Business News

Qantas will conduct a 12-month trial of discounted airfares for six regional centres in Western Australia, following a similar move by Regional Express in July.

Marine technology company VEEM has delivered its first full-year results since listing on the ASX in October, with a better-than-expected normalised profit.

Tony Walsh has resigned as company secretary of Atlas Iron.Michael Anderson has resigned as non-executive director of Base Resources.

Heavy equipment supplier Emeco Holdings has its sights set on a positive year ahead, after narrowing its net loss to $180 million following a year of write-downs and the completion of a three-way merger.

Blackham Resources has locked in a $72 million funding deal with US-based investment group Lind Partners, which will be used to progress expansion plans at its Matilda gold mine.

Junior explorer Lithium Australia has announced plans to acquire a Brisbane-based battery cathode developer in an all-scrip deal worth about $7.3 million.

Doray Minerals has flagged a $71.7 million net loss for the 2017 financial year, on the back of a large impairment charge.

Coventry Group has advised that current chief executive Robert Bulluss will join the board as managing director and chief executive.

Perth-based Tox Free Solutions has announced a slightly lower full-year profit result while increasing its dividend payout to shareholders.

Copper-gold miner Sandfire Resources has announced a record dividend payout after a profitable 12 months.

Nationals WA leader Mia Davies has accused the state government of draining funds from the Royalties for Regions program into the $3 billion Metronet plan, saying an internal directive banning future use of the rural fund’s logo was the beginning of its winding-up.

Sam Diep has resigned as chief executive of VDM Group.

Northern Minerals has locked in a $US30 million ($A38 million) research and development loan facility with a US-based financier, as it progresses development of its Browns Range heavy rare earths project.

Special transport plans are being developed to handle expected crowds at Perth Stadium early next year, which will include an NRL double-header two weeks before the opening round of AFL games, and an Ed Sheeran concert that is now tipped to fill the venue. But the venue will not be able to host week-night AFL games before June 30.

Peter Hildebrandt is the new chief executive of Advanced Braking Technology.

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has returned to the black with a profitable 2017 financial year, driven in large part by a turnaround in its US operations.

Poseidon Nickel has entered into an agreement with Northern Star Resources to explore the use of its Black Swan operation to process gold ore.

PwC has appointed Michelle Tremain as the next managing partner, Perth. She will replace Justin Carroll in the role from the beginning of next year.

Mark Hohnen has been appointed non-executive director of Rift Valley Resources.

GR Engineering Services says it will continue to pursue legal action against Eastern Goldfields over its work at the Davyhurst operation, while also revealing it would defend Wolf Minerals’ $12.2 million claim notice over a project in England.

Perth-based Automotive Holdings Group has delivered a lower full-year net profit result on the back of restructures and one-off costs associated with its refrigerated logistics business.

Local gold explorer Breaker Resources has announced an $11.5 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Lake Roe project near Kalgoorlie.

Black Star Petroleum has appointed Donald Jones as non-executive director following the resignation of David Chee Cheong Low from the board.

Engineering group Clough has suffered from a massive fall in operating profit for the 2017 financial year, as revealed by South Africa-based parent company Murray & Roberts.

Mining services business Ausdrill has delivered a solid full-year result on the back of strong performance in its gold operations in Africa, and is targeting further growth in the year ahead.

Peet managing director Brendan Gore says strong market conditions on the east coast helped the land developer achieve a higher net profit for the 2017 financial year.

Adrienne Parker has joined Fleetwood Corporation as non-executive director.

The Western Force has won its right to appeal the Australian Rugby Union’s decision to axe the team, while the ARU is set to be on the receiving end of a fresh wave of criticism after knocking back a large financial offer from billionaire Andrew Forrest.

Henderson-based Civmec has reported a slump in profit but says most of its order book will be realised in the coming year.

David Whitaker, one of the founders of Thred, has resigned as its executive director.

Crown Towers Perth has been named Western Australia’s best deluxe accommodation hotel at an industry awards ceremony, beating the likes of COMO The Treasury and Pan Pacific Perth.