Today's headlines

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN (Business news)

ConsMin finds it Noble with white knight
A $680 million-plus counterbid for Consolidated Minerals backed by Noble Group and budding WA miner Territory Resources is expected within days in an attempt to blow Brian Gilbertson's newly revised offer out of the water.

Forrest's cost blowouts spirals up past $400m
Construction costs blowouts at Fortescue Metals Group Pilbara iron ore venture have officially passed $400 million, biting deep into the company's back-up cash reserves as it races to meet its May shipping deadline.

Ex-Multiplex chiefs lead charge into Perth boom
Multiplex has emerged as the breeding ground for the new generation of construction contractors that is now challenging the property development giant on its own stomping ground in Perth.

Cash flow for Abany plant
New generation timber group Lignor has raised more than $200 million in a convertibel note issue ahead of a float which is expected to tap the market for $130 million.

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN (General News)

Have you heard the one about McGinty's inquiry?
The Burke-Fong email scandal deepened last night when the opposition claimed it was asked to grant the Health Department a two week extension on its Freedom of Information hunt for emails between Neale Fong and Brian Burke - despite the result of its request having already been sent to the office of Health Minister Jim McGinty

Perth urged to sink eastern end of city rail
WA should seize a once a lifetime chance to sink the railway from Northbridge as far as east as Claisebrook as part of a push to connect the central business district to the entertainment area, visiting urban strategist Charles Landry said yesterday.

Red faces for ALP after Grill expulsion backfires
After spending most of this year trying to expel lobbyist Julian Grill from the ALP, Labor finally found a shortcut through the party's processes yesterday when it threw him out for donating to the national party before the last Federal election.

THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

Investors warned on super changes
The federal government has advised investors to seek a second opinion before making major decisions affecting their superannuation, as key industry figures warn of widespread confusion about the sweeping changes of the sytem that take effect on July 1.

Coles sale plan hits tax hurdle
Wesfarmers claims Coles Group shareholders would face a $1.3 billion tax bill if the retailer's board decides to sell its general merchandise business as part of a break-up of the $20 billion group.

Returns after tax will be simply super
Three leading investment managers are starting a new era in funds management by changing the way they invest about $25 billion of money from a pretas to after-tax basis.

Employment lobby faces an uphill battle to fund ads
Employer group have been slow to commit the million of dollars needed for the politically sensitive advertising campaign promoting flexible workplace laws during the countdown to the next federal election.