Latest Headlines

Western Australia's education system has been allowed to slip into crisis under the Carpenter Government, says shadow education minister Peter Collier.

Fairstar Resources Ltd has announced that acceptances for its off-market takeover bid for Golden West Resources Limited have now increased further to a total of 33.73% of the issued capital of Golden West.

Directors' liability 'hindering boards'; Rio hits back at BHP with bullish expansion plan; Kiernan threatens to walk over pay stoush; ABB confirms push into wheat sales as drought cripples profit; Bitter blow to Empire as chief quits.

West Perth-based gold company Alchemy Resources Ltd has made a disappointing debut on the Australian Securities Exchange, closing at 23 cents, 2 cents below its offer price.

Takeover bids for scaffolding company PCH Group Ltd and diamond producer Kimberley Diamond Company NL today went unconditional after their UK-based suitors secured enough shareholder support for their respective offers.

In a move flagged two weeks ago in WA Business News' hard copy edition, Australia's resource industry has some new competition with the official launch of CITIC Pacific Mining, proponents of the $5.2 billion Sino Iron Project planned for Cape Preston.

The WA Police Academy has welcomed its single biggest induction of trainees today.

Opposition Leader Paul Omodei has called on the new federal government to expedite the delivery of election promises to Western Australia, including bringing forward the $100 million promised via the petroleum resource rent tax scheme.

Navitas Ltd has entered into a Recognition and Educational Services Agreement with The University of Manitoba to establish its second college in Canada.

There was further change in the relatively new boutique brewing sector with Empire Beer Group Ltd announcing the resignation of Phillip Gallagher as managing director and a director of the company.

VDM Group Ltd subsidiary, Civmec Construction & Engineering Pty Ltd, has been awarded a $30 million contract to construct a permanent mine camp at Moorvale Queensland.

Outgoing deputy prime minister Mark Vaile has become the latest coalition leader to quit, stepping down as Nationals leader in the wake of last weekend's crushing election defeat.

Rio Tinto Ltd today announced a $2.7 billion expansion of its Pilbara iron ore mining operations, which it will use to support its claim that it has better growth prospects than its competitors, including would-be suitor BHP Billiton Ltd.

Agricultural and forestry fund manager, Great Southern Limited, has recorded lower than expected project sales revenue on the back of legislative uncertainty surrounding non-forestry managed investment schemes, driving its 2007 net profit down 29 per cent

Outgoing defence minister Brendan Nelson has become the third senior Liberal to put up his hand for the party leadership, as Nationals' leader Mark Vaile today joined the former ministers choosing to exit politics.

With Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd set to appoint a fresh cabinet, the Real Estate Institute of Australia has renewed calls for the federal government to appoint a dedicated minister for housing.

Western Australia's peak business lobby is seeking certainty from the Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd that he will maintain the responsible and effective management of the economy to ensure Western Australia's growth and prosperity continue.

West Perth-based Northern Iron Ltd has aims to raise up to $140 million in its initial public offer to fund acquisitions and exploration over its Sydvaranger Iron project in northern Norway.

Swiss mining group Xstrata plc has reduced the minimum acceptance level in its Jubilee Mines takeover offer from 90 per cent to 50 per cent, after struggling to win acceptances from Jubilee shareholders.

Rudd poised to end AWAs by February; Market expected to be positive after poll; Costello clocks off as Howard's flaws are exposed; Rio Tinto to launch own offensive on BHP bid; Spitfire closes $6m float subscriptions early.

Industry bodies have stated they will work with the new Labor government headed by Kevin Rudd, including the Master Builders Association.  

Western Australia's peak business and employer group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates Kevin Rudd and the Labor Party on their election victory.

In the last View from the Arch, Andrew Hobbs wraps up the campaign for John Howard and Kevin Rudd, and casts a brief glace statewards.

Booming iron ore exports have increased its value to the state markedly, notably in royalties which jumped 25 per cent in 2006-07 to hit $851.

Subiaco-based oil and gas explorer Red Fork Energy Ltd has announced plans to raise $10 million through a placement to fast track production at its Oklahoma assets.

Fresh from its rejection of a takeover bid from Fairstar Resources Ltd, Osborne Park-based Golden West Resources Ltd has appointed former Portman Mining managing director Geoff Wedlock as chairman, following John Daniels' retirement.

West Perth-based Murchison Metals Ltd has confirmed its 375 million tonne estimate over the 15-year mine life of its Jack Hills iron ore project, saying in an announcement today that Midwest Corporation Ltd's statements about the project were incorrect.

It's official, Wesfarmers Ltd has become the Western Australia's most valuable company, the state's biggest employer and the nation's biggest retailer with today's implementation of a scheme of arrangement to take over the Coles Group Ltd.

Western Australia's flat white, long black, latte and hot chocolate set have maintained their strong support for the Liberal Party, delivering an espresso shot in the arm for the government the day before the election.

Perth entrepreneur Dean Scook has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted in the District Court over a market deception scheme involving shares in a junior explorer in 1998.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has responded to criticism of State government funding for local raods, saying state budget allocations have grown by an average of 16 per cent each year since 2004-05.

Perth-based BigHill Resources Ltd has today opened its initial public offer, seeking to raise $7 million to fund acquisitions and exploration of its Cookes Creek Tungsten project.