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Liberals will quash new gold royalty rise attempt

The Australian dollar has recovered some ground against its US counterpart, which was weaker against major currencies and after the central bank governor reiterated confidence in the interest rate trajectory.

Oil edged up on Tuesday, supported by expectations that OPEC and other producing countries next week would extend output cuts, but signs of higher U.S. crude output kept prices under pressure.

Gold bounced up slightly on Tuesday, as a weaker U.S. dollar gave bullion a boost after the previous day's sharp decline and as investors awaited the minutes, due on Wednesday, of the Federal Reserve meeting held in November.

Western Australian avocado farmer Jennifer Franceschi has won a category in the national Telstra Businesswoman of the year awards, although News South Wales-based refugee advocate Violet Roumeliotis took out the top prize.

One of the state’s largest property holders, Perron Group, has appointed former Cedar Woods Properties managing director Paul Sadleir to its board.

Company director and business adviser David Humann, whose roles included chairing nickel miner Mincor Resources and contractor Macmahon Holdings and being a member of the global board of accounting firm Price Waterhouse (now PwC), has passed away after a short illness.

Engineering and construction contractor Monadelphous Group has painted a positive outlook after tough trading conditions in recent years, with the company tipping strong revenue growth in the current financial year.

Faced with the confines of a small block, local property developer and architectural practice Baltinas turned to innovative design for its recent residential project on Mount Street in West Perth.

Perth-based telecommunications provider Swift Networks has secured multi-year contracts at three Western Australian lithium mine sites.

The share market has edged higher due to modest gains in most sectors, while the Reserve Bank's concerns about slow wages growth have driven the Australian dollar to a five-month low.

Battery Minerals has announced a $20 million capital raising, primarily through a strongly supported share placement, ensuring the company can progress at its graphite projects in Mozambique.

Several initiatives have emerged in a bid to reduce Perth’s office vacancies and revitalise the city’s older buildings.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt has announced details of a new gold royalty increase that is budgeted to raise $332 million over four years while seeking to address the industry concerns that killed off his previous proposal, but the new plan has failed to win support.

Tap Oil major shareholder Risco Energy Investments has notified the company of its intention to overhaul the company's board at the next planned annual meeting in February.

A Brazilian court has granted an additional 150 days for BHP Billiton, Vale and their joint venture, Samarco, to negotiate a settlement of multi-billion dollar public civil claims over the 2015 mine dam collapse in that country.

The banking regulator is still concerned about the size of the mortgages being taken on by consumers despite the effectiveness of its efforts to curtail housing market risks.

The Reserve Bank remains doubtful about the timing of a return to meaningful growth in wages and a boost to stagnant inflation.

China's great environmental clean-up is starting to produce knock-on effects in Western Australia, with none more interesting than the ‘quality clash’ in the iron ore sector.

Australian shares have reversed Monday's losses and opened stronger following positive finishes in the US overnight.

PM flags tax cuts for battlers

The Australian dollar is lower against a slightly strengthened US dollar as some risk sentiment unexplainably returns to the markets.

Oil prices have fallen, extending recent weakness ahead of next week's OPEC meeting, while a rally in the US dollar hurt commodities across the board.

Gold has fallen more than one per cent, giving up the prior session's gains on pressure from the rising dollar, expectations for US interest rate hikes and as the market entered a holiday week.

Quality Builders, Maintenance and Construction Services Australia, Woodland Contractors, Orixon, and Fleetwood Corporation have shared in a $100 million panel contract for the state-wide provision

ATM operator Stargroup has been placed in the hands of insolvency firm KordaMentha after the loss-making company was unable to complete a restructure of its $9.1 million debt.

Much sought-after for her directorial talents, Clare Watson is now in the midst of showcasing her debut for Black Swan Theatre Company, Let the Right One In.

The Australian share market has closed lower despite recovering much of the ground lost in early trade due to a negative lead from overseas markets

Shares in junior mining explorers Draig Resources and St George Mining have nearly doubled today after both companies announced positive drilling results.

SPECIAL REPORT FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: The annual Business News remuneration survey has data and in-depth analysis on hundreds of WA company directors and executives. We identify the top earners, including the people who qualified for large bonuses and equity incentives, in some cases year after year. The survey also reveals a big jump in the number of WA people who earned incomes of $1 million or more last financial year.

Perth-based Altona Mining has negotiated a scrip-based takeover deal that will see the aspiring copper miner bought by Canada's Copper Mountain Mining but its shares remain well short of the 17 cents valuation of the takeover scheme.

Rob Spadaccini’s business has come a long way in 20 years – from renovations, extension works and small homes, to building multi-million dollar residences of national acclaim.