Mark Beyer

Buru Energy has announced a major change in its Canning Basin exploration program after disappointing early results, saying today it was looking to release the specially-built rig it had contracted to use this year.

Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane today launched a new centre dedicated to research in the resources sector, but was coy on whether Canberra would support a similar body that Woodside has been pushing for the oil and gas sector.

The lack of competition for small business lending needs to come under scrutiny at the federal government’s financial system inquiry.

Premier Colin Barnett has launched a blunt attack on the gas industry, saying it doesn’t understand Australia, had left his government swinging “high and dry” and needed to do more for the domestic market.

The Franchise Council of Australia has criticised planned federal government reforms, claiming there is inconsistency between Small Business Minister Bruce Billson’s stated intentions and draft changes to the franchising code of conduct.

WA’s population growth rate has slowed, but the state and the country as a whole is still growing fast and in ways that have profound implications.

A major international franchise chain is preparing the ground for an assault on WA’s retail convenience sector.

Michael Fotios, who made a fortune backing gold miner Northern Star Resources, is heading back to the stockmarket to tap into what he calls “a marked increase in investor interest over the last 3 months”.

There is a fascinating divergence between the mining industry and government in how they view investment in the Pilbara.