Matt Mckenzie

Business News’ CEO survey has unearthed strong views on the turbulent 12 months just gone, while also offering some timely advice to our political leaders.

The impact of falling export prices has been revealed in Canberra's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, as the federal government pushes the return to surplus out until the end of the decade.

Perth company Audiofly is hoping to replicate strong export sales during the past three years with the opening of a new store and headquarters on King Street in the city.

The federal government’s Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption has recommended criminal charges against a number of officials from the CFMEU and Health Services Union, while the government has also released terms of reference for a review of the country’s workplace relations framework.

Western Australia’s grain harvest for this season will be around 13 million tonnes, as a result of lower than forecast yields in some areas.

BC Iron has announced it is working with Mineral Resources on potential new investments at the Iron Valley mining operation in the Pilbara, to improve its commercial viability.

Western Australia led the nation in population growth in the 12 months to June 2014, but the state has experienced the slowest growth rate in eight years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Shares in transport and warehousing company CTI Logistics have dropped nearly 10 per cent today after a substantial profit downgrade.

Engineering services company RCR Tomlinson has announced it will sell and lease back four properties for $37.5 million, with the proceeds to be used to pay down debt.

Shares in Perth company Resource Equipment have climbed 85.7 per cent today after the board recommended a cash takeover offer valuing the company at $115.5 million.

Engine technology developer Orbital Corporation plans to raise $10 million via a convertible note issue to fund its acquisition of electrical product manufacturer REMSAFE.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering is the latest WA based company to commence an on-market share buy-back, as the trend towards returning capital to the market continues.

The state government will invest an additional $591 million to deliver the Perth Freight Link, including the Roe 8 extension, by 2019, with a plan to fund the investment through the first heavy vehicle user charge in the Perth metropolitan area.

Mineral developer IMX Resources will sell part of its Ntaka Hill nickel mine to Mauritius-based private equity company Fig Tree Resources Fund II, with plans to use the cash to fund its nearby graphite project.

The state government is proceeding with plans to create a City of Perth Act as part of its reform of local governments, with cabinet approving the drafting of legislation to be released early next year.

Crane hire company Boom Logistics is relying on staff cuts and surplus asset sales to pay down debt amidst challenging market conditions, the company said today.

The state’s private electricity providers have warned that an unfavourable result in the Energy Market Review could cause problems for independent operators, ultimately stifling competition and putting pressure on power prices.

Nickel miner Panoramic Resources has joined the list of Western Australian companies returning cash to investors through share buy-backs.

Mineral sands developer Mineral Commodities has become the subject of action in the High Court of South Africa, after a dispute over a garnet deposit at its Tormin operations.

Skilled Group has recruited senior Asciano executive Angus McKay as its new managing director.

Director of sandalwood producer TFS Corporation Patrick O’Connor has resigned from the board today, just weeks after stepping down as chairman as the company continues a refreshing of the board.

Mining services provider Viento Group has entered a trading halt after a legal dispute with a minority shareholder in its 65 per cent owned subsidiary, Power Infrastructure Services.

Shares in Range Resources have been suspended from quotation after two directors resigned from its board, pushing it below the level required under corporate law.

Just weeks after Canadian shareholders challenged its current board, shares in Heron Resources were driven up 13 per cent on news that a peace deal had been arranged.

Mining giant BHP has celebrated the export of its billionth tonne of iron ore to China, after a relationship of more than four decades, but the next billion is not far off.

Nido Petroleum has launched a $US108 million ($130 million) bid for Otto Energy’s share of the Galoc oil field, coming in ahead of a recent proposal by Risco Energy International.

Gold producer Doray Minerals was up more than 26 per cent today after confirming high grade gold results at its Andy Well mine, saying it confirmed the potential of extensions to the mine’s life.

Two thousand investors in failed Great Southern managed investment schemes will be forced to repay their loans after the Supreme Court of Victoria upheld a settlement that will see the investors get back just $23.5 million.

Former executive chairman of the Kimberley Diamond Company, Miles Kennedy, has left the role of managing director at Lucapa Diamond Company as part of a board restructure.

Silver Lake Resources has cancelled the $5.5 million sale of its Lakewood Mill near Kalgoorlie, after the buyer was unable to secure financing.

Redundancies and cuts to directors’ fees have helped BC Iron secure cost reductions at the Nullagine joint venture.

Resource Development Group has been assigned two construction contracts for Chevron’s Gorgon LNG project, following the demise of Killarnee Civil & Concrete Contractors.