Latest Headlines

On the final day of tender applications, Midwest Corporation Ltd has nominated Yilgarn Infrastructure as its preferred developer for the $1.5 billion Oakajee port.

The State Government's failure to provide meaningful tax relief to business in today's state budget suggests it is trying to future-proof its prospects at the next election, rather than safeguard the economy and reinforce business growth.

Freehills WA managing partner John Atkins will quit the partnership to take on the newly created role of chairman of ANZ in Western Australia.

The state government has responded to calls from the housing sector in its pre-election budger by reducing the cost of property transaction, increasing thresholds which will cut stamp duty on a median priced home by more than 15 per cent.

Canadian mining software company Gemcom Software International Inc, which has major Western Australian operations via its Surpac Minex acquisition, has agreed to be acquired by two private equity firms for $C180 million ($A189.5m).

Perth-based carbon offset provider Carbon Conscious Ltd has closed its IPO after raising more than $7 million and is expecting to list on the Australian Securities Exchange late next week.

The University of Western Australia will appeal against a Federal Court decision which ruled in favour of intellectual property claims by its former employee Dr Bruce Gray, founder of Sirtex Medical Ltd.

Rio Tinto subsidiary Hamersley Holdings has increased its interest in AusQuest to 6.9 per cent following the exercise of five million options at 40 cents per share.

Murdoch University and a Malaysian clinical research organisation Info Kinetics have announced a joint venture to deliver accredited drug analysis services to the Western Australian market.

West Perth based mineral exploration company Lachlan Star plans to issue 300 million new shares at three cents per share in an effort to raise $9 million.

East Perth-based internet and telecommunications provider iiNet has returned to its acquisition strategy after a more than two-year layover, acquiring fellow Western Australian player Westnet for an $81 million cash payment.

BHP lays claim to oil major standing; Fortescue rockets Forrest to $9.4bn; $US120 oil blows budget forecast; Creasy-backed Croesus poised to rise from ashes; Call to rebuild Australia with budget surpluses

I’ve been on the road this week but still managed to keep up with the news.

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.

Some key power brokers in both major political parties have apparently been heard using the term ‘new chums’.

Once predominantly known for its market gardens and hobby farms, Baldivis has been succumbing to Perth’s urban sprawl for several years as land shortages and rising property prices force development out to the city’s fringe.

Watching state Liberal leader Troy Buswell become enmeshed in a scandal of his own making made me question what it is we really want from our political leaders.

With office vacancy rates in Perth CBD and West Perth sitting near zero, suburban office space is in high demand from city tenants looking to relocate.

As an economist I have closely studied the rise and rise of China for a number of years, but it was not until I set foot on Chinese soil that I truly understood the enormity of what’s occurring in this rapidly developing country.

From uncertain beginnings in the early 1990s, Australia’s coal seam, or coal bed, gas (CSG) or coal seam methane (CSM) business has come a long way. Today, we see a large cohort of companies involved in the local industry, supplying more than 70 per cent

The drama surrounding the $2 billion Oakajee deepwater port in the state’s Mid West is set to enter a new stage.

Osborne Park radio communications manufacturer Omnitronics is set to open its first overseas office in the US in July to take advantage of increased opportunities and higher demand.

Phil Doyle is well versed in the problems facing growing businesses and the issues and pressures faced by owners ill-equipped to deal with them.

The Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall of Fame Foundation is appealing to the mining community to help it raise $10 million.

At a time where increasing numbers of Western Australian companies are discovering the market value of corporate social responsibility, even more are beginning to unearth the integrity of their employees’ social conscience, according to St James Ethics

Global facility services management group ISS has bought Western Australian mine site accommodation services provider, South Perth-based Topic Caterers, in an effort to further expand its reach in the resources sector.

A new eatery to open in Mount Lawley this week will offer a taste of traditional Europe focusing on seasonal fare and regional specialties in the tradition of the European canteen.

As the state's winemakers emerge from a tough few years, the industry has a different look to it.

It has been a year since the liquor licensing reform laws were introduced, opening the way for new venues to operate under the small bar licence and the liquor-without-a-meal lice

It’s almost a scene from a one of those East End gangster movies.

HERE at the Note we often imagine what it’s like to be a fly on the wall when the big deals are brokered. Alas, the detail is often left out in the announcements we peruse.

It was meant to be a stopgap solution for companies facing staff shortages, but industry groups say the 457 business visa has been beset with problems from the outset.