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One of the country's largest employer groups says the Senate's change to the small business threshold to 20 is both reasonable and necessary and should be accepted by the government.

A review into a $645 million Chinese investment into Fortescue Metals Group has been extended by the Foreign Investment Review Board.

WA-based the Feral Brewing Company last night won five trophies at the Australian International Beer Awards, racking up half of the 10 trophies won by the nation at the world's second largest international beer competition.

Budget cuts not possible - Buswell; Premier to sign-off on port plans for WA; IMF warns slowdown to worsen; BHP nets $4.8bn in US bond market; Telstra blocking rivals - ACCC

The Terry Streeter-backed Fox Resources has launched a $6 million all-scrip takeover of junior explorer Hannans Reward to increase its spread of iron ore and nickel assets in Western Australia.

A state government report has proposed two options for upgrading Barbagallo Raceway, which Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron says offers a better strategic direction for WA motorsport than a street circuit.

The state government is expected to formally approve the $3.5 billion Oakajee port and rail project that is vital to mining developments in the Mid West region.

Junior iron ore producer Atlas Iron has signed the last of its available iron ore into a long-term offtake agreement with an unidentified Chinese steel mill.

Mirabela Nickel has cleared one hurdle in its bid to raise some much needed funds, with a planned $182 million capital raising receiving shareholder approval today.

The Subiaco Redevelopment Authority is free to develop the north-eastern corner of Subi Centro into a mixed use residentital and commercial space following approval from Planning Minister John Day.

The state's meatworkers union has recommended Harvey Beef employees reject the same collective agreement that is again being offered by the company today.

Shares in Aurox Resources have jumped as much as 56 per cent today as the company amends its convertible notes terms for an early cash injection of up to $47 million and modifies its port agreement.

$1.6bn hole in budget as alcopops tax fails; World Bank looks to China to counter global gloom; ASIC targets banks over $1bn Storm collapse; Directors told to stand up to executives in pay talks; Nation building funding crisis

The Gorgon gas project set to proceed this year will be followed by more mega projects off the WA coast, presenting exciting opportunities.

BRIEFCASE notes that many oil and gas stocks, such as Pan Pacific, Carnarvon Petroleum, Cooper Energy and AED Oil, show little if any market value for their ongoing operating cash flow from production activities, while some trade at or below their cash as

LIQUEFIED natural gas, or LNG, is natural gas that has been liquefied by reducing its temperature to about minus 160ºC.

JAPANESE company Inpex and US company Apache Energy have increased their interests in two oil fields located near the Van Gogh oil project, which is due to start production in May.

THE global gas industry could be on the brink of having its first floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility, and there is a likelihood this technology will be in Australian waters in the next decade.

IN keeping with a five-year tradition, Monadelphous managing director Robert Velletri has exercised options at a hefty discount to the company's trading price.

TORTUOUS state government efforts to find a site for an LNG processing hub on the Kimberley coast may count for nought, at least for the next decade.

REBECCA Collins is a regular face at the Genesis Legal Clinic, where she offers pro bono family and criminal law advice to some of Perth's least fortunate people.

ECONOMIST Ian Satchwell doesn't mince his words when describing the likely impact of big LNG projects like Gorgon.

A restaurant that has been around in one form or another for the best part of six decades must be doing something right. Russell Quinn discovers some secrets of The Romany Restaurant's success.

There is no shortage of attractions in Mundaring, as Heather Bennett discovered.

Marylyn New takes an unconventional approach to decision making, but it works.

HAVING led Perth marketing group Core Marketing for a number of years, it seems somewhat ironic that Yvonne Renshaw doesn't signpost her new venture, Core Luxury Retreat, in Mundaring.

State and federal governments can work together on labour market policy.

AFTER a busy two years building a substantial research team and getting through a series of early trials, the start-up biotechnology business founded by Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall, Ondek, is seeking around $10 million to fund the next phase of its deve

IN his quest to create a unique product, Darlington Estate winemaker Menno Bakkers' philosophy makes good business sense - work with the characteristics of the region.

In the second of a two-part series, we analyse the value of organic business growth.

FRUSTRATION over the prohibitive barriers to tourist accommodation development has intensified, after news the first development site released under the Landbank program, aimed at fast-tracking accommodation developments, had stalled.

THE state's caravan industry is preparing for its biggest trade event of the year, with signs the changing demographics of the caravan and camper trailer market could prop up sales.