Latest Headlines

Sinosteel Corp is persisting in its takeover bid for Midwest Corporation, extending the bid by a month, as US hedge fund Harbinger Capital increases its hold on the miner.

Speculation over the sale of BankWest by its UK parent has ramped up with National Australia Bank Ltd reportedly in talks with JP Morgan and others over forming a consortium to break up HBOS.

Opposition leader Troy Buswell said a Liberal state government would provide additional funding to the Royal Flying Doctor Service under a five year, $68 million country health plan.

The availability of trades in the state may have marginally increased over the June quarter but the skills shortage in the sector persists even as housing activity falls, according to a recent report.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd is among eight companies charged by WorkSafe WA over the death of two workers and serious injuries to others during a cyclone at a Pilbara construction camp last year.

Shipbuilding, fashion design, education and mining are the tools of trade behind this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Western Region award winners.

Rio-Stokes deal good news for Pilbara ore minnows; Seven adds to WAN stake under 'creep' provisions; BHP contracts rattle WA unions; Iron ore sale plan to fund Moly Mines molybdenum project; Rates pain to persist, CBA warns

Western Australia's economic value will be reduced by $1.8 billion over the next five years as the Department of Treasury and Finance provide estimates of the economic disruption brought about by the gas crisis.

The state government has welcomed a $623 million federal government initiative to boost the number of affordable rental properties.

Western Australian small business owners are generally a positive bunch with the state revealed as having the most positive outlook over future revenue, according to the latest MYOB survey.

Kerry Stokes's Seven Network Ltd has increased its stake in West Australian Newspapers Holdings Ltd by about three per cent in a $41 million purchase this morning.

Rio Tinto Ltd has signed a landmark agreement to purchase iron ore from a Perth-based junior's Pilbara mine, paving the way for small companies to develop costly projects while allowing the industry majors to keep control of their rail infrastructure.

Perth-based Indian sandalwood grower TFS Corporation Ltd has realised its vision of becoming a vertically integrated producer after agreeing to acquire Albany-based essential oils business Mount Romance Australia.

Australasian Resources Ltd today confirmed that it has received a merger proposal from billionaire Clive Palmer's Resources Development International Ltd, which is currently finalising plans for a $5 billion initial public offer.

Record year puts pressure on BHP to lift dividend; Palmer plans takeover to build $18b resources titan; Inflation spikes on fuel, credit costs; Shifting sentiment drives banks; Macquarie challenged on funds as big asset write-downs looms

Jani-King has emerged as one of the fastest growing franchises in Western Australia, measured by number of outlets.

With almost half of the top 50 fastest growing franchises in Australia food businesses, there is no reason to go hungry.

West Perth-based oil and gas company Otto Energy has appointed Richard King as commercial manager.

Sharing premises could lead to more than just rubbing shoulders for Western Australia's two leading theatre companies, though no-one wants to write the 'm' word into the script, just yet.

It may be isolated, but Western Australia has become one of the country's hotspots for producing quality franchise chains.

HBOS, the UK owner of Perth-based BankWest, said shareholders agreed to take up 8.29 per cent of its $8 billion rights issue, increasing speculation that Perth-based BankWest could be up for sale.

Iron ore miner IronClad Mining has appointed Patrick Clifford as project manager for the development of the Wilcherry Hill Iron Ore project in South Australia's Eyre Peninsular iron ore province.

While the Mid West region is dominated by the antics of iron ore stocks Murchison Metals Ltd and Midwest Corporation Ltd, another player is stepping up to secure its berth in the region's resource riches.

Franchisor of the Caffissimo coffee chain, Mike Barr, believes a good coffee franchise is all about 'location location', and a viable rent.

JONES Lang LaSalle's Perth office has made a number of new appointments in its leasing, sales and property management divisions.Jason Ridge (pictured) joins the firm as a director in the property, ass

Allied Gold Ltd Jeffrey Moore has resigned as director. CBH Resources Ltd Andrew Davies has resigned as a director. In consequence, the appointment of Mr Stephen Lonergan as his alternate ceases.

There are plenty of potential losers in the story surrounding fuel technology group, which traded under the high profile banner of Firepower.

A lot can happen in a year. Just more than 12 months ago, Western Australia franchises were concerned about the difficulties in finding new areas of growth, with the sector subject to the same labour market pressures as other industries.

SUBIACO-based Summit Resources Ltd plans to raise over $10 million through a rights issue which will be fully sub-underwritten by its two largest shareholders, Paladin Energy Ltd and Areva NC Australi

West Perth-based oil and gas company Otto Energy has appointed Richard King as commercial manager.

Those who want to see 24-hour trading across the board in Western Australia will be disappointed with one of Perth's longest-running, non-stop retailer's decision to shut overnight for the first time in 17 years.

NEARLY $93 million worth of contracts have been awarded by both the federal and state governments to improve road infrastructure in the Kimberley region.