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Industry groups have welcomed the federal government's announcement of an independent review into the 457 visa scheme.

Blackburne Property Group has passed major development milestones on three of its projects, with the most significant being planning approval for what will be one of the largest apartment developments in Perth's western suburbs.

The sharemarket's run of seven straight days of gains is over, as a weaker iron ore price weighed on the resources sector.

Small businesses could be putting their future on the line if they don't increase their presence online.

BHP Billiton has notified Macmahon Holdings that it plans to take over the Orebody 18 iron ore mine this year, while also announcing its intention to close one of its smaller Pilbara mines.

A joint venture between Viento Group and indigenous business Koodaideri has been awarded a $5 million road maintenance contract at Rio Tinto's Nammuldi below watertable project.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has reported a stronger half-year profit result, driven by the successful completion of key contracts.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has taken advantage of a strong share price rally to launch a capital raising to fund its Thunderbox project acquisition and strengthen its balance sheet.

Atlas Iron has confirmed it will ramp up production at its part-owned Mt Webber iron ore mine to 6 million tonnes per annum this year and expects to see a solid reduction in operating costs as a result of the expansion.

Local investors are showing increased interest in Western Australian retail assets, with the off-market sale of Northam Boulevard Shopping Centre for $14.05 million highlighting the growing demand,

Mermaid Marine Australia has agreed to purchase the subsidiaries of Singapore-based marine services provider Jaya Holdings for $S625 million ($550 million), in an all-cash deal which represents one of the largest acquisitions by a Western Australian company in recent years.

GrainCorp expects to make a full year profit of between $80 million and $100 million with recent large harvests offset by poor seasonal conditions in Queensland and NSW.

The Australian share market has opened flat following weak overseas leads from the US.

The cost-cutting phase of the current resources cycle has been a ‘success', and an upswing could be just around the bend.

Gold futures have rallied to a 16-week high as fears that Ukraine would plunge into a sovereign debt default fanned demand for wealth preservation.

US stocks have finished higher as a February rally accelerated amid continued strength of some high-flying technology equities.

The Australian dollar is firmer after US stocks rallied strongly overnight as appetite for riskier assets rise.

Troy Resources has become the latest Perth-based miner to take a financial hit on the back of a softer gold price, reporting a half-year net loss of $6.8 million.

A back-to-the-future approach won't work for council mergers.

Rising vacancies and falling rents in Perth's CBD office market are putting tenants in prime position to score favourable deals, while the conditions could also result in potential bargains for institutional investors.

King & Wood Mallesons has broken with tradition and become the first major law firm in Perth with a fully open-plan office.

The influx of global oil and gas players to Perth for a major conference this month has provided a platform for some to announce plans to expand their operations in Western Australia.

The sharemarket has closed flat after a slower increase in property prices in China generated anxiety about the strength of the Chinese economy.

Belmont-based contractor GR Engineering Services has lifted its half-year net profit despite what it described as persistently subdued trading conditions in the mining services sector.

Poseidon Nickel has signalled it no longer plans to pursue a major debt capital raising in the United States, appointing a new chairman to replace US-based Bud Scruggs.

SPECIAL REPORT: Former Verve Energy CEO Shirley In't Veld says when it comes to government-owned businesses, politics often wins out over commercial imperatives.

Swick Mining Services has posted a narrow half-year loss on the back of softer demand in the mineral driling market.

Engineering contractor Monadelphous Group has been awarded a $680 million construction contract at Inpex's Ichthys liquefied natural gas project.

Shares in Boart Longyear have fallen more than 8 per cent after the drilling company slumped to a full year net loss of $US620 million.

The Australian share market has opened flat following weak overseas leads from the US.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has stepped in to stop the auction of carbon units, saying it will give business certainty ahead of the government's plans to scrap the carbon tax.

What chance a federal government under budgetary pressure may decide to cede future tax wealth to the states?