Chinese companies 'treated unfairly'

China's state-owned companies may be deterred from investing in Australia because they are being treated unfairly, according a Chinese business leader.

Commodity price falls impact WA index

The market capitalisation of Western Australia-listed companies in the Deloitte WA Index fell 2.6 per cent to close April at $142.5 billion, due largely to commodity price falls and lower than expected Chinese gross domestic product (GDP) data.

Merger moves among phosphate miners

Phosphate is back in fashion, with two offers in two days for a couple of Australian junior miners hoping to produce the fertiliser-making material.

Business up in March despite mining worries

Australian businesses are mildly confident about the future, despite concerns about possible weakness in the mining sector and political uncertainty in Canberra.

WA stocks rise despite falling commodity prices

Despite mixed commodity price movements, West Australian companies have continued their strong start to 2013, according to new data.

Mining wind back slows construction

A slowdown in the mining investment boom contributed to construction activity marking time in the final months of 2012. Total construction work done in Australia fell 0.1 per cent in the December quarter, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures on Wednesday show.