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Mirabela Nickel will need to raise less equity after securing a further $US40 million towards its $US150 million debt facility.

Rebounds in the retail and mining sectors have lead a 13 per cent increase in the Deloitte WA Index for the month of February, with the index up from $73 billion to $82.5 billion.

Tycoon pulls plug on $1.5bn solar project; China risk to iron ore royalties; Labor ready to deal on IR reforms; Lloyds bank gets second bailout; D-day for Jupiter as Gilbertson orbits

The viability of the state's beef processing industry is in doubt after a breakdown in talks between troubled red meat exporter, Harvey Beef, and its employees.

A proposal by the Greens political party to ban liquor industry sponsorship of local not-for-profit sporting and social clubs has been called "un-Australian" and completely unfounded.

Paladin Energy chairman Rick Crabb has sold shares in the company valued at just over $1.4 million to improve his "personal balance sheet".

The federal government's bid for the world-class Square Kilometre Array telescope to be located in the Mid West has changed in approach from competitive to collaborative.

The company behind a planned $3.5 billion urea plant near Collie hopes to secure financing from banks by early next year as it reveals a 25-year deal with coal supplier Griffin.

Some 17 Western Australian listed companies, ranging from carbon sequestrian firms to beer manufacturers, have been added to the All Ordinaries list as Standard & Poor's rebalances Australian stock indices.

Woodside Petroleum has reportedly signed an agreement with state-owned Korea Gas Corporation to invest in three exploration permits in the Browse Basin.

Australia's economic climate may have levelled off, with the first encouraging signs emerging from the small business sector, according to the Sensis Business Index released yesterday.

China billions set to benefit WA economy; Rio shareholders still unhappy with deal; Axe to fall at NAB; Short-selling ban 'in the national interest'; Agencies in spotlight as banks push for ratings reform

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has revealed that the state government is seeking federal funding for transport projects in Perth and Port Hedland costing a total of $1.3 billion.

Mirabela Nickel says that uncertainty over a planned $US133 million equity capital raising has cast significant doubt over its ability to continue operating.

South Hedland is set for a revamp after the government announced it has allocated $23 million from the royalties for regions fund for a redevelopment plan.

Perilya has today appointed a new chairman after Chinese company Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Co took control of the miner a month ago.

The state government expects to save over $1 million after it placed a cap on the value of homes for the first home owners grant which will leave 2 per cent of buyers ineligible for an assistance package.

The current backlog of ships has prompted grains handler CBH Group to implement a temporary system that will see grain marketers bid for shipping slots to export grain.

A new expert group has been established by the state government to guide the future expansion of Fremantle Port.

Nomad Building Solutions has secured contracts worth nearly $30 million from Woodside Petroleum for the construction of two housing lots in the Pilbara, which will house workers for the Pluto liquefied natural gas project.

Building approvals in Western Australia have nearly halved over the past year as the latest January figures solidifies the property slump in the state.

The turn in global markets has prompted Reindeer gas project owners Apache Energy and Santos to re-tender contracts, with Clough today awarded a substantially smaller contract compared to the $460 million deals it won last year.

Fertiliser plant set to create 1,500 jobs; Rio still open to iron ore merger; Investors face $7bn cut; ASIC to rule on short-selling; Weaker shares close to testing 3,000 level

WESTERN Australia's big private businesses hold surprisingly uniform views on most subjects, and that extends to the federal government's $52 billion in extra spending via two stimulus packages.

Investing in 2009 will be counterintuitive – something that does not happen in the way you would expect it to.

AS Australia's oldest family company, Lionel Samson & Son has successfully weathered many economic storms.

There seems to be a disconnect between the price of oil and petrol's price at the bowser.

Advertising agencies are reviewing aspects of their business as the downturn bites.

STAYING close to customers is an important strategy to many of Western Australia's big private businesses.

The federal Liberals may feel they've done it tough lately, but things could get a whole lot worse

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has denied its pre-budget submission to the state government includes a hit list of agencies it wants split or privatised.

CHINESE company CITIC Pacific Mining is doing more than its fair share to counter the downturn in mining and construction jobs in Western Australia, announcing that the peak workforce on its Sino Iron project will peak at a larger than expected 4,000 peop