Professions

The University of Western Australia has lost a Federal Court battle over the ownership of intellectual property held by its former employee Dr Bruce Gray and the company he founded, Sirtex Medical Ltd.

Visiting WA Dave Snowden, founder and chief scientific officer, Cognitive Edge, UK, to speak at ‘Global Convergence: Answers to Management and Compliance’ on May 1.

The multi-million dollar fortunes of Paladin Energy Ltd chairman Rick Crabb and company secretary Gillian Swaby are at risk after the company disclosed that about half their shares are subject to margin loans with failed lender Lift Capital.

Stock market volatility has put a dampener on the number of Western Australian companies that floated during the March quarter, but surprisingly, the amount of funds raised was 75 per cent higher than in the same period last year.

The market value of Western Australia’s biggest listed companies tumbled by 7.4 per cent in March to $160.7 billion.

It’s surprising that the ongoing revelations of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s close contacts with former Premier Brian Burke have sparked so little media attention

Darrel Jarvis' 10 year attempt to build a global wine group is in jeopardy following Palandri Wine Group's decision to appoint voluntary administrators today after being pressed by a major creditor.

Darrel Jarvis' 10 year attempt to build a global wine group may have come to an end following Palandri Wine Group's decision to appoint voluntary administrators today.

ADELAIDE corporate law firm, Johnson Winter & Slattery, has continued its national expansion, recruiting two senior Freehills partners to establish a Perth office.

The flood of initial public offers on the Australian bourse of recent times may be reduced to a trickle in the first half of 2008, as investors and company vendors seek clarity on the direction of equities markets, interest rates and the US economy.

An independent expert's report by Deloitte Corporate Finance has concluded that Arc Australia Ltd's proposed acquisition of Anzon Australia Ltd is fair and reasonable.

Engineering and construction company Clough Ltd has appointed Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as its new auditor, replacing PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Junior exploration company Chameleon Mining NL has commenced legal action against iron ore miner Murchison Metals Ltd, even though Murchison has previously dismissed Chameleon's claims as baseless.

The relationship between the PharmAust Ltd board and its former managing director, Paul D’Sylva, has further soured with the company initiating legal action over his handling of the business.

Victoria-based Great Gold Mines NL will acquire Nedlands-based uranium explorer Ellendale Resources NL through a scrip issue, worth over $14 million, the companies have announced.

Bobbie-Jean Taylor has joined Midland Brick as human resources manager.

Nedlands-based Lodestar Minerals Ltd, a subsidiary of Dioro Exploration Ltd, has launched its prospectus, aiming to raise $5 million in its initial public offer to pursue nickel exploration over Dioro's Penfolds project.

The booming advisory market in Perth is creating some musical chairs among the key players, with corporate lawyer Justin Mannolini heading to Gresham Advisory Partners Ltd, prompting Freehills to fill the vacancy by appointing a new partner, Simon Reed.

West Perth-based electrical engineering and control systems group LogiCamms Ltd aims to raise $10 million in its initial public offer, the company has announced.

Edith Cowan University chancellor Hendy Cowan (above) has been appointed by the West Coast Eagles to head an independent investigation into the club, following the announcement of a separate investiga

Perth-based gold exploration company Silver Lake Resources has closed its $30 million initial public offer early, due to significant public interest, the company has announced.

Perth entrepreneur and former University of WA academic Dr Bruce Gray has commenced further legal action against the company he established, Sirtex Medical Ltd, claiming unreasonable restraint of trade.

In a week where three Western Australian resources companies made their debuts on the Australian Securities Exchange, Leederville-based gold explorer Midwinter Resources NL has come out on top - up 72 per cent on its offer price.

One of the many Western Australian law firms to benefit from the local resources boom has recognised an opportunity on another continent where local miners are prominent. Minter Ellison’s Perth office has established an African centre of excellence to

France-based global electrical distributor Rexel has snapped up Perth company EIW Holdings for an undisclosed sum.

Perth-based tin and nickel miner Stonehenge Metals Ltd will acquire an 85 per cent stake in an Indonesian nickel project for a cash and scrip issue, the company has announced.

UK-based industrial services company Cape plc’s local spending spree looks set to hit more than $430 million in the past few months after securing acceptance from the board of its latest target PCH Group Ltd.

UK-based industrial services company Cape plc looks set to complete its third WA-focused takeover in as many months after scaffolding and form-work supplier PCH Group Ltd accepted a sweetened $247 million offer.

Confirming the suspicions of many in the industry, a pre-existing wine oversupply and a strong dollar put pressure on the profits of smaller wineries in 2005-06, according to a survey by Deloitte and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia

Fremantle Ports’ intention to call for expressions of interest for the 1,600 square metre B Shed at Victoria Quay has led its current tenant, Fremantle Motor Museum, to consider possible legal action and assess alternative sites to house its vintage cars.

Leading shareholders of Orbital Corp have made an unsuccessful attempt top entice billionaire founder Ralph Sarich to reinvest in the Balcatta engine technology company.The West

Peter Dawson has been appointed executive director of KPMG’s financial advisory services division in Perth.