Matt Mckenzie

Federal Liberal politician Sussan Ley will resign as minister for health, aged care and sport after coming under fire in recent weeks for expense issues, although she insists she followed the ministerial code of conduct.

The state’s businesses leaders are optimistic about improved conditions in the year ahead, according to feedback from the annual Business News chief executive survey, with tax reform identified as a priority issue whichever party is in government after the March poll.

Rental, hiring and real estate services were among the industries that fared worst as external administrations jumped 14 per cent in Western Australia for the September quarter, as insolvency experts warn that an economic rebound has not yet clearly emerged.

Mineral sands producer Iluka Resources has scaled back a proposed accommodation camp at the planned Cataby project near Cervantes in a move to reduce capital costs as it works to complete a feasibility study.

Grain handler CBH Group has shaken off a soft performance in its downstream Interflour businesses to report a 10 per cent increase in its surplus to $110 million for the year to October, after 13.6 million tonnes were transported through its network.

An improved performance by some of the state’s miners boosted the Business News index of listed Western Australian companies, the BN30, to finish almost 19 per cent higher over the year (2016).

The federal government will be sticking to its guns on the Roe 8 project, Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher affirmed today, saying the $1.2 billion committed by the Commonwealth to the project would not be reallocated.

Two listed investment companies controlled by Euroz Securities will pay out nearly $5 million in half-year dividends, with Westoz Investment Company announcing a 3 cent per share payout for investors while Ozgrowth will distribute 0.25 cents per share.

Perth oil and gas hopeful Po Valley Energy is heading to London, with the company planning to list its Sillaro gas asset in northern Italy on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market in a bid to raise up to $3.7 million.

A lift in Western Australia's merchandise exports to China of nearly $700 million from October to November helped Australia record its first trade surplus in three years, but more could be on the way this year.

Mid-tier iron ore miner Atlas Iron has repaid $54 million of debt to reduce its term loan to $118 million, amid expectations in will be in a net cash position by the middle of the 2017 calendar year.

Lithium exploration at Forrestania, north of Ravensthorpe, will be a priority for Marindi Metals after the company completed a capital raising worth nearly $3.2 million.

BMD Constructions has won a $13.6 million contract from Main Roads for a new traffic bridge in Australind, creating a third crossing over the Collie River.

West Perth-based technology company Brainchip Holdings has announced it has deployed its card game monitoring technology at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, US.

Security services provider Threat Protect Australia is considering a move to acquire assets from east coast player Apollo Security for around $6 million, after tying up an option for its two business units.

A fall of 5.6 per cent in new vehicle sales for the past year in Western Australia, to 100,234, takes to nearly 22 per cent the reduction in annual sales since 2012.

Peter Bacchus and John Turner have joined the board of Galaxy Resources, while Perth-based Craig Burton has been appointed to the board of NSW company Atrum Coal.

ASX-listed manufacturer Alexium International Group has signed an initial agreement to supply chemicals to a US homewares company for a new line of cool-touch pillows, in a move the company said could eventually generate revenues of $US10 million per annum.

Acting Premier Liza Harvey has spruiked the government’s recent move to relax the eligibility criteria for Keystart and increase the first homebuyers grant, saying it had received more than 1,100 enquiries.

The Roe 8 road project will be cancelled if the Labor Party wins the upcoming state election, opposition leader Mark McGowan said today, even though the government has already signed a contract for construction, with $236 million of funding to be re-allocated to three alternative roads.

Environmental approvals to allow mining below the watertable have been granted for BC Iron's Iron Valley mine site, in a move that will give the company potential to extend the life of the project.

A $52 million impairment has been taken by Alcoa World Alumina Corporation on its share of the Warro gas project in the Perth Basin, after the company determined exploration results by project operator Transerv Energy did not support the existing carrying value.

Livestock exporter Wellard has confirmed it has again breached banking covenants, and expects a loss for the first half of the 2017 financial year.

A number of board members have joined the list of substantial holders at Quest Minerals as the company seeks to raise money amid ongoing court battles, while Steve Formica has been appointed to the board.

Chinese chemical company Shandong Mingrui Group will buy a lithium project in Southern Mali from ASX-listed Birimian Resources in a $107.5 million deal.

The appointment of Richard Homsany as executive chairman at West Perth-based uranium hopeful Toro Energy ties up leadership changes at the company with chairman John Cahill resigning today just a month after managing director Vanessa Guthrie.

Two local not-for-profit groups have announced changes to their leadership today, with UnitingCare West appointing Amanda Hunt as chief executive from March next year while St Vincent de Paul Society WA chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick will leave that role in February.

The proposed part sale of Western Power is not the only move towards increased private investment in the utilities sector.

Alcoa World Alumina Corporation has locked in a contract to directly export 400,000 tonnes of bauxite from the Huntly mine in Western Australia, as the company continues a move towards shipping of the commodity in unprocessed form.

Shares in contractor Tempo Australia were up 24 per cent in morning trade after the company announced a $9.5 million placement to a vehicle controlled by Transfield Holdings co-managing director Guido Belgiorno-Nettis.

Ironbark Zinc has been awarded a mining permit for the Citronen zinc-lead project in Greenland, and will now commence advanced development and financing activities.

A period of strong cattle prices has boosted Western Australia’s largest pastoral companies, with the state’s four biggest cattle-focused plays increasing revenue about 9 per cent to $1 billion in their most recent annual reports.