Higher consumption and exports have helped the national economy grow 0.9 per cent in the September quarter, ahead of forecasts, while Western Australian state final demand shrunk around 1.3 per cent.
Potato growers have poured cold water over reports earlier today that they’ll support deregulation of the industry, with the Potato Marketing Corporation saying it did not make any such recommendations and one senior grower representative labeling it a media stunt.
The state’s corporate donors still prefer their gifts to be in cash, while in-kind contributions have fallen away in favour of increased staff volunteering, according to the latest Giving West survey.
Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has recruited NRW Holdings chief operating officer, Graeme Dunn, to lead the company as its new managing director.
Oil prices have moved sideways as traders awaited the weekly US petroleum report and an OPEC meeting seen as unlikely to reduce output despite persistently weak prices.
Gold has risen for a second day, rebounding from last week's five-and-a-half-year low, as a retreat in the US dollar prompted investors to cover short positions ahead of a European Central Bank (ECB) meeting and US payrolls data this week.
The state government is stepping up efforts to deliver affordable housing options near transport links by seeking to partner with developers on seven sites across the city worth about $20 million.
Murdoch University has appointed Eeva Leinonen as its first female vice-chancellor, replacing Richard Higgott who resigned last year after being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
Western Australian merchandise exports were up 11.7 per cent for the September quarter, after five quarters of decline, while the national current account deficit fell 12 per cent to $18.1 billion.
The Australian share market has made strong gains as investors took heart from economic data out of China and prices for gold, oil and copper lifted in Asia.
Synergy chairman Lyndon Rowe has mapped out a detailed agenda for energy market reform, saying there would be catastrophic consequences if the government did not tackle market players with vested interests.
Decmil Group has continued to diversify its business from the struggling resources sector by acquiring Osborne Park-based telecommunications solutions provider SC Services.
The US dollar pared gains after hitting an eight month high against major currencies, while the prospect of further European Central Bank stimulus dragged the euro, and oil futures fell on worries about a growing supply glut.
Gold has lifted 1 per cent but remains close to its lowest level in almost six years, and is on track for its steepest monthly slide in two-and-a-half years on prospects of a US interest rate rise in 2015, as the US dollar hit a multi-month high.
