Government

WINNING an award can be a good way to get a business known and increase of customers; but White Salt owners Tim and Claire Leech say it's also a great staff retention tool.

STRATEGY, psychology, risk assessment - the card game of bridge sounds like the perfect accompaniment to the political career of David Wawn.

WESTERN Australian businesses and recruiters have expressed concerns over possible cuts to Australia's migration intake, calling for a state-based approach to immigration quotas.

TOP executive salaries in Australia's 100 largest listed companies increased three times the average adult wage from 2001 to 2007 and more than five times greater than the consumer price index, according to a recent national survey.

THERE has to be some advantage in being the only chink in otherwise wall-to-wall Labor governments across Australia.

THE buoyant economic conditions that prompted the recent wave of new retail developments in the Perth CBD are starting to turn, and while inquiries from retailers remain strong, a downturn in retail spending may dampen demand.

The state opposition has called the Liberal government insensitive after Premier Colin Barnett confirmed he was considering scrapping plans to name the new Northbridge theatre after actor Heath Ledger.

Premier Colin Barnett is on a rebuilding rampage, today suggesting the $500 million Perth museum, slated for a new home at the East Perth Power Station, be reconstructed at its current Northbridge home.

North West Tourism has urged Jetstar Airlines to keep Broome on its radar as a possible second Western Australian hub for flights to Asia.

RBA races to rescue of plunging dollar; Japan shares hit 26-year low; More funds put in deep freeze; Tougher lobster laws to lift prices; Miners cut costs as metals plummet

Peter Shergold, John Langoulant and Cathy Nance have been named in the state government's economic audit group that will review the operation and financial performance of the public sector.

Premier Colin Barnett has outlined the state government's top infrastructure priorities in a submission to the federal government's Infrastructure Australia fund.

A handful of Perth companies, Macmahon Holdings Ltd, Monadelphous Group Ltd and Nomad Building Solutions Ltd, have had their recommendations changed by analysts at brokerage Hartleys.

The state's largest credit society, Police & Nurses Credit Society, has pledged it will pass on in full any rate cut made by the Reserve Bank of Australia at its upcoming November meeting.

Alcoa's Kwinana refinery was awarded the minerals processing plant of the year at the annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards last week.

Aussie dollar hammered as market prepares for another fall; Jobs to go as CBA swings the axe; Toymaker faces cash crunch, pair quit; US looks to fix ailing insurers; Funds call for guarantee

West Perth-based Automotive Holdings Group Ltd says it is working to replace its existing network of finance providers after major financier GMAC Finance Services withdrew from the local market due to the global credit squeeze.

The state's business lobby group is urging the federal government to come to Western Australia to discuss the impact of the global turmoil on local business and industry.

The decision to freeze customer funds was not easy but prudent due to current economic conditions, AXA Asia Pacific chief executive Andrew Penn says.

Heat on Rudd as billions are frozen; Treasurer approves Westpac merger; ANZ's profit slumps 23 per cent on bad loans; Clough faces 'please explain' on $23m coal loss; GMAC pull-out hits car dealers

Austal Ltd managing director Bob Browning said there are no plans for further staff cuts after the company laid off over 100 workers at its Henderson shipbuilding facility.

Treasurer Troy Buswell is considering an overhaul of the Department of Housing and Works after the agency revealed it will have a shortfall of $235 million this financial year.

Falling lead prices and costs associated with maintenance works at its suspended Wiluna operation in Western Australia have prompted miner Magellan Metals to lay off 18 people.

Premier Colin Barnett has today insisted that there is no disagreement with Nationals Leader Brendon Grylls over the royalties for regions policy, as the opposition steps up calls for more clarity on the funding program.

TWELVE months ago, the idea of having more than a handful of job applications for a single vacancy would have been beyond contemplation for many businesses in Western Australia.

AUSTRADE and Telstra Business have teamed up to help Australian businesses develop their export potential and step up to the world stage.

DESPITE the global credit crunch, which has wiped trillions of dollars off international share markets and made it more difficult for business to borrow money, Western Australia has again recorded another stellar year of growth, and the outlook remains st

THE state's economy could yet feel the impact of the global financial crisis, which has already lifted the cost of borrowing and could make it increasingly difficult to access finance.

WESTERN Australia had a trade surplus of $41.

OUTDATED regulatory and pricing arrangements in Western Australia's aged care industry is threatening the vulnerable sector, with industry groups warning that an ageing population will exacerbate the state's already strained health resources.

THE latest round of national research grants has highlighted the University of Western Australia's status as the state's premier research institution, though the grants also indicate that WA as a whole has not performed well.

THE Western Australian economy ended the 2007-08 financial year on a positive note, with most of the growth again driven by increased business investment.