Edited announcement

Initial Public Offering activity in Western Australia accounted for nearly 15 per cent of all Australian float activity for 2005, according to a report released today.

The idea of establishing a special horse training and equine precinct in historic York will be assessed by the State Government land developer LandCorp.

The newly formed Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance, which now includes Golden West Resources Ltd, announced that it would be commissioning a study into the development of a strategic transport plan for the Mid West region's southern corridor.

Henderson-based Austal Ltd recorded a half yearly net profit of $18.6 million, down 11.5 per cent on the previous corresponding period.

The Woodside-operated Chinguetti oil project in Mauritania, West Africa, has begun production.

Automotive retailer and logistics group Automotive Holdings Group Ltd posted a first half net profit of $9.5 million, with the company believing it is on track to reach the prospectus forecast full year 2006 earnings of $16.9 million.

Australia's newest purpose-built convention, exhibition and meeting venue, the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre has been recognised as the best in the country after winning the 'Meetings & Business Tourism' title at last night's 2005 Australian Tour

West Perth-based gold explorer Goldstar Resources NL has taken a further step towards advancing its Walhalla Gold project in Victoria's East Gippsland region with the completion of a fully subscribed $5.1 million share placement.

The strength of Western Australia's economy has again been confirmed with yesterday's release of the December 2005 Quarterly Financial Results report.

Diversified property group Peet & Company Ltd has posted a half year net profit of $17.1 million.

Construction of stage one of the Albany Ring Road will commence this month, linking South Coast Highway and Albany Highway in the City of Albany.

Western Australian community groups have the chance to share in $100,000 in grants for innovative projects which promote reconciliation and respect for indigenous heritage and culture.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Jeffrey Lucy has confirmed ASIC alerted investors in two Westpoint projects about the commission's concerns in relation to their investments.

The wrangling over Fortescue Metals Group Ltd's access to BHP Billiton Ltd's Mount Newman railway line continued at the 9th Annual Iron Ore & Steel Forecast Conference yesterday.

A new guide for developing renewable energy projects in Western Australia was launched by the state government today.

Kalgoorlie-based gold company Focus Minerals Ltd announced final cash payments had been made by the Redemption joint venture to complete the acquisition of the Coolgardie Gold project.

Perth-based IT services provider ASG Group Ltd has posted a half year net profit of $2.2 million, an increase of 325 per cent on the previous corresponding period, exceeding the company's predictions.

Shares in Herald Resources Ltd have fallen almost 10 per cent after yesterday's $126 million capital raising to fund its Dairi zinc-lead mine in Indonesia.

BP's new $6.4 million crude oil unloading facility at the Kwinana refinery will officially be opened this morning.

The Skills Formation Taskforce is in Bunbury as part of its state-wide tour to address the skills shortages facing Western Australia and its booming economy.

Subiaco-based Deep Yellow Ltd has agreed to acquire 100 per cent of the uranium rights to Dominion Mining Ltd subsidiary Dominion Gold Pty Ltd's Western Gawler tenements in South Australia.

Perth-based miner Minara Resources Ltd recorded an annual net profit for 2005 of $43 million, with product sales higher than the previous year despite the impact of plant interruptions.

Eighty-six per cent of West Australian business people and 66 per cent of the general community were in favour of the state adopting daylight saving according to surveys released by the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Iron ore explorer Aztec Resources Ltd will restart operations on Koolan Island after receiving approval from Environment minister Mark McGowan.

The famed Ashes urn - perhaps the world's most famous and celebrated sporting artefact - will be exhibited in Perth in December when hordes of English fans are expected to arrive for the test series.

Kambalda nickel producer Mincor Resources NL posted a first half net profit of $10 million, achieved on nickel sales which have risen nearly 50 per cent on the previous corresponding period.

Diversified resource group Batavia Mining Ltd announced a placement and a proposed early exercise of June 2006 options amounting to an $8.9 million capital raising (prior to costs) to underpin an accelerated exploration, feasibility and pre-development pr

East Perth - based Home Building Society Ltd will raise $5.13 million to provide capital needed to meet the growing demand for loans.

Balcatta-based Orbital Corporation Ltd reported a first half net loss of $1.4 million, compared to a loss of $1.8 million for the same period last year, with its CEO confident the company will make a full year profit.

IMF (Australia) Ltd has today announced that it will fund national law firm Slater and Gordon to assist in an ongoing investigation of the various "mezzanine" schemes promoted by Westpoint Corporation Pty Ltd.

Despite softening in some commodity prices and a surge in farm input costs, 2006 is shaping up as a positive year for Australian agriculture and agribusiness, according to a recently-released industry report.

West Perth-based biotechnology company Rockeby Biomed Ltd has completed further distribution deals in Europe for its Avian bird flu diagnostics as the strain of avian influenza A, H5N1, spreads from Asia to the European Union.