Latest Headlines

MIGRATION agents believe new federal legislation aimed at cracking down on employers that exploit workers under the temporary 457 visa program will lead to a further tightening of employer obligations.

WESTERN Australia's major shipping and transport stakeholders are cooperating closely to ensure smooth sailing at the Fremantle Ports this coming Christmas period.

October 3 Melville Toyota Pink Ribbon Ball, sponsored by Worldwide Online Printing. Run annually by Momentum Women's Forum that raises money to support breast cancer research.

THERE was something almost surreal about events last Friday when Western Australia lost the country's single largest resources project as the rest of the world trembled over the fallout from the global financial crisis.

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.

NATIONALS WA's Royalties for Regions plan, which is now a key element of the new government's policy platform, is going to be a true test for Colin Barnett and his team as they manage the state's finances.

The markets might be rocky but continued Chinese interest is making some wonder about our current foreign investment rules.

APARTMENT developers in the Perth CBD are preparing for the first wave of settlements on new projects, at a time when softening market conditions have left some projects unsold and others facing defaults on contracts.

WHILE the September quarter could best be described as a dismal one for initial public offers, the number of Western Australian firms listing on the stock market has largely remained steady compared with the previous quarter.

THE downturn in Western Australia's property sector has produced an increase in property repossessions and home loan arrears in the state, according to a report from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

IT has been a tough past few months for companies looking for extra cash, with the surge in market volatility causing investors to further tighten the purse strings.

MALAGA-BASED Complete Site Services is set to become Western Australia's newest player in the transportable mining accommodation sector, having being awarded a $65 million contract to supply and install a camp for 801 workers at Fortescue Metals Group's H

THE timber industry has incurred major losses and continues to struggle as a result of the state's gas crisis following the explosion at Varanus Island.

OFFICE fit-outs using energy-efficient designs and quirky layouts were recognised at this year's Design Institute of Australia WA design awards.

FORTESCUE Metals Group Ltd is closer to gaining access to Pilbara railways, after last week's High Court decision that some tracks were not part of BHP Billiton's production process.

While the state continues on its record run with $68 billion in exports, three big resource sector producers dominate the field.

RALLIES on global markets last week were a direct result of short covering and some over-exuberance by a few who have not yet lost all their investments or hope.

WESTERN Australia formally lost its bid to host a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas plant on Friday, with Japanese company Inpex Ltd and project partner Total E&P Australia announcing Darwin

MINERAL and petroleum commodities dominate Western Australian exports, with iron ore alone accounting for almost one-third of the state's total exports.

A COMBINATION of forces in the US including voter antipathy, partisanship and election year politics, has created further turmoil regarding the future stability of the US and world economies.

30 BARRY Nazer has been appointed as director of listed engineering firm VDM Group Ltd.

EXPORTERS should remain relatively shielded from any dramatic downturns in the global economy, with the demand from China expected to remain robust.

INFORMATION technology and communications specialists Datamerge has bought Margaret River firm Queensberry Consulting as part of a strategy to overcome the dearth of skilled IT professionals in Western Australia.

Axiom Properties Ltd director Ben Laurance has increased his interest in the company through a rights issue of 10.4 million shares valued at a total of $832,000.

Brockman Resources Ltd has signed a native title agreement over its Pilbara iron ore project, putting it on track to achieve first production late next year.

Perth-based InterStaff Recruitment Ltd has been awarded an 'on hire labour agreement' by the federal government, allowing it to bring overseas workers into Australian in more than 60 occupations.

House values in Perth have suffered the largest drop compared to national figures, falling almost 6 per cent in the past year, according to latest statistics from the RP Data/Rismark International index.

Premier Colin Barnett has reportedly given a strong indication that the government would consider sacking the entire Cockburn City Council if its mayor, Stephen Lee, does not resign.

Longstanding CBH Group chief executive Imre Mencshelyi has announced his decision to retire in April next year after 42 years with the Perth-based grain handler.

Perth-based Homeloans Ltd has announced that its managing director Brian Jones will step down, two months before his contract expires, as the group deals with the sub-prime impact on its warehouse funding.

Balcatta-based Perseus Mining Ltd has estimated capital costs for its gold project in Ghana to cost $220 million as the definitive feasibility study remains on track for completion in April next year.

Brisbane-based Norton Gold Fields Ltd will move to acquire the remaining shares in West Perth-based Bellamel Mining Ltd after its friendly takeover offer closed yesterday.