The Australian oil and gas industry achieved its best occupational health and safety result on record in 2004, according to a new report from the Australian Petroleum Prod-uction and Exploration Association
A new Perth-based charity providing voluntary medical services to Africa will be launched next week with the support of local mining and exploration companies engaged in the continent.
A recent PhD study undertaken at the University of Western Australia has outlined the link between foreign direct investment in China by OECD countries and higher trade volumes.
Junior nickel miner Sally Malay Mining is on the lookout for additional production material to feed its state-of-the-art plant at its namesake mine in the Kimberley.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA believes this year’s higher oil prices will only become inflationary if the price of crude continues to rise over the longer term.
INCOMING Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, says the Federal Government is keen to access the experience of businesses that deal with Indonesia to further strengthen Australia’s diplomatic relationships in the region.
The recent discovery of avian influenza in the Northern Hemisphere has heightened concerns over the possible impact of an outbreak on the local poultry industry, worth over $180 million in annual revenues.
Western Australia’s smaller clothing manufacturers are facing supply problems from China as larger US and European importers capitalise on the easing of trade restrictions.
Supply problems from China have emerged this year in the local clothing industry with smaller orders put on hold as the Chinese deal with larger volumes from the US and Europe.
Recent multi-million dollar investments in the state’s resources sector have paid off as unprecedented growth in the past four years continues on the back of higher commodity prices.
The housing and resources booms in Western Australia’s so-called ‘V8 economy’ have been credited with the state’s above-average performance, but higher prices are creeping into the picture as the cycle is prolonged.
The State Government budget surplus of $1.24 billion in 2004-05 was the strongest result ever, underpinned to a large extent by higher royalties collected from the booming resources sector.
Western Australia’s tourism industry celebrated a good year in 2004-05, a period during which ground was made in growing the state’s share of the market.
By far the most dominant demographic influence on the Western Australian economy – and most developed economies for that matter – is that of the baby boomers.
Returns in the farm sector were mixed in 2004-05, both in volume and value terms, but good rainfall in the state’s agricultural areas during the past two months will ensure a strong harvest this year across most commodities.
The state’s economy is showing no signs of cooling its demand for additional emplo-yment capacity, with all signs pointing to a further tightening as the skilled labour market feels the pinch of shortages across the board.
