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THE building and construction sector has welcomed the state government's record capital works program, as the industry looks to the government to stimulate activity while private sector investment languishes.

If we are to have a carbon tax, it's important we get it right – first time.

THERE weren't too many winners to emerge from the gloomy economic backdrop surrounding last week's federal and state budgets, but the small business sector has more to be pleased about than most.

Questions are being raised over the government's plans for infrastructure.

PERTH'S largest manufacturer of fibreglass swimming pools has developed what it says is a world first - a pool protection system that guarantees the colour won't fade.

Access to state government ministers seems reserved for a special few.

More than 40 directors have dropped off the WA Business News rich list during the past 12 months.

EIGHT former company directors and families have managed to bypass the global economic downturn, cashing in their shareholdings before the world went belly-up.

David Flanagan takes a long-term view of his company's role in the broader community.

THE stock market provides a very public barometer of the diminished wealth of many Australians over the past year.

THE world's second richest man, Warren Buffett, told shareholders early this month that good, skilful management was a key attribute he looked for in a potential investment.

CCIWA says the state deserved more from the federal budget, despite ports securing millions in funding.

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

RESIDENTIAL property developers and builders were big winners from state and federal budget initiatives, which will provide much-needed stimulus to the property industry.

LAST week, the Baltic Dry index, which is a benchmark measure for freight costs of bulk commodities including iron ore, coal and grains, rose 22.

THE state government has established a working group to review energy infrastructure options in the Mid West after its surprise decision to defer the upgrade of the transmission line to Geraldton.

PERTH miner Norseman Gold is shaping up to be the second Western Australian company to list on the Australian Securities Exchange this calendar year.

ALCOA of Australia managing director Alan Cransberg, Hawaiian property group manager Kate O'Hara (pictured) and KPMG tax partner Craig Yaxley have been appointed to the Black Swan State Theatre Compan

Mining services company Emerson Stewart Group will buy back more than 31 million shares from a major shareholder at a premium to its trading price.

Construction and engineering company Paladio Group has unveiled major changes with managing director Victor Kuss to step down and a name change to Decmil Group.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA has thrown its support behind Treasurer Troy Buswell's wariness over plans to align occupational health and safety rules across all states.

Former nickel miner Australian Mines will resolve its outstanding debts through the issue of nearly 3 billion shares to creditors at no cost.

Four Perth office buildings have been awarded nearly $2 million in government grants for 'green' upgrades though Western Australia gained only five per cent of the total grants.

Iluka Resources has received final regulatory approval for its $420 million Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands project in South Australia, which allows mining to begin.

Miner Panoramic Resources has moved a step closer to full ownership of the Lanfranchi nickel project after shareholders of a joint venture company approved the sale.

Neptune Marine Services has secured $20 million worth of contracts with a range of blue-chip companies including BHP Billiton and Woodside Petroleum.

Moly Mines has today appointed David Craig as its new chairman while director Kurt Talbot has ended his one-month stint on the board.

Singapore-listed AusGroup expects to nearly double its order book after it agreed to buy scaffolding business Modern Access Services (MAS) for $15 million.

The state government has recommended that Western Australia's minimum wage be increased by $19.50 a week to better reflect the increased cost of living.

Woodside Petroleum has executed a $US1.1 billion ($A1.4 billion) syndicated loan facility with 26 domestic and international banks.

Property developer Aspen Group has unveiled plans for a fully underwritten capital raising of more than $82 million, which will be used to "secure an enhanced senior debt facility".

A consortium of banks, owed $600 million, have called in receivers to timber plantation and cattle project manager Great Southern.