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The federal government has introduced legislation to close the tax loophole around hobby farms and similar non-commercial pursuits by high-income individuals which is expected to deliver $700 million in revenue.

Start-up companies will have to repay financial support they receive from the federal government's Commercialisation Institute, which is being established as a replacement for the popular Commercial Ready grants scheme.

An Applecross real estate agent, who had his licence cancelled due to misconduct, has failed in a bid to appeal against the cancellation.

Asset impairments and one-off items totalling $52.2 million substantially impacted Territory Resources' bottom line with the iron ore miner reporting a full-year loss of $71.4 million.

Synergy's recent decision to award energy supply contracts to Verve Energy has only strengthened Eneabba Gas' position to provide power in the Mid West region, the company claims.

Explorer Hazelwood Resources has revealed plans to raise up to $12.35 million to fund exploration works and a bankable feasibility at its Cookes Creek tungsten project in the east Pilbara.

Verve Energy's decision to restart the state's oldest coal fired power station will not be formally assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The Woodside-operated North West Shelf venture has contributed $70 billion to Australia's gross domestic product in the past 20 years, a new report by economic consultants ACIL Tasman has found.

Shares in Moly Mines surged higher today after the company last night announced a $US700 million deal with privately-owned Chinese company Hanlong Mining Investment for its flagship Spinifex Ridge molybdenum project in the Pilbara.

The state government today announced funding to the tune of $110 million for projects in the state's South West to coincide with the regional cabinet meeting in Bunbury.

Canning Vale has emerged as the preferred suburb among first home buyers in the September quarter, as the median house price for first time buyers edged up to $380,000.

The cost of developing the PNG LNG project, which is competing with Western Australian gas projects for customers and resources, has lifted by 20 per cent to US$15 billion (A$16.7 billion).

The time lag with New South Wales and Victoria has served private businesses in Western Australia well with the state topping the nation in terms of profit growth, a new survey has found.

South Perth-based Central Petroleum says it will launch proceedings against joint venture partner Petroleum Exploration Australia after the latter failed to execute a key contract condition after Red Sky Energy joined as a partner.

The awarding of contracts for the massive Gorgon gas project is gathering pace with operator Chevron so far handing out about $7 billion worth of work, including the latest $810 million contract to Dutch group Boskalis.

The state government has committed $3 million towards improving power reliability for Ravensthorpe with a hybrid system comprising of renewable energy and diesel to be implemented.

Shares in explorer Polaris Metals have risen as a takeover battle for the iron ore miner heats up with Lion Asia-Resources sweetening its cash offer.

Miner Norton Gold Fields has raised more than $40 million, with part of the funds to be used to expand the Paddington gold mine outside of Kalgoorlie.

The $50 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas project will be a boon for the state, but Western Australia has not escaped unscathed from the global financial crisis, according to Access Economics.

Hannans Reward managing director Damian Hicks will go ahead with the listing of his other company, Scandinavian Resources, which will launch its $6.5 million initial public offer next month.

Lynas Corporation has selected United Group as its lead engineering contractor for its Mt Weld rare earths project in WA, after previous ongoing delays forced then contractor, Ranhill WorleyParsons, to demobilise its resources.

Sam Walsh has been appointed as chief executive of Rio Tinto's Australia operations and will maintain his position in the iron ore division, as the global mining company reshuffles its organisational structure.

If you're looking for a food festival, then Western Australia has something to suit almost every taste.

FLNG for Kimberley projects: Shell

IF you spend more than a few moments with David Hohnen you'll soon hear the words 'second generation'.

Days of Change

The tourism industry needs the government to commit to a new accommodation program.

Sandfire Resources managing director Karl Simich has sold 1 million shares to an unnamed North American resource fund, pocketing more than $3.5 million.

Business Class talks to Sandalford Wines chief executive Grant Brinklow

ENERGY giant Shell has asked a number of its Perth-based staff to reapply for their positions next week, as it pushes on with a global restructure to redress a doubling of its cost base since 2004.

HOUSING Minister Troy Buswell's reform proposals for public housing announced last week could not have come at a better time for national social housing provider Community Housing, which recently announced its intention to move into the Western Australian

PLANS for an 18-storey retail and office building opposite the Parmelia Hilton on Mill Street have been approved by the City of Perth.