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FARMING groups are taking a cautious view of the Barnett government's promises to make legislative reforms to benefit the sector if it wins the March 9 election, given the lack of action they say h

BOTH major parties have committed to big-spending projects in their bid to secure votes ahead of the upcoming state election.

With just over a week to go until the state election, the business community was eager to interrogate the treasurer and his key rival.

AS the March 9 election approaches, Western Australians are being enticed by both sides of politics with big-picture visionary projects.

Theatrical influences have become a point of difference for 1907 Restaurant.

Premier Colin Barnett has committed a future Liberal government to build the long-proposed Perth-Darwin Highway adding to a string of expensive transport projects the competing parties have promise

The Australian dollar has closed relatively flat as investors hold out to see how European markets react to Italy's election results.

A sharp jump in global miner Rio Tinto's debt has led to a downgrade in its credit outlook by ratings agency Standard & Poor's.

The Australian Greens and the federal coalition both want Labor's mining tax subjected to another Senate inquiry, but for entirely different reasons.

GR Engineering remains confident of an improved second half performance after one-off costs and project deferrals resulted in an 81 per cent fall in interim profit.

Travel agency Jetset Travelworld will continue to cut costs while it considers ways to boost business.

The Australian share market has closed lower but pared back earlier heavy falls.There were losses among the miners and big banks as investors took profits after recent gains.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has booked a 17 per cent drop in interim net profit, which it says was the result contract signing delays on two major projects.

Qantas has rejected former prime minister Malcolm Fraser's claim it interfered in the case of two Australian businessmen languishing in detention in Dubai.

QBE Insurance will cut hundreds of staff as it streamlines its global operations, but insists there will be no mass redundancies.

Developer Cedar Woods Properties expects a record profit this year after the Western Australian housing market underpinned a big jump in first half earnings.

Former Premier Ray O'Connor, who was jailed for six months in the mid 1990's as part of the WA Inc scandal, has died.

Mining services and drilling group Ausdrill is confident of a stronger performance in the second half of the financial year, despite posting an 11.9 per cent drop in interim profit.

The Reserve Bank of Australia says it has scope to cut interest rates, if needed, to offset the effect of the high Australian dollar.

The Minerals Council of Australia is looking for a new chief executive officer following Mitch Hooke's decision to leave the organisation at the end of this year.

Psst! Wanna buy a second-hand, slightly shop-soiled nickel mining business?

Atlas Iron is confident enough about iron ore demand to press on with production growth this year despite low prices contributing to a heavy full year loss.

Virgin Australia's first half profit has slumped by 56 per cent but it expects to improve its underlying performance despite challenging economic conditions.

The Australian sharemarket has opened almost 1.5 per cent weaker as former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's strong electoral showing sparked fears of eurozone instability.

Western Australia's business community says a pledge by Troy Buswell at this morning's debate with Ben Wyatt to increase the payroll tax threshold by $100,000 does not go far enough to ease pressure on companies. (Click through to watch the full debate).

Seven Group Holdings has flagged a rise of up to 20 per cent in full year profit despite being cautious about current trading conditions.

US stocks closed sharply lower on Monday amid concerns that Silvio Berlusconi's strong showing in the Italian election could force a coalition government and spark fresh instability in the eu

The Australian dollar has closed lower in response to disappointing Chinese manufacturing data.

Lawyers are preparing to mount a class action against Vodafone after years of complaints about the telecommunications provider.

Engine and fuel technology group Orbital Corporation has sold a 12 per cent stake in its Synerject LLC fuel injection systems joint venture to partner Continental Corporation for $US6 million.

Northern Minerals has announced a $26.6 million capital raising plan to fund the development of its Browns Range heavy rare earths project in the Northern Territory.

GR Engineering has won a $16 million contract with Saracen Mineral Holdings for engineering and construction works at the Carosue Dam gold mine near Laverton.