Mark Beyer

Perth-based construction, fabrication and maintenance companies AusGroup and Civmec have proved resilient in the face of the resource sector slowdown, with AusGroup today joining its competitor in reporting solid growth over the past year.

The last day of the profit reporting season delivered a few surprises for Western Australia-based mining services companies, with NRW Holdings incurring a bigger-than-expected loss, VDM Group shrinking at a rapid rate, Swick Mining Services showing some promise, and Resource Development Group staying in the black.

SPECIAL REPORT: Two years on, the surge in ASX backdoor listings shows little sign of slowing, helping innovative technology businesses in Perth, interstate and overseas to raise capital.

The latest round of annual reports has revealed some highly unusual movements in chief executive remuneration, including at Monadelphous Group and Mineral Resources.

The Town of Port Hedland council voted last night to privatise the regional airport through a long-term leasing deal with AMP Capital and Infrastructure Capital Group, which will run the regional airport for 50 years.

EY partner Vince Smith has been appointed liquidator of six funds management companies associated with the late David Jones, following a successful court application by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Diversified miner South32 is looking to cut its operating costs by 7.5 per cent over the next three years, with a particular focus on payments to contractors.

The Town of Port Hedland is poised to complete Western Australia’s biggest privatisation in 15 years, with a consortium led by AMP Capital set to pay $165 million for a 50-year lease over the town’s airport.

The corporate watchdog is considering an update to its disclosure policy for prospectuses, one week after uncertainty over the policy contributed to the collapse of a high-profile backdoor listing deal.