Perth's housing affordability continues to improve, with low interest rates and a slight decline in home prices combining to make the local market more accessible.
Programmed managing director Chris Sutherland says the group's annual results show the benefits of its diversification, with its government and property contracts largely offsetting a decline in resource sector work.
Global oil prices have dipped after a successful presidential election in Ukraine over the weekend helped ease some concerns despite continued fighting in the pro-Russian east.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion has flagged new industry safety guidelines in the wake of five mining fatalities in Western Australia in nine months.
Western Australians will have to wait until Christmas to find out how much the government saved by merging power generator and retailer Verve and Synergy.
The resources sector will struggle to find enough skilled workers to drive production on the LNG plants expected to come on-stream in the next few years.
The accommodation squeeze in the north-west appears to be over with at least one Pilbara hotel shutting temporarily amid industry claims construction camps close to major population centres are competing with traditional hospitality providers.
The state government has put out the call for developers for the former chem labs site in East Perth, but the successful proponent will need to incorporate the heritage-listed laboratory buildings
The enormous gas supply deal Russia recently struck with China reduces Australia's advantage as a major liquefied natural gas exporter, according to Australian advisory firm EnergyQuest.
Perth-based potash exploration company Reward Minerals has been served a $33,000 penalty by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and has complied with the infringement notice.
Suncorp boss Patrick Snowball is determined to keep the financial services group's problematic life insurance business despite it facing a $500 million writedown.
Rio Tinto has committed to plans to develop the $US20 billion Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, signing a deal with the West African nation's government and development partners.
The Gina Rinehart-backed Sun Resources has purchased a stake in oil and gas leases in the prospective Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk shale formations in the American state of Texas.
Italy has led Europe's stock markets in a robustly positive reaction to elections which have put conservatives in a leading position but given anti-EU forces a huge boost in France and Britain.
Two-and-a-half years after entering the Australian market, Squire Sanders is set to expand its international reach through a merger with fellow US law firm Patton Boggs.
The Australian share market has pushed back above the 5,500 mark amid a quiet trading session that was buoyed by last week's gains on overseas markets.
