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Well behind the Liberal Party when it comes to fund raising, state Labor needs to rethink its strategies.

The value of mergers and acquisitions in the Western Australian gold sector over the past 12 months has reached close to $650 million, analysis by Business News has found.

Queensland-based explorer Pacific Niugini has made a $6.8 million bid to purchase an 80 per cent stake in Bulletin Resources' Halls Creek gold projects, dwarfing an original offer from Bulletin's major shareholder Matsa Resources.

Shares in engineering company Forge Group have been placed in a trading for the third time in as many months ahead of an update on its earnings.

Australian shares are weaker, following surprisingly weak Chinese manufacturing data.

Experience in the UK has delivered some good lessons on how to go about privatising government businesses.

Gold futures have risen to the highest price in more than nine weeks, taking cues from a retreat in the US dollar after weaker economic data.

US stocks have sunk following a weak report on Chinese manufacturing activity and the latest batch of lacklustre corporate earnings.

The Australian dollar has been weakened by surprisingly soft Chinese manufacturing data.

Fast food franchise group Competitive Foods has reported a $21.4 million profit for the year to July 2013, including a $4.9 million profit from the KFC division that it sold last year.

Australia's largest full-service fitness chain is planning big changes after admitting to major problems in the way the private equity-backed business has been run.

Latin Gold has become the latest resources company to target the technology sector, with intentions to acquire a social networking platform developed by Steven Goh.

Contractor HWE Mining faces a retrial over the death of a worker at BHP Billiton's Yandi mine in 2008, after a judge overruled an acquittal on charges the firm failed to provide a safe working environment.

Cost management remains the biggest issue for chief financial officers, who are also expecting the labour market to remain sluggish this year according to a new poll by professional services firm Deloitte.

The share market has fallen as disappointing Chinese economic data and weak leads from overseas markets prompted investors to sell.

The Australian suitor for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, dairy co-operative Murray Goulburn, has surrendered to Canadian rival Saputo.

Westpac has been named the world's most sustainable corporation at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Under-fire security company Serco has launched an immediate investigation after a prisoner was left unguarded by its staff during a trip to Royal Perth Hospital.

Northern Star Resources looks set to emerge as the fifth biggest gold mine operator in Western Australia following its $75 million acquisition of Barrick Gold's majority stake in the East Kundana joint venture and the Kanowna Belle mine.

If nothing else, Bill Beament has just cemented for himself a place in Australian business history by placing one of the biggest bets ever on the future price of gold – and possibly on the future value of the Australian dollar.

Gold miner Newcrest Mining is poised for deeper cost cutting after slicing quarterly production costs by 16 per cent.

Energy giant Santos has lifted its December quarter sales revenue 21 per cent thanks to stronger oil production and prices.

Australian shares are weaker with most of the big banks following a lacklustre lead from Wall Street.

Platinum has climbed to the highest price in more than two months ahead of a planned strike in South Africa that may interrupt production in the top producer of the precious metal.

US stocks have finished mixed as investors continued to react cautiously to a series of uneven earnings reports.

The Australian dollar is being boosted by stronger-than-expected inflation figures that have all but closed the door on another cash rate cut.

The Abbott government's first few months in office may have been underwhelming, but Labor leader Bill Shorten also has work to do.

The office vacancy rate in Perth's central business district has jumped sharply higher to 10.8 per cent, research by Jones Lang LaSalle has found.

Plans for a major industrial hub at Forrestdale are gathering momentum, with planning approvals granted and manufacturing giant Hitachi preparing to start construction on a new $100 million headquarters.

New management system models are seeking to address the need for better communications and decision making in modern workplaces.

Leading property developer Nigel Satterley has hit back at claims the first home owners grant is a policy failure, arguing the grant has provided an ongoing boost to the Western Australian housing market.

Australia's rising jobless rate is chipping away at consumer confidence, a new survey has revealed.