Edited announcement

The Law Reform Commission of Western Australia has released details of a planned overhaul of the State's homicide laws, including an expansion of sentencing options, which Attorney-General Jim McGinty has pledged to consider.

Balcatta-based Carnavale Resources Ltd will raise around $9.4 million through a placement to fund exploration programs planned for its Brazilian iron ore, molybdenum and gold projects in the 2008 calendar year.

Western Australia will host the 2011 International Sailing Federation Sailing World Championships, in an event the State Government will be the biggest of its kind since Fremantle's 1987 America's Cup defence.

Northbridge-based engineering and construction company VDM Group Ltd has added to its long list of acquisitions with two more, costing almost $40 million in cash and scrip.

West Perth-based clean energy developer Carnegie Corporation Ltd has completed its $14.8 million capital raising, through a private placement and share purchase plan, the company has announced.

The State Government will launch an inquiry into the operation of franchise businesses in WA, examining existing laws governing their operations.

Perth-based mineral explorer Arafura Resources NL has raised around $18.5 million through a placement to fund the operation of a rare earths treatment plant and further drilling at its Nolans project.

Mt Pleasant-based Centamin Egypt Ltd has raised around $114 million through an underwritten placement to Canadian investors, enabling it to pay out its debt and continue development of its Egyptian gold project.

West Perth-based Western Areas NL and Melbourne-based Troy Resources NL have signed an agreement to explore for nickel at Sandstone in Western Australia, the companies have announced.

Henderson-based ship builder Austal Ltd has blamed a difference of opinion between project partner General Dynamics and their client, the US Navy, for a cancelled order that has seen its share price fall 14 per cent today.

Planned development of West Perth-based mineral sands explorer Industrial Minerals Corporation Ltd's Oregon Heavy Minerals Project has hit a snag, with local residents appealing the government's approval of the project.

Talk of a correction to Perth's housing market is exaggerated, due to a lack an understanding of how the property market works in Western Australia, according to the Property Council of Australia.

Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd has won the 2007 MINEX Award, the mining industry's highest accolade for safety and health practices.

Malaga-based bottled water producer Refresh Group Ltd has sold its premises for $2.2 million, planning to use the money to repay bank borrowings and further grow its bottled water business.

West Perth-based Straits Resources Ltd subsidiary Straits Asia Resources Ltd will acquire the Jembayan coal mine in East Kalimantan for around $379 million, the company has announced.

Applecross-based engineering services giant Monadelphous Group Ltd has secured new construction projects worth around $180 million, the comapny has announced.

Leederville-based iron ore explorer Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has acquired three tenements adjacent to its namesake project for $4 million in cash and scrip, the company has announced.

The State Government has released the final management plan for the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park off the coast of Rockingham.

The National Australia Day Council has announced the State and Territory finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards 2008, with Western Australia's Mark Bin Bakar, George Jelinek, David Joske and Patricia Lavater among the nominees for the top prize.

The State Government will call for tenders to supply 26 gigawatt hours - five per cent of the energy it needs - from a renewable source, Energy Minister Francis Logan has announced.

Harvey Industries Group, trading as Harvey Beef, has appointed chief financial officer Michael Rapattoni to the role of Chief Executive Officer, the company has announced.

West Perth-based mineral explorer EnviroGold Ltd has closed its $16 million capital raising oversubscribed and two weeks ahead of schedule, the company has announced.

The State Government's Forest Products Commission has signed a $12 million deal with Nedlands-based Plantation Energy Ltd to supply low grade plantation pine logs to the company for use in its timber fuel pellet plant.

Perth-based commercial property investor Aspen Group Ltd's Aspen Parks Property Fund has acquired eight caravan parks in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales for a combined $54.6 million, the company has announced.

Osborne Park-based Fairstar Resources Ltd has hit back at a claim by its takeover target, Leederville-based gold explorer Golden West Resources Ltd, that the company had failed to outline tax consequences for shareholders accepting the offer.

West Perth-based gold and base metals explorer Shield Mining Ltd will not exercise an option to earn in on projects in Madagascar held by Canada-based Majescor Resources Inc, the company has announced.

The State Government has launched an advertising campaign to encourage businesses to take on more apprentices and trainees, after Education Department figures revealed employer numbers were not keeping pace with the growth in numbers of budding tradespeop

An $11 million collaboration between universities and the CSIRO to unlock stranded offshore oil and gas reserves through improved subsea pipeline design will be launched today at the University of Western Australia.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Range Resources Ltd has raised 4 million pounds through a placement of 18 million shares at 22 pence each on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market.

Subiaco-based Natural Fuel Ltd lost its chairman, former Liberal leader John Hewson, and two directors today, less than one week after releasing an annual report showing a net loss of $47.8 million.

West Perth-based Nare Diamonds Ltd and Continental Goldfields Ltd have received shareholder approval to change their names, the companies announced today.

Shares in Subiaco-based Strategic Minerals Corporation NL were down 10 per cent at close of trade after Oxiana Ltd announced it would not proceed to the second stage of a farm-in agreement over the Woolgar uranium project in Queensland.