Latest Headlines

Matt Mckenzie with today's top headlines including Sun Cable, the Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link and data on inflation and job vacancies.

Hotter-than-expected domestic inflation has failed to dampen the local bourse, which climbed 0.9 per cent to its highest level since mid-December.

Warrego Energy bidders Hancock Prospecting and Strike Energy have traded blows over the takeover battle for the Perth Basin gas play after Strike's off-market bid opened.

Alinta Energy has failed in its bid to stop pre-action discovery in an ongoing legal clash with Downer EDI over the $165 million Chichester Solar Gas project.

Ambitious plans to develop the world's largest solar energy network in the NT have gone awry after a disagreement between billionaire backers Andrew Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes.

One of Margaret River's oldest and most prestigious wine brands, Cape Mentelle, has been sold by its French owner in an estimated $20 million deal with a major Australian retail group.

Perth-based explorer Azure Minerals is set to receive a $20 million investment from global lithium producer SQM to boost its Pilbara project.

Head contractors for the state government's $1.86 billion Forrestfield Airport Link have claimed project costs escalated by more than $17 million in their lawsuit with engineering firm GHD.

Updated: The WA gas market has been boosted by the restart of Chevron's Wheatstone domestic gas plant, but Alcoa will not yet return to full alumina production.

The property fund paid $15 million for the retail asset, anchored by Coles.

More jobs are available in Western Australia than the number of people looking for work, as strong demand propels the economy.

Food, housing and transport costs continue to smash households with inflation hitting 7.3 per cent nationally in the 12 months to November.

The government is considering a tariff on polluting imports so that Australian firms covered by environmental regulations can remain competitive.

Labor caps carbon price

David Honey says the state will need to fast-track new gas projects, and warned industry could take weeks to recover from ongoing outages.

Major resources companies have joined the Kimberley floods recovery effort by donating $3.8 million to the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund Appeal.

The local share market has closed lower for just the second time this year amid more "higher for longer" interest rate talk from Fed officials.

The Norwest Energy board has recommended its shareholders reject Mineral Resources' takeover offer, claiming the $403 million bid was “opportunistically timed”.

Matt Mckenzie with today's top stories including the record harvest, changes to national emissions policy, rising rental prices and a Civmec contract win.

The nation's largest carbon polluters are one step closer to facing tighter emission rules after the federal government proposed reforms to its Safeguard Mechanism.

A private girls' school is proposing to build a new performing arts facility at its Attadale campus, including a 650-seat auditorium.

Australia's largest grain handler CBH Group says its Western Australian harvest has surpassed the previous year's record with 21.7 million tonnes of crop received so far.

Construction and engineering services provider Civmec has secured a $330 million contract for work at Rio Tinto's Paraburdoo mine site.

Perth-based Catalyst Metals announced it has agreed on $66 million for its off-market scrip takeover bid of Sydney-headquartered gold explorer Vango Mining.

Perth's rental prices grew by 11 per cent in 2022, reflecting the trend across the country, but rental growth and residential listings slowed in the December quarter.

The treasurer has met with his counterparts from the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand to discuss the challenges facing their economies.

More needs to be done to entice migrants to settle in the regions, says the Regional Australia Institute, including better advertising for regional jobs.

Clough workers walk off WA gas project

Matt Mckenzie reads the latest news about the state's gas supply crunch, Julian Walter's big Kojonup property deal, Tianqi Lithium, and Fortescue Metals Group.

The local share market has finished 0.6 per cent higher, with nine out of its 11 official sectors gaining ground.

Western Australian company Catalyst Metals has flagged a takeover of Vango Mining, confirming it was already in talks to acquire the Sydney-based gold explorer.

Adelaide-based Core Lithium is relocating its head office to Perth, citing the location's large talent pool and access to mining services providers as reasons for the move.