Matt Mckenzie

Mining company profits have fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter, taking their decline in the year to March to 25.7 per cent, according to the latest business indicators released by the Austra

Developing markets in Mozambique, Russia and Papua New Guinea are the new targets for local marine services player Bhagwan Marine.

A Western Australian business more than a century old and a local player exporting internationally have cited innovation and perseverance as their secrets to success upon their induction to the Family Business Australia hall of fame today.

Less than a year after its takeover of construction contractor Central Systems, Resource Development Group is selling subsidiaries Ecologia Environment and Intellect Systems.

Sitech WA has announced the acquisition of Versatech Engineering Solutions for an undisclosed sum, adding to its range of specialist equipment for the heavy machinery and construction sector.

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 2.5 per cent increase to the national minimum wage to start from July 1, prompting fears it could worsen an already tough job market.

Australia’s largest ever philanthropic donation is bearing fruit, with the first five recipients of the Forrest Foundation research scholarships announced at the University of Western Australia today.

New South Wales has overtaken Western Australia as the favoured destination for Chinese direct investment in Australia, as the near decade-long resources and energy sector boom tails away.

Some smaller retail operators in and around Perth are taking advantage of the ad hoc nature of regulation in Western Australia to open 24 hours a day.

An expanded Independence Group would hope to eventually enter the ASX100, chief executive Peter Bradford told a Western Australian Mining Club lunch yesterday.

A 270 kilometre-long gas pipeline connecting Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon hub operations to the Dampier natural gas pipeline was officially opened today.

LEADING human resources experts hosted a forum in Perth last week on the issue of redundancies and downsizing, a timely dialogue considering the state’s economic malaise.

CONFIDENCE in the commercial construction and home building sectors is driving borrowings growth in Western Australia, despite the gloomy economic outlook contained in the state budget.

Shares in gold and copper explorer Frontier Resources doubled on news it will acquire an 80 per cent stake in the Gold Ridge mine in Guadalcanal, previously operated by St Barbara.

Two well-known mining industry executives will assume control of ASX-listed Brumby Resources in a merger they hope will establish the new company as a producer in the medium term.

Mid West iron ore miner Karara Mining has completed a $US1.48 billion refinancing of its bank debts, providing a share price boost for its part owner Gindalbie Metals.

Global Construction Services has won a scaffolding contract for the Sino Iron project by Citic Pacific Mining.

Western Australia has developed a strong edge in resources technology but must continue to invest in innovation as it faces competition from other regional players and beyond, according to the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance.

Western Australian universities have featured prominently in an expanded research funding program announced by federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne, with three resources-related centres scoring nearly $15 million between them.

Having taken Perth by storm in the past year, Uber is planning a new car pooling product that could cut traffic congestion and transportation costs if the experience in other cities is repeated, general manager (Australia) Simon Rossi told a Business News Success & Leadership breakfast this morning.

THE state’s live cattle exporters are preparing for an improved season ahead, while farmers in the processed meat market have already enjoyed a dramatic improvement in fortunes so far this year.

A report from consultants Wood Mackenzie to be released at today’s Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association conference predicts further delays to the start of production for the state’s new LNG projects, including Gorgon trains 2 and 3.

Almost 60 Western Australian businesses were declared insolvent in February 2015, an increase in the state’s share of national insolvencies compared with recent years.

Western Australian government net debt is forecast to peak at $35 billion in 2017-18, but Treasurer Mike Nahan is confident that asset sales and a lagged rebound in GST revenue will help pay it back.

Revenue write downs of more than $10 billion across the forward estimates have taken a sledgehammer to the state's budget position.

A recapitalised Stanfield Funds Management is set to resume trading on the ASX today, with a new focus on Asian technology companies and a strong Western Australian connection.

The federal government has adopted a Keynesian-style stimulus policy with its new temporary instant asset write-off, moving cash flows for small businesses forward and recouping the revenue in later budgets.

Accelerated depreciation for small businesses, a tough new multinational tax avoidance law and a $5 billion concessional loan scheme for northern Australian infrastructure development were among the new policies announced in last night’s federal budget.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has delayed the federal government's return to surplus by another year, forecasting that the country will be not be in the black until 2019-20 and meaning the Commonwealth will extend its run of seven deficits to 11.

Copper miner Aditya Birla Minerals has suffered a contractor fatality at its Nifty copper mine in the Great Sandy Desert.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion is confident the state is set for further long-term growth as an energy exporter and a hub for industry knowledge.

The Roebuck Basin has become a new area of interest for the state’s petroleum explorers, creating some positive stories amid falling oil prices.