Latest Headlines

Dunsborough-based Nauti-Craft has taken a notable step toward commercialising its marine suspension technology in global markets after signing an agreement with Yanmar Shipbuilding & Engineering Co.

Seven regional roads in Western Australia, including Great Eastern Highway and Indian Ocean Drive, will receive $17.5 million worth of upgrades this financial year in efforts to improve safety and prevent run-off crashes.

Building firms ADCO Constructions and Pindan have secured a pair of contracts collectively worth around $24 million, with ADCO to expand Osborne Park Hospital and Pindan to build a new community centre in Kalamunda.

Representatives from Western Australia's education and tourism sectors have expressed cautious optimism the state's institutions are well placed to ride out the effects of the current novel coronavirus outbreak, as the state government pledges $2.9 million in extra funding to aid in combatting the impact it will have on WA's tourism sector.

Fringe World Festival has grown to give thousands of artists the chance to showcase their work, although the financial returns can vary.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia will make an $83 million provision for insurance claims from the recent bushfires across the country.

Funds manager Perpetual plans to buy US responsible investments firm Trillium Asset Management to take advantage of growing demand for sustainable investment.

Australian stocks seem set to end the week on a positive note despite continued international concern about the deadly coronavirus epidemic and its impact on the global economy.

Telstra follows Rio in scrapping reverse factoring

Oil prices fell 3 per cent on Thursday to the lowest in three months on concerns over the potential economic impact of the coronavirus that continues to spread worldwide, while the market also considered the possibility of an early OPEC meeting.

Gold prices rose overnight as concerns of a slowdown in global growth due to a virus outbreak in China weakened risk appetite among investors.

Design agency HASSELL has been selected to develop a master plan for the 56-hectare Burswood Park on the Swan River foreshore.

Australian stocks have closed lower as gains by financial and consumer staples sectors failed to offset losses among resources and health care shares.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has sold its 10.5 per cent interest in Red 5 for $39 million, completed through a book build process at 30 cents per share prior to the ASX market open today.

Shares in Panoramic Resources have plunged by more than 33 per cent, falling to their lowest price since 2016, after the company downgraded production guidance for the underground Savannah mine in the Kimberley.

Construction has commenced on the Bushfire Centre of Excellence based at Nambeelup near Mandurah, with Perkins Builders contracted to deliver the site's $18 million build.

Primewest is spinning out five of its office assets in Perth and Brisbane into a new publicly listed fund, with the new trust's portfolio valued at around $285 million.

The City of Perth will hold elections on October 17, Local Government Minister David Templeman announced today, following the council's dissolution.

Fortescue Metals Group is anticipating iron ore exports to be at the upper end of guidance after posting record shipments for the first half of 2020, while also announcing plans to spend $US450 million ($A668 million) on a solar-gas power facility.

United Way WA, Barking Gecko Theatre and Co3 Australia are among the beneficiaries of $2.1 million of donations from Healthway and Lotterywest to aid companies in executing public health and wellbeing programs.

Gold Road Resources shares rose by more than 11 per cent today after the company announced higher than expected cash generation from its Gruyere gold mine in Western Australia.

The renewal of four major contracts with Fortescue Metals Group and Rio Tinto has maintained Sodexo's status as the largest operator in the state's facilities management sector.

Insurance giant Suncorp Group expects the cost of three natural hazards in its second half to be capped at $300 million.

Nearmap shares sunk nearly 30 per cent after the aerial mapping company issued an earnings warning, saying it had lost two major clients in North America as mapping for the driverless car industry stalled.

Australian stocks remained in the doldrums at noon as gains in big banks and consumer staples failed to offset losses among resources and healthcare shares.

Huawei's bid to end 5G ban

Oil prices were mixed overnight as worries about the coronavirus outbreak and swelling US crude inventories weighed on prices, counter-balanced by talk that OPEC could extend oil output cuts.

Gold gained overnight as worries over economic growth due to the fast-spreading coronavirus buoyed safe haven demand, with investors awaiting the US federal Reserve's monetary policy decision.

BetterLabs Ventures, RAC's early stage seed fund, has become WA's largest venture capital fund with the announcement last night it had expanded to $23 million.

SPECIAL REPORT: Bushfires on Australia's east coast will put pressure on emissions policy at a time when decisions are being made on major projects needed to boost the economy in the west.

Northern Star Resources said it was on track to meet production guidance of around 1 million ounces of gold this year, helped by its recent acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in the Kalgoorlie Super Pit and strong performance across its Australian operations, but also disclosed today an increase in its operating costs.

SPECIAL REPORT: A hiatus in the US-China trade war and an improved economic outlook gives WA leaders an opportunity to look at longer-term challenges such as climate change and technological disruption.