Edited announcement

Western Australia's operating surplus for the nine months to March 31 was $1.5 billion, compared with $939 million for the same period a year earlier, according to The March Quarterly Financial Results Report by the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Perth-based gold company View Resources Ltd has announced the appointment of Tim Gooch as managing director and Trevor Cook as chief operating officer of the company.

West Perth-based biotechnology company Rockeby Biomed Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pacific Biotech, whereby Pacific will assign the ownership of the avian and human influenza rapid diagnostic tests to Rockeby .

Rural confidence has stabilised in Western Australia, but remains relatively weak, according to the latest results of the Rabobank Rural Confidence survey.

Opposition Leader Paul Omodei has called on the Labor Government to fast-track the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes.

The State Government has announced plans for a new wind farm for Kalbarri as part of an $18 million expansion of a major renewable energy program for regional Western Australia.

Penalties for corporations that pollute the environment will be increased five-fold to a maximum of $5 million under a plan proposed by the Carpenter Government to crack down on pollution.

The State Government will establish a new committee to improve Western Australia's chances of winning the lucrative Square Kilometre Array international radio telescope project.

Peet Byford Syndicate Ltd has issued a prospectus to raise $8.5 million for a 19.7-hectare parcel of strategically placed land in the Perth suburb of Byford.

Alinta Infrastructure Holdings has today successfully finalised the renegotiation of the key terms on it's $873.6 million senior syndicated debt facility.

Consumer Protection Minister Michelle Roberts has alerted Western Australians to a new tactic being used by shysters who have resurrected an old scam similar to the illegal pyramid scheme known as the 'David Rhodes Chain Letter'.

Burswood-based waste management company Environmental Solutions International Ltd has announced all conditions precedent in relation to the acquisition of Asia Pacific Coal and Steel Pty Ltd have been satisfied.

Perth-based IT services provider ASG Group Ltd is expecting to report earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation for 2006 of at least $6.7 million, representing a 42.5 per cent increase on 2005 financial year.

The new Minister in the Carpenter Government, Tony McRae, will have responsibility for Disability Services; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests and Assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.

The Carpenter Government has moved to protect Western Australia's natural environment and valuable agricultural industries with a $41 million commitment to biosecurity activities.

The State Government will investigate Australian Forestry Standard certification for native forests and State-owned plantations by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Forest Products Commission.

Middle Eastern steel producer Qatar Steel Company has signed a share placement agreement to acquire a significant (9.07 per cent) shareholding in Perth-based Sphere Investments Ltd.

Leederville-based medical research and development company Salus Technologies Ltd is looking to raise $800,000 to fund the development of the company's existing medical research projects primarily focused on advanced wound care technologies.

Subiaco-based Elkedra Diamonds NL has secured a $5 million standby finance facility with West Perth-based managed investment scheme LinQ Resources Fund.

Increased funding for arts organisations, new museum programs and designer fashion grants are some of the initiatives announced in the 2006-07 State Budget.

New tourism accommodation projects worth almost $1 billion are in the planning or construction stages in Western Australia.

Former managing director of BankWest, Terry Budge, has been elected chancellor of Murdoch University.

Global provider of mine production management solutions Gemcom Software International Inc has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire Perth-based mining software developer Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd.

Soaring global oil prices have hit Australian exporters where it hurts with a record low number expecting increased export orders in the next three months, however a growing diversity of export destinations suggest the tough times will be short-lived.

Property investor and manager Mirvac Group's subsidiary Mirvac Fini (WA) Pty Ltd has entered into an agreement with M.A.P. Nominees Pty Ltd and Preston Beach Resort Pty Ltd to plan the development of a 424ha site in Preston Beach, 120 km south of Perth.

South Perth-based wine producer Australian Wine Holdings Ltd has advised the placement of 48.6 million ordinary fully paid shares at 0.8 cents each has raised $388,800.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Tanami Gold NL's 100 per cent-owned Coyote Gold Mine, located in the Tanami-Arunta Province of Central Australia, has been officially opened today.

Environment Minister Mark McGowan today announced the existing Department of Environment and the Department of Conservation and Land Management would be merged to form a new agency.

Welshpool-based Mineral Commodities Ltd has launched a takeover bid for all unrelated shares in Erebus plc whose major asset is the ownership of an advanced diamond tailings dump re-treatment project in the African state of Sierra Leone.

Perth-headquartered IT services group Alphawest has announced it has been selected by the Queensland Government as part of its Shared Service Initiative.

Tasman Resources NL subsidiary Eden Energy has closed its inital public offer under the prospectus dated 29th of March, accepting applications for approximately $8.2 million worth of shares.

Subiaco rent-roll specialists Wentworth Mutual Ltd has acquired the management rights to The Regal apartment complex in Port Douglas, Queensland.