Western Australia miners have been hit hard in trade today with the metals and mining index plummeting over 12 per cent on fears that the meltdown will spark a global slump and reduce demand for commodities.
The collapse of Lehman Brothers has put the spotlight on BHP Billiton's takeover of Rio Tinto, with Chinalco in urgent talks with Lehman Brothers' liquidators to retrieve a 12 per cent stake it holds in Rio.
Treasurer Troy Buswell said spending will be signifcantly tightened in next year's budget while an exact forecast on how the global financial turmoil will affect the state's resource royalties revenue stream is not yet known.
Mining services company Imdex Ltd is set to acquire Western Australian manufacturer Australian Drilling Specialities for $12 million in cash and scrip.
The state government will take a maximum stake of 25 per cent in homes under the revamped First Start shared equity scheme which this week received a $70 million lifeline.
Markets fret over Fed recession fears; WA growth to shrink: Buswell; Hundreds left angry as Opes Prime is wound up; No riding China's back: Rio; Banks urged to pass on cheaper borrowing costs
KEY industry bodies are gearing up their preparations for proposed compensation claims following the release of the official report into the Varanus gas explosion, handed down last week by Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore.
A 15,000 square metre beachfront site in the coastal holiday town of Lancelin will soon be home to a luxury bungalow-style resort, the first development of its kind for the town.
TEA and scones, coffee and cake - where would civilised society be without them? The latter in particular is something of an institution in egalitarian Perth, which is forging a reputation nation-wide for the quality of its brews.
ALMOST 120,000 extra workers could be made available in Western Australia if women received more incentives to join the workforce, according to a new report from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.
WESTERN Australia's tourism industry has called on the new state government to fast-track tourism developments in the city and regional areas and help combat the labour shortage.
THE founder of popular Leederville burger bar Retro Betty's, Michael Wiss (pictured), is involved in a legal battle over intellectual property rights with the owners of Retro Betty's Innaloo.
THE timing of the first strike action at Rio Tinto Ltd's Pilbara iron ore operations in 16 years is almost exquisite, with some of the highest paid union members on the planet stopping work as world leaders were seeking to avert a global financial disaste
IN response to State Scene's column of October 2, 'Bailing out for a soft landing', a reader has suggested something should be done to stop the ongoing practice of politicians vacating their seats after general elections.
WHAT started as a marketing plan to name a range of wines has become a 10-year passion for the history of French exploration in Western Australia for businessman, Peter Woods.
LOCATED among the colour and movement of Perth's cultural and nightlife hub, the city's 'cultural centre' between William and Beaufort streets stands in stark contrast to the Northbridge strip, particularly after dark.
WITH Sunday trading to be open to all Bunbury general retailers next year, some industry groups hope this will bring Perth metropolitan areas a step closer to more flexible trading hours.
WITH energy issues firmly fixed on the public agenda after the events in recent months, the time is right for the development of a state energy policy which, at its heart, has a vision for Western Australia's development to 2050 and beyond.
A REVIEW of the export market development grant scheme highlights the difficulties exporters in Western Australia face when seeking funds from this primary source of assistance.
The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resources.
THE business of putting more trees in the ground and keeping them there may soon become one of the more viable options for the forestry sector, with two announcements this week a sign of the times.
THE downturn in Western Australia's property market is continuing to challenge the residential building industry, with housing starts falling across the board and businesses being forced to adapt.
HISTORIC statistics have only limited value in the context of an unprecedented market meltdown, nevertheless there is some comfort in knowing the economic position before the latest chapter in the slowly unfolding crisis.
THE downturn in Perth's housing market continued during the September quarter, with the city's median house price falling for the third consecutive quarter to $426,000.
