Steve Butler

CITIC admits mistakes with Sino Iron

CITIC Pacific has dumped construction contractor Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) from the expansion of its Sino Iron magnetite mine in the Pilbara.However, CITIC said yesterday it was still committed to the troubled project at Cape Preston...
March 1, 6:35 am
Browne out to repay Hitman's faith

Lucas Browne hopes a link-up with one of the world’s most popular boxers will pave the way to his own push for honours.“Big Daddy” Browne is in the first year of a three-year deal with Ricky Hatton, a former two-weight world champion and now a promo...
March 1, 6:34 am
PGA sticks with Gillam

The dust has settled on the first contest for presidency of the powerful Pastoralists and Graziers Association in 30 years, with Dongara farmer Rob Gillam holding on to the post he has held for the past five years.Mr Gillam defeated high-profile Kim...
March 1, 6:32 am
Station counts cost of direct hit

Surrounded by dead cattle and a trail of destruction left by flooding rain and cyclonic winds, Pardoo Station owner Graham Rogers didn't mince his words.The station bore the brunt of tropical cyclone Rusty's wrath when it crossed over as a category...
March 1, 6:28 am
WA, India in sheep deal

WA sheep farmers have hailed a breakthrough on lamb sales to India as a shot in the arm for the struggling industry.Australian lamb will be allowed into India free of quotas based on Australia's compliance with India's food regulations under a trad...
March 1, 6:28 am
Carnegie gets $1.27m grant

Special Minister of State and former Woodside Petroleum executive Gary Gray has urged a greater embrace of marine-based technology to help diversify Western Australia's economy.Mr Gray made the comments after announcing a $1.27 million Commonwealth ...
March 1, 6:26 am
VDM sells Como, posts $60m loss

Struggling contractor VDM Group has agreed to sell an engineering subsidiary back to one of its former owners for $7 million less than it cost, while reporting a $60 million loss for the first half.VDM said the management team of Como Engineers had ...
March 1, 6:24 am
Truckies slam roundabout

Albany truckies have labelled the town’s biggest roundabout as an accident waiting to happen and are calling on the State Government to put more money into regional roads.At a transport forum organised by the WA Nationals last week, heavy-haulage op...
March 1, 6:00 am
A night of Irish Furey

Irish folk legend Finbar Furey cannot wait to get started on his latest Australian tour.The Dublin-based musician promises audiences an intimate evening of nostalgic and spirited tunes when his two-month tour kicks off at Mandurah Performing Arts Ce...
March 1, 6:00 am
Food festival adds dash of fashion

Models may not be used to competing for attention on the catwalk but they had to work hard yesterday to outshine the culinary creations showcased by some of Perth's best chefs.Dressed in the latest season threads, the fashionistas shared the runway ...
March 1, 5:57 am
Granny flat rent rules relaxed

A re-elected Liberal government would let people other than relatives of homeowners rent granny flats in a bid to boost affordable housing.In the Liberals' second announcement in as many days in the Labor-held seat of Joondalup, Planning Minister Jo...
March 1, 5:53 am
Child care a Labor priority

Labor will ensure the integration of childcare facilities at new primary school sites in WA if elected.Mark McGowan made the announcement yesterday in Caversham, near the site of a promised primary school, and was joined by new mum Melissa Maiolo a...
March 1, 5:52 am
Leather look to brighten winter

Winter will be a lot less gloomy if Jennifer Hawkins has anything to do with it.The former Miss Universe strutted the catwalk in Melbourne last night in a succession of daring outfits at the launch of Myer's autumn-winter collection, which featured ...
March 1, 5:50 am
Expert bags prepacked apples

A new pre-packaged sliced apple product, boosted with additives to ensure it looks and tastes fresh, was "horrific" and a poor marketing tactic to encourage children to eat more fruit, a leading health commentator claims.Pharmacist and loca...
March 1, 5:49 am
Coalition denies asylum 'racism'

Tony Abbott is trying to quell a damaging internal flare-up after senior colleagues were accused of dog-whistling - sending a political message with two meanings - on asylum seekers.Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison wants asylum seeker...
March 1, 5:18 am
Port in business as cyclone fades

Port Hedland returned to normal yesterday after a 36-hour lockdown, with some flights resuming and ships returning to port as cyclone Rusty weakened.Rusty was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone yesterday afternoon after the category three storm ba...
March 1, 4:54 am
Rockingham council loses nightclub appeal

Rockingham ratepayers will have to foot legal costs incurred by the nightclub Zelda's after the Liquor Commission ruled the council had launched vexatious proceedings against the venue in its three-year fight to impose restrictions on the venue.In ...
March 1, 2:50 am
Fitness tests to combat police obesity

Police may be forced to undergo regular fitness tests as figures that show about 400 officers are unfit for frontline duty.Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan raised the possibility yesterday.He was responding to queries regarding the fitness of of...
March 1, 2:40 am
Year 12 students poor at spelling, grammar

Exam markers have raised concerns about widespread problems with illegible handwriting and poor spelling and grammar in last year's WA Year 12 English exam.A report on the stage-three English exam said "general areas of concern" included written exp...
March 1, 2:30 am
WA to get live Friday footy

Delayed telecasts of AFL games that have frustrated Perth footy fans will end this season.Channel 7 confirmed yesterday that Friday night games would be broadcast live to WA this season for the first time.It said all Friday night games would be live...
March 1, 2:20 am