Latest Headlines

Optus is looking to improve its standing among customers by abolishing breakage fees and reducing bill shock, as it deals with lower revenues.

The Sebel Residence East Perth has been sold to an offshore investor for $19.2 million.

For the second consecutive year, Gina Rinehart has been named as a Visionary CEO at an awards ceremony run by consulting group McMillan Woods in Kuala Lumpur.

The Abbott government has failed to win Senate approval for legislation lifting the commonwealth debt ceiling to $500 billion.

Perth-based refrigerator and air conditioning provider AJ Baker & Sons has acquired South Australian company Hill Equipment & Refrigeration CO for an undisclosed sum.

Bega Cheese has increased its takeover offer for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, but it doesn't match the $505 million offered by rival Murray Goulburn.

The share market has opened strongly on comments by the US Federal Reserve suggesting tapering of its stimulus program won't occur until next year.

Australia's largest grain handler GrainCorp blames takeover costs and a smaller crop for a 31 per cent slump in its full year profit - and warns of tougher conditions ahead.

Taking responsibility for your product and service level will help your sales much more than blaming others and complaining about price.

US stocks have pushed to fresh all-time highs after a strong earnings report from Macy's raised hopes about the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Oil prices have bounced back somewhat after the US benchmark contract reached a five-month low the previous day.

The Australian dollar has bounced on stronger consumer confidence figures and US dollar selling.

Kevin Rudd has announced he is quitting parliament.He said there came a time in every politician's life when families said "enough is enough".

After a record-breaking 2012, the past 12 months have been pretty quiet for new office construction in Perth, with little significant space to be added until 2015.

The Australian dollar will hover between US90 cents and $US1.10 over the next five years, leading economist Stephen Koukoulas told a Perth audience this morning.

The share market has posted a significant fall as investors took profits and consider the possibility of the United States reducing its economic stimulus program soon.

Rail operator Aurizon's shareholders have delivered a 'first strike' against what they have cited as an overly generous executive pay policy.

The three-way bidding war for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter has escalated, with Murray Goulburn now offering $505 million to trump Canadian bidder Saputo.

Perth-based drug company Suda has raised $5.6 million to be used for its ArTiMist malaria treatment and other development products.

Persistence is starting to pay off on the government's quest for local council reform.

Oil and gas entrepreneur Peter Allchurch is set to become a major shareholder in Perth company TW Holdings after striking a deal to sell a Texas shale oil project to the listed company.

Swala Energy has announced a placement of 19.5 million shares to two investors, raising $4.4 million.

Charter Hall has secured an industrial site in Bibra Lake for $22.6 million, in the largest industrial land deal of the financial year to date.

Mining services entrepreneurs Peter Bartlett and Ron Sayers face the prospect of a new trial next year after a jury was unable to reach a verdict on tax fraud charges.

Bhagwan Marine has entered a new partnership with an eastern states-based software group to streamline management and maintenance of the oil and gas industry services company's fleet of 100 boats.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has introduced legislation to repeal Labor's mining tax and related measures that were supposed to be funded by the impost.

Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner is hopeful of improved market conditions in December but says the broader ad market remains short and unpredictable.

Shopping centre owner Westfield Group is on track to meet its income growth forecasts, despite no improvement in local retail conditions.

Australian stocks have started the session lower following a weak lead from global markets.

Fortescue Metals Group is continuing to accelerate its debt reduction by initiating repayment of nearly half of its $US2.04 billion in senior unsecured notes to its trustees that are due in 2015.

Perth-based Traka Resources has announced it has resolved to carry out a fundraising of up to $1.4 million for its ongoing West Musgraves copper and nickel project in central Western Australia.

US stocks have closed mostly lower amid renewed speculation about the Federal Reserve's intentions to reduce its massive monetary stimulus.