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Parent support grows for kids to get back to class next week

Gold prices dropped nearly 2 per cent to a near two-week low overnight, while palladium slumped 15.5 per cent as investors scuttled for cash to cover losses in other asset classes mainly driven by a crash in oil markets as the coronavirus wrecks economies.

Brent oil futures prices plunged overnight, extending oil market panic into a second day as the coronavirus pandemic has obliterated demand for fuel.

The resources sector has enthusiastically embraced a new government-backed app designed to facilitate travel across Western Australia but the freight sector has been lukewarm in its response, despite being touted as a major beneficiary.

The Australian share market has plunged for a second day, falling to nearly a two-week low as US oil futures collapsed into negative territory.

There’s a lot of very positive talk about pandemic-driven politics, where ideology has allegedly taken a back seat to science, and leaders can change position quickly on the basis of new facts rather than being slammed for backflipping.

Roger Cook has revealed which procedures will be given priority when elective surgery resumes next week. WA has reported only one coronavirus case overnight. Regional WA will gain rapid virus testing that will produce results within an hour.

About one in five Western Australians in the hospitality and recreation sectors lost their jobs in a three-week period, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data suggests, while the RBA has flagged an economic recovery could begin in the September quarter with GDP growth accelerating to 7 per cent next year.

A historic overnight collapse in oil markets has not significantly shaken bigger ASX-listed energy producers today, but it does foreshadow continuing uncertainty for one of Western Australia’s largest export industries.

OPINION: Support for the resources sector across the political divide spans decades, and will again be vindicated when WA emerges from COVID-19 restrictions.

Consumer driven demand for grain-based products is good news for the farm sector.

Gold Road Resources remains on track to meet its full-year operating and cost guidance after reporting steady gold production for the March quarter and a healthy financial position.

Kerman Contracting has secured works on a laboratory at Rio Tinto’s Koodaideri mine site in the Pilbara under a new sub-contract with Scott Technology.

Premier Investments’ rent standoff with its landlords will continue at least until May 11, with the retail giant to continue not paying any rent until it can open its network of shops safely.

Power Ledger’s energy trading technology is set to be rolled out across a range of residential projects developed by Nicheliving, under a three-year deal unveiled this week.

IGO will take up nearly one fifth of shares in New Century Resources under a $51.1 million capital raising announced today.

Australian airline Regional Express (Rex) has been guaranteed at least one return service per week to most of its 59 destinations under the federal government’s regional airline support program.

Hard-border closures and a partial lockdown in WA are providing medical researchers with the opportunity to explore potentially life-saving COVID-19 treatments.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is increasing its capacity by 25 per cent in preparation for a potential increase in COVID-19 cases in the regions.

Hold the whiskey and the luxury dresses, WA manufacturing has shown its dynamism by shifting to sanitiser, scrubs and masks.

The nation still has a second airline - for now. But Virgin Australia has been told in no uncertain terms that it will have to save itself.

Andrew Forrest has run a nimble and remarkably successful campaign to procure medical equipment from China, while WA’s healthcare community has rallied to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic.

BHP's iron ore production is on track to meet full year guidance and is reviewing the forecast for copper amid the perils of the coronavirus.

The Australian share market has followed Wall Street lower after US crude oil futures turned negative for the first time amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut.

Ailing Virgin's crash landing

US crude oil futures collapsed below $US0 for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $US37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil.

Gold climbed as much as 1 per cent overnight after earlier hitting a more-than one-week low, with the collapse of US crude oil prices to a record low hitting risk assets and driving investors to the safety of bullion.

Australian stocks have suffered their worst loss in three weeks after the price of oil was smashed to its lowest level since 1999.

Virgin Australia is declining to comment on media reports it will file for voluntary administration due to the coronavirus lockdowns.

Technology company K2fly has signed a three-year contract with Belgium-based Sibelco, which will use the company’s resource reporting software across 60 international sites.

Billionaires Andrew Forrest and Kerry Stokes will combine their resources and expertise to redevelop the historic East Perth Power Station, after the state government unveiled Minderoo Group and Australian Capital Equity as its preferred redevelopment partners.

The conditions that have slowed growth in WA’s lithium sector won’t last forever and there are some great opportunities for companies taking the long-term view.