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CBH Resources Ltd has hit back at claims that its proposed merger with Perth-based Perilya will expose the latter's shareholders to additional risks in relation to CBH's Endeavour mine and debt position.

Nationals leader Brendon Grylls said only half of the $675 million of the royalties for regions will be budgeted this year in order to maintain the state's AAA credit rating.

Shares in Westralian Gas and Power have slumped nearly 30 per cent as the company reports cash reserves of $7000 at the end of the September quarter.

Shares in Perth-based Resolute Mining Ltd have been placed in a trading halt as the company assesses its ambitious $51 million capital raising.

Rift in Lib-Nats power alliance; Juniors have missed funding boat: Forrest; PM's latest crisis cure: go local; Tax breaks to spur state spending; Government sympathetic to car industry's woes

A Malaga-based power tool and equipment manufacturer has been announced as the winner of the 2008 WA Inventor of the Year Award.

The North West Shelf Venture has today celebrated the completion of its $2.6 billion, phase five liquefied natural gas expansion project at a special ceremony in Karratha.

Unionised train drivers working for Rio Tinto's Pilbara operations are planning another round of strike action next week.

Western Australia's timber industry has voted to seek compensation of some $20 million from Apache Energy for losses incurred as a result of the gas explosion at Varanus Island.

Despite the uncertain economic climate, Arafura Resources Ltd has unveiled ambitious plans to raise some $26 million through a rights issue.

West Perth-based Altera Resources Ltd has walked away from a proposed $13 million acquisition of an underground coal gasification company.

Partnerships between Western Australian businesses and arts organisations have won four out of 13 awards at this year's Australia Business Arts Foundation Awards.

North Perth-based metals explorer Aura Energy Ltd has entered into a deal, potentially valued at $460 million, with Chinese company Sino King Investment Ltd.

The global financial meltdown has prompted the University of Western Australia, along with tertiary institutions across the country, to tighten the financial belt after falls in investments.

Peet Ltd director Warwick Hemsley has been elected president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, taking over from Penny Flett.

A subsidiary of VDM Group Ltd has secured a near $6 million contract from Cemex for works in the Pilbara.

WA rips $1.8bn off regional deal; RBA plans drastic rates cut; Chinese Rio play embroiled in Lehman collapse; Mills push FMG for freight cuts; NAB to be first cab off the rank

The corporate watchdog has banned Dalkeith man Pierre Schinazi from providing financial services for five years over his role in the collapse of Westpoint.

The federal government has imposed a raft of tough measures on Perth-based Great Southern Ltd's Tiwi Islands plantation operation following a breach of approval conditions.

The federal government will contribute $1.4 million towards a small wind farm in Denmark that will generate some 5800 megawatt hours of electricity each year.

Western Australia miners have been hit hard in trade today with the metals and mining index plummeting over 12 per cent on fears that the meltdown will spark a global slump and reduce demand for commodities.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers has put the spotlight on BHP Billiton's takeover of Rio Tinto, with Chinalco in urgent talks with Lehman Brothers' liquidators to retrieve a 12 per cent stake it holds in Rio.

Treasurer Troy Buswell said spending will be signifcantly tightened in next year's budget while an exact forecast on how the global financial turmoil will affect the state's resource royalties revenue stream is not yet known.

Mining services company Imdex Ltd is set to acquire Western Australian manufacturer Australian Drilling Specialities for $12 million in cash and scrip.

The state government will take a maximum stake of 25 per cent in homes under the revamped First Start shared equity scheme which this week received a $70 million lifeline.

Shaw River Resources Ltd has completed a $3 million raising with funds to go towards exploration efforts in the Pilbara.

Markets fret over Fed recession fears; WA growth to shrink: Buswell; Hundreds left angry as Opes Prime is wound up; No riding China's back: Rio; Banks urged to pass on cheaper borrowing costs

HISTORIC statistics have only limited value in the context of an unprecedented market meltdown, nevertheless there is some comfort in knowing the economic position before the latest chapter in the slowly unfolding crisis.

THE downturn in Perth's housing market continued during the September quarter, with the city's median house price falling for the third consecutive quarter to $426,000.

YOU'D think an artist commissioned by Andrew Forrest to create a 12-metre high sculpture for the Cyclone George memorial in South Hedland, and who made the centrepiece sculpture for the Sultan of Brunei's Jerudong Park Polo Club, would have quite a follow

WESTERN Australia's seemingly unstoppable supremacy on top of the stock exchange leader board has taken a battering over the past year, with a significant percentage of the state's mining and resources groups finding themselves in the crosshairs of worrie

THE push to redevelop laneways in the Perth CBD is gaining momentum, with plans for a series of small bars and cafes being developed by business owners and arts groups.