty concessions for first homebuyers start filtering through.

THE recent launch of the Small Bar Association of WA is another signal of the big changes taking place in Perth's hospitality industry.

DESPITE trade volumes falling at Fremantle Port in recent months, complaints about delays at the wharf by members of the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia (CBFCA) suggest efficiency has not improved as expected.

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

THE small business sector is missing out on the benefits of lower interest rates, with higher risk margins on business loans outweighing the fall in rates, new research has found.

THE first stage of the transition of Fremantle storage facility Fort Knox into warehouse apartments is taking shape, with major upgrades of the facility recently finalised.

THE tenure of chief executives in Western Australia is likely to get a lot shorter if recent trends keep up, with a flurry of local firms making changes at the top.

THE rural townsite of Gidgegannup to the north east of Perth is perched for significant expansion if the master plan from property developer, Port Bouvard, lodged last week with the City of Swan and the Western Australian Planning Commission, receives app

BUSINESS owners have been urged to understand their legal obligations when making staff redundant.

AGGRESSIVE and often controversial managed investment scheme (MIS) operator and latterly, corporate agriculture company, Timbercorp, has succumbed to the weight of its ever-increasing mountain of debt.

THE current condition and future use of the rural rail system across Western Australia as part of the state's grain freight network continues to generate debate, as stakeholders seek a commitment from the government to support the ageing infrastructure.

MADDINGTON-BASED Coote Industrial and associated company Greentrains have negotiated related fund raising deals worth $8 million with Victorian Caterpillar dealer Dale Elphinstone.

Mark Pownall reports on Lyle Palmer's vision to place WA at the forefront of medical research.

WITHOUT an information technology background, husband-and-wife team Ian and Vanessa Furlong had a major problem to overcome early on in the establishment of their online small business, Trade Chaser.

PROFESSOR Lyle Palmer's Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiology has been restructured to come directly under the control of the University of Western Australia, leaving the umbrella of the WA Institute of Medical Research.

MOST theatre companies have a simple approach to their business - get bums on seats.