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BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe closure again raises the issue of a fly-in, fly-out workforce

WITH a 160-year trade history, sandalwood is Western Australia's oldest export.

US Supreme Court ruling paved the way for financial meltdown.

CARBON credits have been a major growth area in the forestry sector, as companies move to exploit the market created by the federal government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, due for introduction in mid 2010.

THE Federal Court decision in favour of non-forestry MIS in an Australian Tax Office test case last December has substantially shortened the usual time allowed for project managers to put their annual programs together.

TALK about a baptism of fire.Shortly after taking over the top job from founder, John Young, Great Southern managing director Cameron Rhodes faced the challenge of not only negotiating the company through tough economic times, but also steering it through

Shareholders in Gindalbie Metals have approved a $162 million share placement to AnSteel, which will boost the Chinese steelmaker's stake to over 36 per cent.

Eight-year veteran Andy Crane will take over from Imre Mencshelyi as the new chief executive of grains handler CBH Group.

Kalahari Minerals has filed documents in the Supreme Court of Western Australia over the appointment of newly elected Extract Resources director John Main.

Building approvals in Western Australia rose over 12 per cent during December, bucking the national trend which declined for a sixth consecutive month.

Fortescue Metals Group has agreed to settle a shipping contract dispute with the issue of $US22 million ($A34 million) worth of shares and has entered into a shipping joint venture.

Woodside Petroleum has today unveiled a new logo, the first substantial change in 32 years.

BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers has admitted the Ravensthorpe nickel operation was not the "finest investment decision" as the miner reported a 56.5 per cent drop in first half profit.

CBA, Westpac mull loan book as Dexia plans exit; Westfield goes shopping for $2.9b; Qantas asks for $500 million; Big punch but doubts still linger; New logo for Woodside to mark focus on LNG

The federal government says today's $42 billion stimulus package will add to gross domestic product growth but the budget will enter into a $22.5 billion deficit this financial year.

One in six BankWest customers and over 7 per cent of St George customers plan to vote with their feet and leave the bank as a result of the recent corporate activity of their bank, a new poll by Retail Banking Review has revealed.

Managing director Michael Coote has sold over $4 million of Coote Industrial shares to a family trust.

The official cash rate has been cut by an expected 100 basis points to 3.25 per cent following the Reserve Bank of Australia's board meeting today.

The Michael Kiernan-led Stirling Resources has raised over $2 million through a convertible note issue to an Austrian resource company.

Tourism Western Australia will visit Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun and Bremer Bay this week to assess tourism opportunities in the area following the shutdown of BHP Billiton's nickel operation in the area.

The federal government will inject $42 billion into the national economy to help prevent the country from entering into a deep recession.

Miner Kagara has sold an 11.5 per cent stake of the company to offtake partner Transmarine for $10 million as it embarks on a share purchase plan to raise a further $26 million.

West Perth-based ipernica says it has made a number of operational changes in order to focus its activities on the two main value drivers, intellectual property assertion and the newly acquired NearMap business.

The state government has officially halted work on a major new sporting stadium and museum, preferring instead to build more public housing, establish a new childrens' hospital and police complex, and extend the northern rail line.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has revealed that state revenue has dipped a further $1 billion since the interim budget was released last month as the government moves to cap employees in the public sector at 99,155.

Asset manager PearlStreet has reported a 201 per cent jump in its interim net profit as it maintains its full year revenue guidance.

Perth has recorded the largest annual drop in the average house price in 2008, according to latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Platinum Australia has successfully raised over $14 million with funds to be used to reduce overall debt and for working capital.

Straits Resources will raise nearly $80 million through a convertible notes issue to the Standard Chartered Bank and has been granted an 18-month, $25 million senior debt facility by the bank.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia today called for economic reform that will support local firms, encourage new investment and create jobs during the deepening global financial crisis.

The value of projects in Australia has declined by $37.2 billion since the September 2008 quarter, with new projects failing to replenish those being completed.

Ausco Modular has opened a new 250-room accommodation village in Karratha, six months after construction started.