Energy

Increased downstream processing of Western Australia's mineral resources has for many years been the goal of successive governments.

BHP Billiton executive Megan Clark will become the new chief executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation when Geoff Gartlett finishes his term in December.

Marine building contractor McDermott Industries Australia has been cleared of allegations relating to unlawfully underpaying foreign workers on a gas pipeline project 130 kilometres off the coast of Karratha.

A major boost in the amount and value of iron ore exports has helped lift the nation's export earnings from mineral resources to a record $116 billion in the 2008 financial year, a commodity forecaster has reported.

Paladio Group Ltd's order book has been given a significant boost today after its subsidiary, Decmil Australia Pty Ltd, won an $80 million contract by Woodside Burrup Pty Ltd for the Pluto liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia.

Uranium mining, nuclear waste dumps and genetically modified foods barely rated as significant political issues when the state election was called last month, yet they have become major issues as the campaign has unfolded.

I think we should all be very concerned about whether we are producing a future workforce with the necessary skills to compete successfully in an increasingly competitive world.

IT'S the one issue that comes up time and again, in boardrooms and business forums across Western Australia.

The battle between Alan Carpenter and Colin Barnett may be dominating the media during this election campaign, but it could be the minor parties that end up holding the aces in the new government.