Edited announcement

The state government has appointed Jennifer Smith as Senior Commissioner to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission, the first woman to hold the role.

Perth-based gold and nickel miner View Resources Ltd has announced plans to raise $20 million to complete the restart of its Bronzewing gold project, acquired from Newmont Mining Corporation in 2004.

Woodside Energy Ltd will acquire a 25 per cent interest in nine exploration blocks of the southeastern Brazilian coast, subject to the approval of Brazilian authorities, the company announced today.

Corruption and Crime Commission Commissioner, Kevin Hammond, has announced he will retire at the end of March 2007.

UK-based Renewable Energy Holdings' Perth-based subsidiary Seapower Pacific Ltd has taken a step towards full commercialisation of its CETO wave-power machine, announcing plans to install pre-copmmercialisation units today.

The State Opposition has called for Premier Alan Carpenter to identify the ministers who sought to influence high-level government appointments, an accusation levelled yesterday by a report from the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Breakaway Resources Ltd has appointed Freehills senior partner John Atkins as non-executive chairman of the company, following the acquisition of nickel tenements from LionOre Mining International Ltd.

West Perth-based nickel company Rusina Mining Ltd raised $3.5 million through a share placement to complete feasibility studies on the company's Acoje chromite surface mine.

IT Services provider ASG Group Limited today announced the acquisition of Sydney-based Vindaloo Systems, a leading Oracle solutions and managed services group.

Perth-based PharmAust Ltd has topped the local contingent in the Deloitte Tech Fast 50, claiming sixth spot in the national league ladder for 2006 and leading three other compatriots.

Perth Airport will invest $8 million in facilities to allow for the continued growth of the regional and resources-based aviation sector.

Mount Barker wine producer Plantagenet Wines will send 3,000 cases of its semillon sauvingnon blanc blend to Sweden's government controlled liquor outlets, supplying the only new Australian white to the range.

Salter Point-based health care company Medec Ltd has acquired New South Wales-based Centurion Tables Pty Ltd and will build a new head office in Sydney at a cost of $1 million over the next three years.

West Perth-based Straits Resources Ltd has purchased metal products distributor Varomet, to be paid for in cash and a scrip issue, the company announced today.

The State's first formal Aboriginal Court has opened its doors and will begin hearings in Kalgoorlie this week.

Perth-based gold explorer Gindalbie Metals Ltd has signed two agreements with the Geraldton Port Authority for access to facilities for the export of iron products from the Karara Iron Ore joint venture.

Perth-based Green Rock Energy Ltd has secured an insurance policy worth $4.8 million from the World Bank-administered Geothermal Energy Development Fund over the next eight years for its Hungarian geothermal energy joint venture.

Pindan Constructions has won an $18 million contract to build a three-storey office complex at the former Midland Railway Workshops for the WA Police.

The Transfield Services and WorleyParsons joint venture has signed an operation and maintenance contract for Griffin Energy's Bluewaters Power Station, four kms from Collie.

The Western Australian offices of Protocol Investigations and Marine & General Insurance Services will merge with Queensland-based Verifact Investgations on December 1.

More than 1,000 tourism operators from across Western Australia last night gathered for the industry's night of nights - the 2006 WA Tourism Awards.

The City of Subiaco has received a $6 million dividend for its contribution to the success of the Subi Centro Project.

Perth-based industry publisher Aspermont Ltd will acquire 30 per cent of New South Wales-based environment business publisher Waste Management and Environment Media Pty Ltd, expanding its reach into the Environment Management sector.

Almost 30 per cent of Perth companies have increased overtime levels, a survey by specialist recruiter Hays found.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr John Gilmour QC as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

West Perth gold mining and exploration company Agincourt Resources Ltd will sell its Brazilian Adorinhas Gold project to fellow West Perth company Troy Resources NL for around $13.2 million.

Transport systems technology developer ERG Group chairman Colin Henson told shareholders today the company had "reached a turning point" following its net loss of $74.8 million last financial year.

Jolimont short-term computer rental group Hire Intelligence International Ltd has announced an increase in expected earnings before interest tax and amortisation to between $2.1 million and $3.1 million for the 2006-07 financial year.

Malaga-based scaffolding and form-work supplier PCH Group Ltd has secured four contracts in South East Asia and the Middle East after its recent expansion into international markets, the company announced today.

Join the family firm after school or university? It used to be a given for sons and daughters of successful business owners, but not any more.

Two days after announcing a $20 million capital raising for its West African Iron Ore project, Perth-based Sundance Resources Ltd announced it was seeking an additional $10 million.

West Perth-based mining explorer Western Areas NL will acquire up to 19.9 per cent of issued capital in Canadian company Mustang Minerals Corp, after making a $5.7 million placement.