Latest Headlines

Should there be a tax that can reap hundreds of millions, if not billions, for the state that is so vague that no-one really knows what it costs them?

Westpac has its Volkswagens, Aussie has its Rav 4s, Home has its Minis and now the Police & Nurses Credit Society has a fleet of Mazda 3s to raise its profile and showcase its brand on Perth’s roads.

Private business has had an extraordinary year, with a rush of trade sales and floats allowing a window in to owner's thinking.

Kevin Gray is one of thousands of Western Australian business people who have carved out a successful niche and ridden the economic boom.

The new owners of the Luxe Bar will launch an outdoor amphitheatre venue at the beginning of next month, following an extensive renovation program.

If it all goes to plan, the succession process at industrial equipment supplier CAPS Australia will have taken at least eight years.

Ask any business owner what the biggest issue facing their business is and staff shortages will be the most likely reply.

The race is on to find ways to store carbon dioxide emissions, but some in the sector argue the legal framework has to be put in place to deal with this new issue and the business opportunities it creates

While many outsiders perceive Papua New Guinea as politically and socially unstable, the country continues to attract interest from mining companies keen to develop major resource projects.

Global investment bank UBS has established a Perth office, having previously serviced the Western Australian market on a fly-in fly-out basis.

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 long-awaited move by Kerry Stokes’ Seven Network Ltd on West Australian Newspapers Holdings Ltd started this week, offering all the hallmarks of a long and protracted fight.

The state’s property market is likely to experience continued growth in 2008, although performance in the residential sector is likely to be mixed, according to the Hegney Property Group’s outlook report.

With the first of the new breed of Perth office towers at least 12 months away from completion, developers are transforming small city sites into boutique office blocks and reaping the rewards in the interim.

Figures released last week by the Housing Industry Association indicate the residential market in Western Australia will continue to face challenges in 2008.

Goyder already hands-on at Coles It might have looked a bit small town, but when Wesfarmers Ltd boss Richard Goyder talked about how he’d sorted out the management of his local Mosman Park Coles store

Japanese company INPEX announced today that it may build its proposed LNG plant at Darwin rather than at its currently preferred option of the Maret Islands off the remote Kimberley coast.

Darrel Jarvis' 10 year attempt to build a global wine group is in jeopardy following Palandri Wine Group's decision to appoint voluntary administrators today after being pressed by a major creditor.

Shares in Image Resources NL spin-out, Emu Nickel Ltd, opened at 39 cents each on their Australian stock exchange debut today, 22 per cent down on their offer price of 50 cents.

Environment minister David Templeman and Environmental Protection Authority chairman Dr Paul Vogel have announced a wide-ranging review to streamline the state's environmental approvals processes.

Perth-based nickel sulphide producer, Sally Malay Ltd, has reported a net profit after tax of $24.4 million for the half year period ending December 2007, more than 25 per cent down on the previous corresponding half-year.

Yilgarn Infrastructure Limited has welcomed the announcement by the WA government of plans to release the Request for Proposal for the right to build a $1.5 billion deepwater port at Oakajee in the state's Mid West region.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Dominion Mining Ltd has announced a $14 million net profit after tax for the six months to December 2007, off the back of strong operational performance by its Challenger Gold Mine in South Australia.

Darrel Jarvis' 10 year attempt to build a global wine group may have come to an end following Palandri Wine Group's decision to appoint voluntary administrators today.

Mineral drilling company Swick Mining Services Ltd has announced a record first half profit and an upgrade to its full year earnings forecast, as it continues its market expansion.

The state government has signed off on an historic agreement to assist East Timor manage and plan major infrastructure projects.

Perth-based Eden Energy Ltd is planning to transfer its Australian geothermal assets to subsidiary company, Terratherma Ltd, ahead of a potential $20 million initial public offer.

Electrical engineering and control systems company, LogiCamms Ltd, is set to acquire Queensland-based Paterson Flood Engineers Pty Ltd and Competency Training Pty Ltd, for a total consideration of up to $12.1 million.

VDM Group Ltd has reported a net profit after tax for the half year of $11.2 million, a 120 per cent increase over the corresponding period of 2006.

Integrated recycling group, CMA Corporation Ltd, has announced a $7.4 million net profit for the half year, a 159 per cent increase on the 2006 interim result.

Patersons Capital Partners - a joint venture between former Alinta Ltd executives and stockbroking firm, Patersons Securities - has partnered with West Perth-based optical products provider, C@ Ltd, to examine the potential establishment of carbon sequest

One of Malaysia's biggest oil and gas companies, Petronas, had approached the Geological Survey of WA for help in establishing a drill core library in their Kuala Lumpur office.