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US stocks have finished higher after mixed economic data and corporate earnings as a two-day US Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting got under way.

The Future of Financial Advice legislation, which came into effect in July 2013, is undergoing more changes.

SPECIAL REPORT: The changing profile of the Water Corporation’s $1 billion works program will present more direct opportunities for smaller contractors.

SPECIAL REPORT: International contractor Kentz and local companies Monadelphous and NRW Holdings were the big winners among civil and engineering construction contractors over the past 12 months, research by Business News has found.

SPECIAL REPORT: With new project work from the resources and government sectors slowing down, contractors will need to look harder for work opportunities.

A Perth-based liquidator has failed to adequately carry out its duties and been ordered to improve its procedures following an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

Former foreign affairs and defence minister Stephen Smith has been appointed a professor of international law at The University of Western Australia.

The final results of the re-run Western Australian Senate election have been announced, confirming Labor's assumption it has missed out on a second seat.

BGC Development has received approval to go ahead with the third stage of its $97 million Tribeca apartment project at Springs Rivervale.

The share market's seven day winning streak has ended due to significant falls in the bank and mining sectors.

Fallen West Australian treasurer Troy Buswell has offered an apology after being fined $3,100 and disqualified from driving for one year over 11 traffic offences in one night.

Roc Oil and Horizon Oil have struck an $800 million deal to merge their assets, with the combined company looking to produce up to 20,000 barrels of oil per day.

Nickel producers Western Areas and Panoramic Resources are looking to increase annual production amid a rebound in the price of the industrial metal.

A Scarborough-based paving business and its sole director have been fined a total of $20,000 for falsely claiming it was a member of the Master Builders Association.

Troy Resources managing director and chief executive Paul Benson has given notice of his resignation after nearly seven years at the head of the gold and silver producer.

Northern Star Resources has doubled its March quarter gold production after finalising the acquisition of three Barrick Gold assets during the period.

History shows that only time will tell whether an asset's price was optimal.

The Australian share market is again higher, continuing the gains of the last seven consecutive trading days.

Coles' supermarkets and liquor stores sold $6.73 billion worth of goods during the March quarter, an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to a year earlier.

People earning more than $80,000 will be in the firing line if the federal government pushes ahead with a national debt levy.

The Australian dollar is weaker after stronger US data gave the greenback a boost.

US stocks have finished mostly higher as investors absorb new sanctions on Russia and look ahead to a busy week of economic news and earnings.

Oil prices have fallen in London but edged higher in New York with fresh Western sanctions on Moscow milder than feared and Libya taking more steps to increase exports.

Business conditions among small and medium-sized firms in Western Australia have declined despite the national average jumping to a four-year high.

SPECIAL REPORT: Perth Airport is upgrading its facilities to give passengers an enhanced travelling experience.

SPECIAL REPORT: The $10.6 billion Royalties for Region scheme has come under attack from the ERA, but Paul Rosair says the program is worth more than its cost and expenditure.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Economic Regulation Authority has dismissed calls from several industry bodies for the creation of an independent infrastructure advisory body, saying it is an added cost unlikely to contribute much.

Megara Developments managing director Matthew Pickford says his company was simply in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the Pilbara’s building boom.

The Australian share market has closed higher for the seventh straight session due to support for high yielding local stocks.

The $1 billion return of cleaning and catering services firm Spotless Group to the share market is set to be the largest listing in nearly four years.

Oakajee is being rejuvenated not so much as a mining project but more as an infrastructure play.

In this week’s edition of Business News Background, head of content Mark Pownall, news editor Mark Beyer and host James Lush discuss WA’s infrastructure strategy, or lack thereof, the contractors winning work on big projects, WA’s economic prospects and the Padbury Mining saga.