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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

Increasing wages may seem a strange way to cut costs and lift business efficiency, but that is one option proposed by visiting management expert, Verne Harnish.

As the first stages of the Northbridge Link project get under way, a number of developments in the East Perth Redevelopment Authority's New Northbridge precinct and surrounds are due for completion in the next 12 months.

Deep Yellow Ltd managing director Leon Pretorius has increased his direct and indirect interest in the company through the on-market acquisition of 4.3 million shares at a total cost of $1.3 million.

West Perth-based Carnegie Corporation has bought two new technologies, further strengthening its position as a diversified clean technology developer and operator.

A series of developments planned for Lord Street in Perth, near Members Equity Stadium, are the first steps towards what developers and the Town of Vincent hope will be a renewal of the area.

THE Subiaco Redevelopment Authority is selling Subi Centro's last commercial lot on Roberts Road by public tender, closing March 20.

A company that has applied aerospace-grade composite materials to the rehabilitation and strengthening of concrete and steel structures and equipment is preparing to launch a public offer to raise funds to commercialise the technology.

Selling or liquidation of selected shares from margin loan accounts in recent weeks has had an ongoing negative impact.

THE $21 million Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training, established to address the chronic shortage of skilled workers within the oil and gas industry, has welcomed its first intake of stud

Initial public offer activity for the non-mining sector in Western Australia appears to have come off last year's highs, with the lack of growth in the small- to mid-cap floats suggesting some companies are looking elsewhere for funding sources.

Western Australians are earning more than workers in any other state and the gap between the states is getting larger, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.

The Perth Convention Bureau has appointed Paul Beeson as director of business development. Gareth Martin has been appointed director of business development, filling a 12-month vacancy.

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.