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Legislation imposing permanent restrictions on short selling needs to pass parliament before it rises for the long Christmas break next month, Corporate Governance Minister Nick Sherry says.

State Energy Minister Peter Collier has ruled out purchasing the Western Australian assets of troubled utility investor Babcock and Brown Power, namely those in the Alinta group that the ailing investment banking group bought two years ago.

Mount Gibson Iron has reached an in principle agreement with the Dambimangari Native Title Group for exploration of the western region of Koolan Island, which has, to date, never been drilled.

A count of proxy votes cast by St George Bank shareholders has gone in favour of the bank's proposed merger with Westpac Banking Corp.

Fortescue Metals Group has appointed Paul Hallam as it's new head of operations.

Newspaper publisher and multi-media owner Fairfax Media sees tough trading conditions for some time but says it is better prepared than ever to take advantage when recovery occurs.

The residential population in the city of Perth is booming, and forecasts predict the number to more than double in just over 20 years breaking the 30,000 residents barrier.

A top Brazilian official estimates $US400 billion ($608.27 billion) will be needed in the next decade to develop massive offshore oil finds.

Petrol price cut demand snubbed; Banks start to wield job axe; WA Opes Prime case could be waste of time, bank claims; ABC plea for new bank lifeline; Struggling Rick Hart owner looks at all options

FOR someone who wasn't even a member of a political party just four years ago, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has settled comfortably into his new, if somewhat unexpected, role.

THE Margaret River wine region welcomed its newest microbrewery late last month with the opening of the $10 million Saracen Estate/Duckstein microbrewery.

Allied Gold Ltd's registered office is now: Unit B9, 431 Roberts Road, Subiaco 6008. Tel: 9276 4604, Fax: 9287 4655.

SOME of the Western Australia's top companies have cut or redeployed staff in recent weeks.

What is your favourite holiday destination? Sicily because of the relaxed lifestyle, and the fact I was born there and the mammas still love me.

Events ACEA Breakfast: Association of Consulting Engineers of Australia presents: Are you prepared to risk a WorkSafe investigation or a prosecution?

WESTERN Australian businesses may still have critical skills shortages to deal with, but in the current climate of uncertainty many employers are also looking for legal advice to potentially downsize their workforce.

LOW-COST carrier Virgin Blue this week said it would reduce fuel surcharges by 20 per cent on its domestic flights and Pacific Blue trans-Tasman and Pacific Island flights, just days after Skywest Airlines announced its airfares would rise by 4 per cent.

Powering up in the SWIS A NEW power station in the suburb of Naval Base opened last week, ensuring a capacity boost of 10 per cent to Western Australia's power supplies.

THE debate over infrastructure provision in WA has taken many intriguing twists and turns since the election of the Barnett government.

BARELY known in Western Australia five years ago, the '457 temporary long-stay business visa' became part of the everyday language for WA businesses, as sourcing overseas workers became crucial for local operators' growth and survival.

THE highly lucrative and increasingly competitive international education market is now top of mind for many of the state's educational centres and learning institutions, as demand for their services goes global.

SHORT-TERMISM has something of an Orwellian ring to it, so I reckon it's appropriate to blame it for undermining the free-market economy.

THE skills shortage has been an important element in the changes to Perth's social fabric during the past five years.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resources.

THE list of global meltdown casualties continue to pile up, with the Western Australian operations of global giants like Alcoa and Rio Tinto among those impacted by financial crisis.

THE developers of what will become Perth's tallest residential tower remain confident the project will be completed by the end of the year.

THE state government has announced the appointment of chief executives for three of its major agencies as the focus turns to who will take the reigns at the departments set to be restructured.

MIGRATION is such a broad ranging and complex issue that it needs to be concentrated in a single arm of government, the recent WA Business News migration forum was told.

RESIDENTIAL developers are beginning to see the effects of sliding interest rates and boosts to the first homeowners grant, with some recording a significant increase in traffic through sales offices.

THE combatants are gathering for the next round in the continuing stoush between Perth-based telco EFTel's board and disgruntled shareholders.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore has been in negotiations for 18 months to get its labour agreement approved, which is the first step to be granted the right to employ overseas workers on 457 visas.

AS global carbon emissions continue to rise, the investment world has begun to grapple with growing costs of consuming fossil fuels.