Latest Headlines

Melbourne's M2 Telecommunications Group has announced $248 million worth of acquisitions, including a $44.1 million bid for Perth-based internet service provider Eftel.

Consumer confidence in Western Australia is on the rise after hitting record lows in the December quarter, a survey shows.

Southern Cross boss Rhys Holleran insists the TV and radio broadcaster has not yet made up its mind on a possible takeover bid from Nine.

The Australian market has fallen by almost 1.5 per cent due to concerns about a bailout of Cyprus and falls on Wall Street.

There will be recounts in two tight West Australian electorates, after the WA Electoral Commission declared Labor winners in both seats but by less than a hundred votes.

Hefty credit card surcharges could be on the way out after Visa became the first company to ban Australian retailers from slapping on the fees.

US markets have taken a needed pause after a relentless 10-day run, marked by the Dow setting new records for eight straight sessions.

Western Australia will have a newly sworn-in government at the end of next week after finalisation of results in two knife-edge electoral seats.

Prominent Perth property identity John Bond has joined the board of transportable housing and caravan manufacturer Fleetwood Corporation.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, holding on to the gains made on Thursday after the release of stellar jobs figures.

Tap Oil has secured more than $68 million in debt finance to fund the development of its Manora oil project in Thailand.

Silver producer Alcyone Resources' shares have tanked after it announced a management shake-up following the resignation of the company's managing director Andrew King and two other board members.

Seven West Media chief Don Voelte says proposed media law changes are a blunt attempt to impose federal government control over the free press.

The Australian share market bounced back on Friday as traders decided the economy is doing better than a preceding three-day run of losses would suggest.

Aurora Oil & Gas has expanded its convertible notes offering, initially announced to market yesterday, to $US300 million.

Gyms, travel agents and car hire companies have been put on notice that they face being sued over contracts that rip off consumers.

Former police minister Rob Johnson has put up his hand for the job of speaker in the new parliament, saying he was previously endorsed for the role by Premier Colin Barnett.

Perth-based Addwealth Financial Services has lost its operating licence after failing to lodge independent compliance reports.

There are still good times ahead for the mining sector, says Australian and UK-listed fund manager Henderson Global Investors.

BC Iron managing director Mike Young has announced he will step down from the helm of the iron ore miner in May.

A Reserve Bank of Australia official says the large surge in employment growth in February will not, by itself, have an impact on the interest rate outlook.

Australian cattle numbers have grown substantially, partly as a result of the federal government's temporary suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia in mid-2011, says beef producer Australia

The National Broadbank Network has awarded another $334 million of work to Leighton Holdings company Visionstream.

The banks involved in Australia's most expensive and longest-running court case have won the right to take their battle to the High Court.

The Australian share market has opened stronger after stocks in the United States posted their longest winning streak in more than 16 years.

Nearly 1,000 guests attended this week's announcement of WA Business News' 40under40 awards, with the winners coming from areas as diverse as real estate, medical research, food and mining. Click the headline above to see video highlights, including interviews with winners.

Shares in Alacer Gold fell almost four per cent after the company posted a full year loss of $342 million.

The S&P 500 flirted with an all-time high Thursday as equity markets continued their upward march in the wake of strong labour data and bullish market sentiment.

The Australian dollar has closed at a five-week high after strong jobs data raised the prospect the central bank would leave interest rates unchanged in the period ahead.

Wesfarmers is raising million (.8 million) following the successful pricing of a bond issue in the United States.