Australia's top companies are failing to follow global guidelines on bribery and corruption reporting and fall short of world's best practice, according to research by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and Net Balance Foundation Ltd.
Macmahon Holdings Ltd has further strengthened its takeover bid for Ausdrill Ltd, waiving several conditions and allowing shareholders to keep the final six cents dividend.
The downturn in the financial sector has hit West Perth-based financial services company Centrepoint Alliance Ltd, which today reported an $11.8 million goodwill writedown and a full year net loss of $9.5 million.
Fremantle-based oil and gas services company Mermaid Marine Australia Ltd has reported a net profit of $17.9 million for the 2008 financial year, up 43 per cent on the previous corresponding period.
Perth men Stuart Corp and Brian Smith appear to be in the clear after the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions filed a "notice of discontinuance" in the District Court of Perth.
West Perth-based intellectual property group ipernica Ltd has reported a record net profit after tax of $15 million for the 2008 financial year, up 244 per cent on the previous year.
Unprecedented growth in the Pilbara region looks set to continue according to new population projections from the Pilbara Industry's Community Council.
Nedlands-based gold company Dioro Exploration NL has secured two loans worth $14 million with BNP Paribas to meet ongoing development costs for two of its assets in Western Australia.
An increase in marketing and personnel expenditure against a background of flat sales growth has prompted Gage Roads Brewing Co Ltd to post a full year net loss of nearly $4 million.
Transfield Services has secured a $120 million three-year contract to provide asset management services to BHP Billiton Nickel West in Western Australia.
West Perth-based developer Cedar Woods Properties Ltd has beaten its earnings forecast, today posting a net profit of $21 million for the 2008 financial year, an increase of 11 per cent from the previous year.
Economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel has forecast a return to strong economic growth in the medium-term, once the current episode of ‘overdone pessimism’ has receded.
Perth-based Iluka Resources Ltd will capitalise on the high Chinese demand for zircon with a commitment today to spend a further $210 million to boost production at its Victorian projects.
The state Liberal Party is slowly closing the gap on the Carpenter government in the upcoming state election, according to punters with Sportingbet Australia.
The short-term outlook for state energy retailer Synergy appears robust with Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today assigning an A-1+ corporate credit rating.
West Perth-based mining company Sphere Investments Ltd is looking for a new partner for its Mauritanian iron ore project, after Qatar Steel walked away from acquiring a 15 per cent interest worth $130 million.
The mining boom has fed into mining services company Brandrill Ltd's full year net profit, which has increased 36 per cent to $11 million in fiscal 2008.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been forced to take a tougher stance on accepting undertakings during mergers following examples of businesses acting in bad faith, ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said today.
Small-medium enterprise investor Greencap Ltd has acquired two businesses in a scrip and cash deal worth $19 million while it plans to raise over $7 million through a share placement.
Balcatta-based clean energy technology group Orbital Corporation Ltd has confirmed plans to continue to expand in aligned business sectors after today announcing a $500,000 net annual profit.
Balcatta-based debt collection company Repcol Ltd has reported a $3 million net profit for the 2008 financial year, helped by a tax refund and the restructuring of its business.
Perth-based wealth management company Plan B Group Holdings Ltd has posted an 11 per cent increase in net profit after tax to nearly $5 million for the 2008 financial year.
The Australian Institute of Company Directors has named Rory Argyle the 2008 WA Gold Medal Award recipient in recognition of his outstanding achievements in business and the community.
Contrary to media reports, plans for development of a multi-user outer harbour facility at Port Hedland do not depend on a commitment by BHP Billiton Ltd to develop a new export facility.
Property manager Charter Hall Group has confirmed Medicare Australia will lease 5300 square metres of commercial office space at its ONE30 Stirling Street project, located on the fringe of Perth's CBD area.
PharmAust Ltd’s wholly owned subsidiary Epichem Pty Ltd has secured its largest single contract to date, a $3 million agreement with Swiss-based Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative.
International Goldfields Ltd has stepped up negotiations on a potential merger with West Perth-based Nkwe Platinum as representatives from both companies meet in London.
Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd chairman Ian Burston has stepped down as the company steps up evaluation of new acquisitions following the $400 million settlement of its namesake project.
