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Privately-held IMC Resources has broken its silence on events surrounding Atlas Iron's shareholder meeting, disputing claims that it swayed stakeholders to vote against the re-election of chairman David Nixon.

The home building sector will not gain the full benefit of falling interest rates and a tripling of grants for first home buyers unless more land is released, a new report says.

Rio Tinto's review of its Pilbara expansion projects has resulted in the termination of a $25 million accommodation construction contract with East Perth-based Fleetwood Corporation.

BHP Billiton's approval to proceed with further expansion works at its Pilbara iron ore operations has proved to be a boon for Macmahon Holdings, which today secured a $50 million contract with the miner.

Waste recycling company AnaeCo has entered into a partnership with a UK-based firm to expand its DiCOM waste processing system through India, China and South East Asia.

West Perth-based Azure Minerals has entered into a $4.6 million joint venture with Japanese government entity, JOGMEC, over two of its Mexican projects.

Agribusiness Great Southern has signed a conditional agreement to sell its Queensland asset for a discounted $23 million as it posts an annual loss of over $64 million.

Growing stamp duty bills on residential properties are impeding Australian home buyers' ability to enter the housing market, according to a new report.

PM's $3.5bn for states to fire economy; More is better - bets are on for a big rate cut; Jilted suitor Cooper hits at Texan's play; Two banks baulk at B&B rescue; OZ says deal can be saved

The state government says it will wait for an indication of federal funding for the $1.5 billion development of the Oakajee port and rail project before finalising an agreement with the proponent.

Telstra has labeled rival Optus' national broadband network bid 'sub-prime' after calling into question an alleged $8 billion funding hole.

BHP Billiton has emerged from its decision to dump a $100 billion-plus takeover for rival Rio Tinto Ltd with 'buy'recommendations from analysts, while Standard & Poor's has maintained its rating for Rio but warns of a downgrade.

The logistics division of Automotive Holdings Group has buffered the company from further losses as its core retail division suffers a 24 per cent fall in earnings over the past four months.

EFTel has forecast a loss making December half of over $2 million as it enters into a partnership with internet service provider Dodo to help deliver its BroadbandNext network.

Western Australian-based Rod Jones, founder and managing director of education services provider Navitas, has been named this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

AWB seeks merger with grain rival; States to get extra $7.7bn for hospitals; Reality check for BHP; Babcock locked in $3.1bn debt restructure talks; Toll mounts as India reels from attacks

A group of the state's big gas users have called on government to adopt a fiscal incentive package that will encourage domestic gas supply and take away the current focus on exports.

The corporate watchdog has settled its first class action over the failed Westpoint Group, nearly a year after it launching court proceedings.

ERM Power is keeping quiet about its intentions over the potential sale of Babcock & Brown Power's interests in two Western Australian power stations to ANZ.

Agribusiness investment company Timbercorp has suffered a 32 per cent fall in annual net profit thanks in part by write-offs and provisions made during the year.

High debt levels, the global economic downturn and BHP Billiton's decision to pull its takeover proposal have prompted credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings to remove Rio Tinto from its 'rating watch positive' list.

The state government is seeking public comment on a new rail-based transport connection in Kwinana to alleviate heavy vehicles using main roads between Fremantle and Forrestfield.

A falling share price has prompted agricultural investment manager Great Southern to delay next week's meeting of project investors, who were to decide on a restructure proposal of the company.

China has lowered its key one-year lending rate 108 basis points to 5.58 percent, the most in 11 years, extending efforts to prevent an economic slump less than three weeks after unveiling a 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus plan.

Rio plunges 34pc amid debt fears; Rudd flags deficit to boost growth; Demand for skilled jobs plunges; Qantas facing Moody's review; NRW slumps as Fortescue defers $87m Pilbara rail contract

BHP Billiton is the world's biggest mining company so it was fitting it was BHP that decisively marked the end of the five-year global resources boom this week.

THE controversy over lead exports from Esperance may have attracted intense public focus over the past two years, but a potentially larger commercial issue that remains unresolved is the future of bulk nickel concentrate exports.

SOUTH African-owned engineering consultancy TWP Australia is the latest company to lay off Perth staff, admitting to shedding workers due to decisions by clients in an environment where some project work is stalling.

BUSINESS AND TRADE Seven new basic training aircrafts approved by FAA or EASA (Egypt) - 16266; Technical and engineering design drawing services (India) - 16257; Tender supply of complete draft gear for Carl Fouche coaches (Egypt) - 16262; Tender to suppl

LESS than 500 metres apart, two West Perth construction sites tell the story of the rapidly changing landscape in resources sector investment and the cascading effect on aligned industries.

THE credit crunch continues to tighten conditions in the Perth property market, with some new apartment developments requiring close to 100 per cent pre-sale to proceed.

THE aged care industry has warned that Western Australia is heading into dangerous territory, with only a quarter of the 1,300 bed licences recently made available by the federal government expected to be taken up.