Government

The State Government is calling for applications to the 2008 Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards, in particular a new category recognising product safety for children, Consumer Protection Minister Sheila McHale has announced.

Stockbroking firm Goldman Sachs JB Were has started the process of rebuilding its Perth office by making four appointments, including the recruitment of Tait Farrow Azure co-founder Jason Farrow.

The Carbon Neutral program run by community organisation Men of the Trees has won the 2007 WA Environment award at a showcase honouring individuals, community groups and businesses who have shown outstanding achievement in protecting the environment.

WA politics reclaimed the spotlight this week as Upper House MP Shelley Archer quit the ALP. Meanwhile both federal parties launched their campaigns, Foreign Affairs spokesmen were in furious agreement and our expats started voting.

West Perth-based iron ore explorer Atlas Iron Ltd will pay $15 million in port facilities charges to the Port Hedland Port Authority as an up-front contribution for the planned $225 million upgrade of the Utah Point public access facility.

State Environment Minister David Templeman has toughened some of the conditions of Robe River Mining Company Ltd's planned development of mine pits at its Mesa A and Warramboo sites in the Pilbara.

The State Government has flagged plans to allow public sector workers aged over 55 to access their superannuation entitlements while continuing to work, in an effort to retain experienced employees.

The State Government will introduce a bill establishing Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes, where producers of consumer goods could be required to establish recycling programs for those goods, Environment Minister David Templeman has announced.

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