Latest Headlines

LEADING national law firm, Freehills, has appointed Jason Ricketts as its new Perth managing partner, hitting the starter's gun on the annual round of pre-June 30 legal appointments.

Investment and advisory firm Lehman Brothers Australia is negotiating a settlement deal with the 30-plus Australian councils it sold sub-prime investment securities to last year.

Labor's victory in last year's federal election has elevated Western Australians Stephen Smith and Chris Evans to two of the most senior roles in the federal government.

THE Carpenter government's approval rating among small and medium enterprises has fallen, making it the second lowest ranked state or territory government across Australia, a business survey has found

Western Australia's mortgage broking industry is bracing for tough times ahead as the fallout from the global credit crunch continues to unfold.

More than a dozen people have been removed from WA Business News' Most Influential lists during the past 12 months, and only in some cases by choice.

NATIONAL IT consultancy Ajilon has been awarded a contract worth up to $32.9 million to provide services to the WA Department of the Attorney-General.

Western Australia's mortgage broking industry is bracing for tough times ahead as the fallout from the global credit crunch continues to unfold.

The City of Wanneroo has bolstered its relationship with small business through an initiative with Edith Cowan University.

ASPIRING power generation company Aviva Corporation and oil and gas producer ARC Energy have agreed to partner to study the potential for sequestration of carbon dioxide in depleted oil and gas reserv

Curtin University of Technology has secured $1.

THE City of Perth has launched a new program to encourage businesses in the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their offices.

The state government has awarded a $3 million contract to Belmont-based J J MacDonald and Sons to improve boat-launching facilities at Woodman Point.

Embattled petroleum company Baraka Petroleum Ltd has withdrawn from the Mali and La Punta projects, following its path into voluntary administration last month.

Australia's export earnings from mineral resources were largely unchanged over the March quarter, with a strong Australian dollar and lower export volumes offsetting stronger commodity prices.

Premier Alan Carpenter has today announced the appointment of Anne Nolan to the position of director general, Department of Industry and Resources.

Inflation, rates, oil fears savage market; Foster's $770m hit as CEO walks; Chinese funds cleared to buy in Australia; Ore giants urged to back rail rule or risk break-up; Gas insurers could hold the key to Burrup's $2.5b float

The state government's timeline to announce a preferred proponent for the development of the $2 billion Oakajee Port has been extended by a month.

The Varanus Island gas plant explosion is having a big impact on the WA economy with 14 per cent of the respondents to an industry survey saying they will have to shut down, while 64 per cent expect a production decline.

Gold miner St Barbara Ltd plans to raise $120 million in equity with proceeds to fund the development of the Gwalia gold mine near Leonora.

Aspiring power generation company Aviva Corporation and ARC Energy have agreed to partner up to study the potential for sequestration of carbon dioxide in depleted oil and gas reservoirs in the North Perth Basin.

Mineral sands miner Iluka Resources Ltd has been allocated an initial supply of gas from Alinta to power its Western Australian operations.

Chinese steel making giant Sinosteel has indicated it may not support the proposed merger between takeover target Midwest Corporation Ltd and Murchison Metals Ltd as questions are raised over the latter's asset quality.

Perth-based global drug delivery company, pSivida Ltd has received approval from the Federal Court of Australia for its reincorporation in the United States.

The state's current gas crisis is proving to be a boon for West Perth-based biodiesel company Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd, which today received a purchase order for the immediate supply of 500,000 litres of biodiesel.

Perth-based engineering company Neptune Marine Services Ltd's subsidiary, Tri-Surv Geomatics, has been awarded an offshore hydrographic survey contract worth more than $8 million.

VDM Group Ltd's Western Australian subsidiary, Wylie & Skene Pty Ltd, has been awarded five new contracts totaling some $60 million.

Minara Resources Ltd today confirmed that it has secured temporary gas supply and delivery arrangements for its Murrin Murrin operation following the fire which has disrupted gas supply from Apache Energy's Varanus facility.

West Perth-based miner Kagara Ltd has expanded its resource portfolio after agreeing to pay $6.5 million plus royalties to Glengarry Resources Ltd for the Maitland copper deposit in Queensland.

Subiaco-based exploration company Crescent Gold Ltd has avoided heading to court following a $1.9 million settlement with contractor Bemex Corporation Pty Ltd.

WA grapples with energy shortfall; Burrup float in jeopardy; Investment banks' fees fall 27pc; Ship costs jump lifts BHP, Rio case; Bankrupted, but Cumins vows one last tax appeal

The Carpenter government's newly formed energy working group will be seeking more details tonight on the impact of the state's gas crisis on local industries, as it continues to develop its contigency plans.