Edited announcement

The Public Transport Authority has signed a $21.8 million settlement with the RailLink Joint Venture as a fixed payment for the contractor's delay and extension of time claims on the Southern Suburbs Railway.

From July 1, Western Australian business and households will save money though a variety of tax reforms and changes, according to the State Government.

Engine technology company Orbital Corporation Ltd has announced a $2.7 million capital injection into its half-owned manufacturing arm Synerject LLC as part of a new financing package.

West Perth based exploration and investment company Hardman Resources Ltd has appointed Bob Carrol as its new chairman, succeeding Alan Burns, who will step down from the role on July 3.

Patrick O'Connor, former managing director of Churchill Capital, has taken another step towards his planned public investment company launch by resigning today as non-executive chairman of Perth healthcare company Acuron Ltd.

Shareholders in an Australian surfwear specialist Optima Corporation Ltd have voted in favour of the $4.5 million acquisition of the nation's fastest growing scooter business - Western Australia's Vmoto Motorcycles Australia.

Heavy mineral sands explorere Omegacorp Ltd has raised $10.8 million through a placement of 20.8 million ordinary shares at 52c each, to finance the company's Kariba Uranium project in Zambia.

Welshpool-based water and power solutions company Solco Ltd has announced an estimated loss before income tax, depreciation and atomisation of $2.3 million for the 2005-2006 financial year.

After a placement of 13.3 million shares, West Perth-based energy company Wasabi Energy Ltd will acquire a 50 per cent interest in a new company, after raising $400,000 from the placement.

Kwinana-based industrial services provider Tox Free Solutions Ltd announced its agreement to acquire Henderson-based Specialized Tank Cleaning Services for a maximum $7.5 million, one week after Tox Free announced its takeover of GrimeFighters FluidClean.

Cannington-based security technology group QRSciences Holdings Ltd has announced a proposed acquisition of Baxall Australia Ltd, the Australian arm, of closed circuit TV camera development and manufacturing firm Baxall UK.

Leederville based iron ore developer Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has secured the services of Ian Burston to develop its namesake mine in the Pilbara.

In what could be the first sign of recovery for a beleagured iiNet, the company has surpassed its 100,000 customer target for its ADSL2+ broadband infrastructure, set for June 2006.

Morley shopping centre Centro Galleria, the largest asset in the Centro Retail Trust's Australian portfolio, has increased its value 14.5 per cent - the fourth highest increase across the portfolio.

Northbridge-based consulting and construction firm VDM group announced the successful completion of its placement of eight million shares, raising $12 million at an issue price of $1.50 per share.

The WA state government has ensured a recent High Court case will not impede its ability to receive stamp duty on exchanges of private unit trusts, approved the drafting of amendments which protect the current conditions of the Stamp Act 1921.

South Perth based mining company Mutiny Gold Ltd has lowered the minimum subscription rate for its Initial Public Offer to $1.5 million after announcing it had reached its minimum subscription level of $2 million earlier this month.

Since announcing their on market buy back of up to 10 million shares in May this year, West Perth-based oil and gas production and exploration company Tap Oil Ltd has bought almost 600,000, at a cost of just over $1 million.

Perth-based skin and burns treatment company Clinical Cell Culture Ltd today announced that Canada's health products regulatory body had approved its ReCell tissue harvesting device for commercial sales in Canada.

Coming out of yesterday's trading halt, Perth-based property developer Aspen Group Ltd has announced that it has raised $50 million via a conditional placement of shares within the institutional sector.

West-Perth based Oil exploration company Oilex NL hopes to raise $20 million through a share placement to fund its development and exploration programs in India, Oman and Australia.

WA Premier Alan Carpenter departs Perth today on an 11 day trade mission to Japan and Korea.

Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance has called on the Federal Government to rethink the Fuel Tax Bill, which threatens the future for a biofuels industry in Western Australia.

Henderson-based shipbuilders Austal Ltd today announced it expected to perform above market expectations of $36 million net profit in its full-year result, due to "once-off benefits".

Former Queensland Rhodes Scholar and political scientist Professor Don Markwell has been appointed to lead The University of Western Australia's academic programs as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).

Former WA Newspapers chief executive Ian Law has made his first move as chief of Australian Consolidated Press Magazines Ltd, offloading the company's events and exhibitions arm, Exhibitions and Trade Fairs Pty Ltd, to commercial services company AAV Ltd

Increasing demand for beauty and health products in Hong Kong and mainland China has prompted Austrade, the Australian Government's export promotion agency, to recommend Australian business take advantage of opportunities in the region.

Nedlands-based industrial services provider Tox Free Solutions Ltd has acquired Kalgoorlie waste management company GrimeFighters FluidClean Pty Ltd for $2 million cash, plus shares in Tox Free to the value of $440,000.

The state government has created the new role of land release coordinator to free up more land for housing, a pressing issue raised by the property industry.

Trade in West Perth-based Oilex NL shares was halted earlier today pending an announcement.

The State Government has launched plans to identify the future skills needs of Western Australian industry to win more national defence contracts.

Canadian company Gemcom Software International Inc has made a $14.6 million private placement deal to help fund its $34 million acquisition of West Perth-based mining software provider Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd.