Latest Headlines

Gold miner Norton Gold Fields Ltd will drop its litigation claims against Alinta for lost production arising from the gas crisis, as power prices agreed to by both companies return to normal levels.

Alcoa of Australia managing director Alan Cransberg has written to shareholders to clarify the company's position in the on-going gas crisis.

The federal government's review of Chinese investment in Australia has denied Perth-based Prosperity Resources Ltd of $4.5 million that it would have received from Shougang Holding.

Skywest Airlines Ltd has signed a scheduled charter supply contract with Rio Tinto Services Ltd for flights to and from Perth to mine sites in Western Australia.

After six years at the helm, Wesfarmers Ltd chairman Trevor Eastwood will retire from the position at the company's annual general meeting in November.

Carbon scheme 'may kill' exporters; Receivers go into Elderslie; Spending hit exposes Lew's target; St George Westpac merger uncertain; RCR chief resigns as woes take toll

With Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in danger of being dubbed 'Media Stunt Kev' due to his obsessive releasing of pie-in-the-sky plans, it's encouraging that one of his ministers has his feet firmly on the ground and a clear vision of how things should be acro

Despite several delays and tussles between stakeholders, a new 75-bed hospital for Vasse in the Busselton region is set to go ahead, with the architectural tender having been awarded to joint venture team, Bateman Grundmann Wilson Architects and Woodhead.

I was reminded the other day of a phenomenon I'd previously heard of in general terms, though I could not recall a name being put to it.

ARC Energy's erstwhile substantial shareholder and its corporate thorn in the side, Mineralogy, finally announced a notice of ceasing to be a substantial shareholder in Arc on June 11, fully six months after it began to sell its holding last December.

Plans to turn over ownership of the state's $9 billion superannuation manager GESB to 295,000 members have been thrown into disarray, with the body and the government apparently unable to conclude a deal at the 11th hour.

Western Australian companies have delivered diverse results in a report of corporate governance standards by chartered accountants WHK Horwath.

Fifteen years after establishing Perth's first internet service provider, iiNet boss Michael Malone retains a disarming honesty and humour that is rarely found in chief executives.

Kitcraft Kitchens began in a small showroom and assembly area in Wangara in 1999 and in seven years has grown to eight locations throughout the state, with all manufacturing and assembly done in-house.

Three manufacturing companies in Perth with exposure to the booming resources sector have reported good news this month, despite having to contend with increased competition from Asian suppliers.

Organisations willing to tackle disadvantage and display their social conscience will reap positive long-term benefits across many layers of their operations, according to Workability's Keith Bales.

Improving co-ordination between government departments and making the public sector an attractive place to work will be among the key priorities for the woman about to take over as Department of Industry and Resources director general, Anne Nolan.

Ask the average punter in Perth where to find good coffee, quality wine, fine dining and boutique designer outlets, all in a street with a heritage feel, and they'll probably tell you to try a different state.

The failure of Pankaj Oswal's Burrup Holdings Ltd to appear on the stock market failed to put a dampener on Western Australian companies' enthusiasm for going public, largely defying a falling share market thanks to the resource boom.

WesternAustralia's first official single malt whisky, Limeburners, was unveiled this week by the Great Southern Distilling Company.

Sanderson takes on agent general role OUTGOING Fremantle Ports chief executive Kerry Sanderson (pictured) has been appointed as the new Western Australian representative in Europe.

The takeovers scene in Western Australia has changed significantly during the past year, with the ongoing boom boosting the stocks of local players and prompting an increasing presence from international investment banks.

THE Kemerton power station near Bunbury has received an upgrade that will allow it to increase output by more than 40 megawatts in summer while reducing its carbon footprint.

If it were just about money, the investment bankers and their other advisory colleagues would find life a lot easier.

THE state government has almost doubled funding to City West-based interactive science museum, Scitech, in a bid to overcome the dearth of scientists, technology experts and engineers in Australia.

When asked what he considered was the anniversary date of last year's Coles Group Ltd takeover, Wesfarmers Ltd managing director Richard Goyder nominates July 21 as the most appropriate.

WEST Perth-based minerals company, Murchison United NL, is set to be repositioned as a global uranium company after unveiling a strategic alliance with industrial and nuclear energy giant Areva NC.

New laws to reform the 457 visa program are expected to increase costs for employers and make the system more difficult to use, according to some industry groups and migration consultants.

Gresham Advisory PartnersMichael Ashforth Branch office

SUBIACO-BASED mineral explorer, Haddington Resources Ltd, will press ahead with its expansion strategy into drilling services via acquisitions, this time eyeing Brisbane-based company Phoenix Drillin

Specialist taxation and business advisory firm, Cooper Partners, has expanded its self-managed superannuation fund expertise with the appointment of a new principal.

It's probably no surprise to see the number of investment bankers rising in line with the amount of work available.