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Palladium peaked to an all-time high overnight while gold gained on a weaker US dollar and as investors looked for clarity on future US interest rates after the Federal Reserve on Wednesday signalled a higher bar to further monetary easing.

The Australian share market has had its best day in two weeks, with most sectors posting gains after the US Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate.

Interest in equity crowdfunding is growing locally, after Rhinohide reached its investment goal and fellow Perth-based business Tiller Rides announced more than 300 investors have expressed interest in supporting its capital raising.

One of Australia's most experienced electoral officials has called for a major shakeup in the regulation and reporting of political donations at federal and state levels.

Matsa Resources is seeking to raise up to $6 million via a share placement, with a portion of the funds to go towards further development at its Red October gold project.

Mining services company Breight Group has established a specialist training centre in Belmont to lift the skill level of workers undertaking maintenance and shutdowns on mine sites.

Brickworks' full-year profit slipped 11.9 per cent to $154.6 million, with the company highlighting its WA operations as a specific weak point.

Another flurry of substantial share transactions from directors of Perth-based ASX-listed companies have occurred recently following the release of annual results, with David Singleton, Elizabeth Gaines and Rodney Leonard among those involved in the largest deals.

Western Australia's annual population growth rate has lifted slightly to 1 per cent but continues to lag the national growth rate of 1.6 per cent.

Copper and tin producer Metals X has launched a $32.7 million capital raising to turn around its struggling Nifty copper operation, less than three weeks after it refreshed its board at the behest of its largest shareholder.

Unemployment fell 0.1 percentage points in Western Australia in August to be 5.8 per cent, although the number of people employed full time fell by about 7,900.

WA Symphony Orchestra (WASO) has announced the appointment of Perth soprano Sara Macliver to its board of directors.

A truck driver has passed away following an accident at Independence Group's Nova nickel-copper mine in the Goldfields last week.

Australia's petroleum tax system will fail to raise much revenue, yet big producers won't be earning big profits either, according to oil industry consultant Juan Carlos Boue.

The federal budget was in a $700 million deficit in the 2018/19 financial year, the Final Budget Outcome report shows.

Joyce defends Qantas' bottom line

Oil prices retreated about 2.0 per cent overnight, extending the previous day's declines after Saudi Arabia's government said it would quickly restore full production following Saturday's attacks on its facilities and as US crude stockpiles rose unexpectedly.

Gold prices fell more than 1.0 per cent to a one-week low overnight, pulled down by a lack of clarity on future monetary policy decisions after a widely anticipated interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

The Australian share market has closed lower for the first time in six days, pinned down by a slump in the energy sector as oil prices retreated from recent highs.

Paringa Resources is seeking to raise $8.1 million, while Mali Lithium is on the hunt for $5.3 million, both via rights issues.

Premier Mark McGowan says the state government has not considered scrapping its foreign buyer surcharge for residential property to help smooth over tension with Western Australia's biggest trading partner, despite rising concern over risks to the state's economy.

The Royal Automobile Club has posted strong full-year revenue and profit figures, but the not for profit also wrote-down the value of two of its business ventures.

Consumers have saved $7.5 billion through the Economic Regulation Authority's tight leash on major utilities, according to chair Nicky Cusworth, but work is needed to make the state's rules regime more effective.

A recent Grattan Institute report has proposed a $1.6 billion reform package to make careers in teaching more attractive to students with strong ATAR scores.

OPINION: Listening to feedback can be confronting, but failure to do so can be detrimental to a school's performance.

Woodside Petroleum has signed a preliminary agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to German utility Uniper for 13 years starting in 2021, contingent on Woodside developing its Scarborough gas project.

ASX-listed investment fund Centuria will acquire Warrington Capital Partners' William Square office building in Northbridge for $189.5 million, in the highest value commercial property transaction in Perth since December last year.

Ananda Kathiravelu, a director of corporate finance firm Armada Capital, will face trial after being charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of market manipulation.

Ibaera Capital has made a hostile $27.4 million takeover bid for fellow West Perth-based company Azumah Resources, as the fund manager seeks to get both hands on its gold joint venture in West Africa.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting may have to pour more funds into the severely cash-strapped UK-based Sirius Minerals, after the company shelved a $US500 million bond issue for a multi-billion dollar potash project in the UK, blaming factors such as a lack of government support and Brexit uncertainty.

Family Business Australia has appointed a new state chairman in the same month it launches its national event, Family Business Day.

Ventia, a subsidiary of construction giant CIMIC Group, has won contracts for works at Great Eastern Highway between Walgoolan and Bodalin.