Latest Headlines

The state government has contributed $7.4 million from the royalties for regions scheme for the upgrade of the Gascoyne irrigation pipeline, which will unlock the region's potential to become a key food producer.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lift the official cash rate has caused surprise and dismay from various lobby groups, with one from WA saying the central bank has acted too hastily.

Perth man Graeme Rundle has been charged by the corporate watchdog over his role as the chief financial controller in the failed Westpoint Group.

Investors in several Great Southern schemes face having their agribusiness assets seized by third party land-owners, after receivers were unable to secure financing to keep paying the leases.

Australia has become the first western economy in the world to lift interest rates with the Reserve Bank of Australia today increasing the official cash rate by 25 basis points.

The state government has revealed plans to increase foreshore land reserves for the Swan and Canning river systems as part of an overall plan to create a network of pathways, including one that stretches from Fremantle to the Swan Valley.

Increasing land and housing options and promoting housing growth through not-for-profit and private partnerships are some of key principles released today in a housing taskforce report that provides a directions blueprint for the state's housing needs.

West Perth-based Emergent Resources will pay up to $6.8 million to De Grey Mining to acquire the remaining 20 per cent interest it does not own in the Beyondie magnetite iron project in the Mid West.

Territory Resources has executed an agreement with its financiers, hedge book facility provider and major shareholder Noble Resources for the transfer of the company's bank debt to Noble.

High stakes in iiNet piracy court battle; Broker demand puts Myer float on track; Telstra plan under fire; Job ads jump shortens chance of rate increase; Vmoto corners rest of China factory stake

Australia's job market has continued to strengthen despite talk of an interest rate rise, with 14 per cent of companies expecting to increase employee numbers in the December quarter, according to the latest Dun & Bradstreet's Business Expectations survey

Apache Energy has awarded a $US170 million ($A195 million) contract to a Norwegian and Malaysian joint venture for works at its Devil Creek gas project offshore Western Australia.

Iron ore junior Australasian Resources is awaiting ministerial conditions to progress its Balmoral South iron ore development following the release of the Environmental Protection Authority's report on the project.

Fremantle-based minerals company Cleveland Mining has secured three mining projects in central Brazil which the newly-formed outfit hopes will deliver significant production levels following detailed geological investigations of the projects.

The state government and Woodside have signed an agreement that will accelerate key studies and planning for a liquefied natural gas hub for Browse Basin gas at James Price Point.

The state government has announced the appointment of Graham Thomson as the chair of the Regional Development Council for the next two years.

West Perth-based Northern Uranium has entered into an agreement to combine and advance its rock phosphate projects with Korean-based FSL Resources.

Perth-based Newland Resources has unveiled a "revitalisation" plan that includes three new major investors including Argonaut and Craig Burton, and a refocus on acquiring resource projects.

Heron Resources says the first tranche of a project joint venture deal with Ningbo Shanshan has been completed, with the Chinese entity injecting $2.7 million into the West Perth-based explorer.

Scooter maker Vmoto has consolidated ownership of its Chinese manufacturing facility, buying out the remaining minority stake it did not own for $US1.3 million ($A1.5 million) and revealing plans for a $3.5 million capital raising.

Woodside backs move to longer trading hours; Contractor VDM eyes options to tackle debt; Boom states accused of waste; Telstra plots vote to test network deal; ASX to probe capital raisings

Woodside Petroleum has committed to spend at least $120 million to explore for gas in its newest permit off the Pilbara coast.

The federal government has allocated $5.5 million to Western Australia for the restoration and conservation of some of the state's heritage places, including the main cell block within the Fremantle Prison.

Troy Resources chairman John Dow has fired the side's first shot at dissident shareholder, former chairman John Jones, who is trying to stop a dilutive capital raising.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has admitted the state government has no power to unwind a $160,000 pay increase to the chief executive of government superannuation fund GESB, Michele Dolin.

Perth-based Global Construction Services has teamed up with private company Giovenco Industrial Services to provide scaffolding and related services to Woodside's Pluto gas project.

Takeover target Polaris Metals says there could be another takeover offer in the wings as first bidder Minerals Resources lifts its interest to 22.3 per cent.

China manufacturing on road to recovery; ATO ramps up audits of wealthy; PearlStreet board rejects competing higher offer; IMF says Australia on way to recovery; Macquarie on buying spree

The state government expects to receive more than the 115 local government reform submissions it has already received, which highlight potential areas for reform in the face of possible council ama

The University of Western Australia has taken its long-running legal dispute with Dr Bruce Gray, a former staff member and founder of profitable biotechnology company Sirtex Medical, to the High Court.

Timber company Gunns has put itself into the bidder's circle for Great Southern's assets, a day after it lost its bid for Timbercorp's forestry assets to a US-based company.

Westralia Airports Corporation, the owner of Perth Airport, has secured $882 million in debt and equity to refinance existing bank facilities and fund expansion plans.