Government

THE global financial crisis may be pushing down energy prices, but there are concerns that this could ultimately hurt local power users more than benefit them.

WELL It's time to face it. You take the most pessimistic analysis of the global economic situation and we're in for tough times.

AT first glance it's hard to imagine there's much similarity between running warehouse hardware stores and private hospitals.

WOMEN in the resources sector are mystified why none of their number were called up for a new committee to advise state Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore (pictured).The 12-man group consists m

A REPORT released this week has provided the first accurate and detailed picture of the Western Australian forestry industry, which employs 5,570 people, half of whom rely on native forest resources.

BRIEFCASE is amazed at the poor understanding of market dynamics shown by many commentators and self-appointed analysts.

ONCE the most energetic and successful married couple in global mining, Phil and Viv Snowden have re-emerged after 18 months with plans to take on a new industry - wine.

KEVIN Reynolds' 34-year reign as Western Australian representative to the federally registered Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union could end this week when the results of the union's election are released.

BARACK Obama made the sale. Sixty three million people were sold on his potential ability to lead and govern. And they did so without the benefit of actually seeing what he will do.

THERE was an increase of more than 50,000 full-time workers in Western Australia for the year to August 2008, with a total of 842,500 full-time employees in the state.

MINES and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has announced the formation of a 12-member industry working group, chaired by former resources minister Peter Jones, to advise on ways to improve the state

REDEPLOYMENT has become the new buzzword in Western Australian human resources circles, most notably in the engineering services sector, which involves a number of the state's largest employers.

The inaugural meeting of the Economic Audit Committee, the group tasked with examining the operational and financial performance of the Western Australian public sector, has taken place today launching the four-month review.

The Western Australian government has set aside almost $6 million in funding for major regional projects.

Uranium exploration companies, Uranex NL and Energy and Minerals Australia have joined the collective voice of uranium mining groups, politicians and business lobby groups in applauding the Western Australian government's decision to lift the ban on urani

Mac's $15bn global fire sale; Coal, ore exports to drop by $30bn; Reynolds wins construction union vote; Wealth slump fuels case for more rate cuts; Citi, ABN the latest to slash finance jobs

Former Canberra bureaucrat Peter Conran has been formally appointed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, a key policy adviser role in the Barnett government.

Anchor Foods has received the overall prize at the inaugural Westpac Food and Beverage Industry Awards held last week.

Mineral Resources has forecast its profits in the FY2009 could potentially fall by 32 per cent following this financial year's profit growth of 133 per cent.

Forestry Minister Terry Redman has launched a plan for the oil mallee industry to capitalise on opportunities presented by the future carbon pollution reduction scheme.

Western Australia's uranium players have jumped up in trading today after the state government yesterday lifted a ban on uranium mining, a move strongly backed by WA business lobby groups.

The Australian dollar was lower at noon, after losing about 0.5 US cents following the release of the Reserve Bank of Australia's November board meeting minutes.

The nation's nuclear science chief says lifting the ban on new uranium mines in Western Australia will prove a positive step for the cause of nuclear energy, although the federal government will ensure any moves are closely regulated.

Resource state lifts its ban on uranium mines; Lion Nathan's $8bn bid fails to impress Coca-Cola; BHP under fire as market tips deeper ore price cuts; Japan recession hits markets; Labor's $2bn bid to save car yards

Five leading WA engineers and industry members have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

The best of Western Australia's regional small businesses were applauded for their service and support to the community at the 2008 GWN Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards held last week.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has announced the formation of a 12-member industry working group, chaired by former Resources Minister Peter Jones, to advise on ways to improve the state's exploration and development approvals process.

Iluka Resources has received government approval for its Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands project in South Australia.

Retail sales in the September quarter were virtually flat, signalling that more interest rate cuts are on the way amid a decline in consumer confidence, economists say.

G20 backs new growth push; Windfall will go to WA and Victoria; BHP faces ore export plunge; Collapse of ABC to fuel legal overhaul; Ban all native forest logging - Conservation Council

Today marks the third birthday of the Daily Business Alerts service, which broke new ground in November 2005 when it started providing Western Australia's business community with breaking daily news in what was then the early stages of a long bull run.

Privately owned miner Consolidated Minerals has been hit by plunging commodity prices, advising staff this week that it plans to close two of its Western Australian mines and cut employment of staff and contractors by 180 positions.