A summary of the news across the nation
The West Australian business news
Cazaly: the plot thickens
A Federal Court was told that Cazaly joint managing director Nathan MacMahon was paid up to $50,000 a year by Forrest Metals Group to secure Pilbara iron ore tenements at the time when Cazaly got hold of Shovelanna.
Worsley studies $900m expansion
The alumina player announced a full feasibility study. EPA findings due next week.
Scott Park beats ousting push
Home building chief Scott Park has survived attempt through the courts to push him out of the company by a key investor.
Great Southern looks to branch out
Agribusiness investment manager Great Southern Plantations may look at using its 5000-strong distribution network to sell property trusts and superannuation products. It also looking at using gearing for the first time.
Westpoint arms buckles under debt pressure
Property group Westpoint's subsidiary York Street Mezzanine Pty Ltd called in the administrators, a day after ASIC went public with news of a major investigation.
General: Bali blasts devastate Air Paradise
Niche international airline Air Paradise International suspended its services yesterday, citing a big downturn in passengers to its only destination, Bali, following more terror attacks there.
Main business-related stories in today's Australian newspapers
THE AUSTRALIAN
Page 1 - A near-record budget surplus of more than $14 billion for 2005-06 has been predicted by Treasury officials; Gangland lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson has accused Victorian Police of conspiring to force her out of the legal profession.
Finance - The big players in the Pilbara are at war after BHP Billiton announced plans to help a small mining company develop an ore body snatched from under the nose of Rio Tinto.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
Page 1 - Communications Minister Helen Coonan has rejected Telstra's demands to stop the ACCC cut the price rivals pay to access its copperwire phone network; state governments are demanding an extra $2.7 billion from the federal government for public hospitals.
Page 3 - Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer claim to have been misled as to One.Tel's financial position in May 2001.
World - Conrad Black has been granted a one-week reprieve before he must appear in a US court to face fraud charges.
Companies - The BHP Billiton board is expected to approve a $US40 million contribution to the expansion of its partly-owned Alumar alumina refinery in Brazil.
