Barnett backs 9pm retail trading PREMIER Colin Barnett has announced that he will introduce a bill paving the way for retail trading hours to be extended to 9pm on weeknights. The WA Independent Grocers Association has launched a newspaper advertising campaign opposing any changes to retail trading hours. Harmony Capital buys Harvey Beef PRIVATE equity fund Harmony Capital has moved to full ownership of the state’s largest meatworks, Harvey Beef, after buying out partners Elders and Stark Investments. In a joint venture three years ago Harmony and Elders took control of Harvey Beef, which was previously owned by 100-year-old family business EG Green & Sons. Wheatbelt rail battle heats up LOCAL councils in the Wheatbelt may stop issuing permits for operators of larger grain trucks as the deadline for the state government to commit an initial $45 million to upgrade rail lines for grain transport passes. Privately owned rail operator, WestNet Rail, had given the state government until this week to commit to $45 million to upgrade works or face the suspension of operations on four rail lines. WA firms more confident of 2010 recovery AN increasing number of businesses in WA are becoming more confident about the local economy’s prospects, with some saying the current economic climate has been good for business, the latest Commonwealth Bank-Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA ‘Survey of business expectations’ found. GRD receives $106m takeover proposal GRD, a Perth-based engineering and infrastructure company, has become the latest acquisition target for UK-based AMEC, which has proposed a $106 million cash takeover offer. Earlier this month AMEC acquired the assets and operations of Canadian mining company Journeaux, Bedard & Assoc Inc. Appointments
