Edited announcement

The WA Nationals fear that flood-affected shires in WA may face financial ruin unless the State Government steps in with special funds to repair damaged local roads, bridges and other community infrastructure.

Western Australian oil and gas player Baraka Petroleum has begun a US$3.7 million airborne survey of its Taoudeni Basin in Mali

West Perth-based Avoca Resources Ltd's joint venture partner Encounter Resources Ltd has lodged a prospectus to raise $ 4 million to be used to further develop the two companies joint venture arrangement for the exploration of uranium deposits in WA.

The WA Nationals have welcomed the new round of State Government grants to help WA farmers improve on-farm water supplies, but have called for an even greater level of funding while the State can afford it.

The Australian Information Industry Association's 2006 iAwards are set to recongnise ICT innovation across a total of 19 key industry categories with nominations closing on February 23rd, 2006.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission is calling for a major overhaul as to how prospectuses should be written to make them shorter and more effective.

The acquisition of Easteel Industries Ltd and a tax concession helped boost Welshpool-based RCR Tomlinson Ltd's net profit for the December half year to $7.6 million.

The battle for a major stake in Nedlands-based Axiom Properties Ltd took a new turn today with joint venture vehicle Saramac Nominees and Axiom entering an agreement that would see Saramac paying $11.6 million for a 49 per cent stake in Axiom.

Perth-based Vietnam Industrial Investments Ltd has entered into a non-binding expression of interest with an interested party for the sale of Vinausteel Ltd, in which it has a 70 per cent interest, and its wholly owned SSESTEEL Ltd for a total of US$9 mil