Business News - Business, finance, political, &amp; economic news.

24 Apr 2018

Perth's inflation rate was just 0.1 per cent in the March quarter, bringing the total increase in consumer prices in the past 12 months to just 0.9 per cent, well below the national inflation rate of 1.9 per cent.

Programmed

Programmed signs on with Force

24 Apr 2018

Employment provider Programmed has signed on as the Western Force’s first major sponsorship partner for 2018, ahead of the launch of the World Series Rugby competition next month.

Solar/crypto project for Collie

24 Apr 2018

Collie could soon be home to a 20 megawatt solar farm and cryptocurrency 'mining' operation, after the Southern Development Assessment Panel recommended approval for a project led by energy entrepreneur Ben Tan.

Mitsui & Co

Mitsui move to compulsory acquisition

24 Apr 2018

Japanese group Mitsui & Co has begun the compulsory acquisition process of Waitsia gas field operator AWE, after increasing its stake in the oil and gas company above the 90 per cent threshold last week.

Corporate Finance DealsView all

Australian Finance Group

AFG in $10.9 million property lender buy

Adrian Rauso

19 Apr 2018

West Perth-based Australian Finance Group has announced it will purchase a 30.4 per cent stake of Sydney-based commercial property lender Think Tank Group for $10.9 million.

AMA Group

Hopkins in $508m panel beating buyout

13 Apr 2018

Perth-based Andrew Hopkins has led a $508 million buyout of national panel beating business AMA Group, with the deal backed by private equity giant Blackstone.

Woodside Petroleum

Large deals boost capital raisings

09 Apr 2018

The value of Western Australia-related equity capital markets deals jumped to $4.2 billion in the March quarter, helped to a large degree by a handful of large transactions.Of the 140 March-quarter de

Argonaut

AWE, Finders battles add M&A spice

09 Apr 2018

SPECIAL REPORT: Corporate advisory firm Argonaut had a lead role in two of the most hotly contested takeover battles in WA in recent times.

Pacific Energy

Pacific Energy finds smooth M&A path

09 Apr 2018

SPECIAL REPORT: Ten years after completing a company-defining acquisition, remote power operator Pacific Energy has struck another similar deal.

This week's most viewedView all

Civmec

Worker dies at Perth wastewater plant

AAP Business News

20 Apr 2018

A construction contractor from Henderson-based Civmec has died while working on a wastewater treatment plant upgrade in Perth's south.

Trinity College

Reshuffle of heads for Perth boys schools

20 Apr 2018

Long-serving leaders of three of Perth’s most prestigious boys schools have announced their departure during the past fortnight, marking a shake-up for the education sector.

Sirona Capital

Legal action dropped against Sirona Capital

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA

19 Apr 2018

The administrators of the Cooper & Oxley group of companies have withdrawn legal action in the WA Supreme Court against Sirona Capital, after trying to retrieve a $5 million investment.

WA unemployment hits highest rate since 2002

19 Apr 2018

Western Australia’s unemployment rate has hit its highest level in more than 16 years, despite the state’s economy adding jobs in March, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Baileys Group

Rottnest hotel set for major upgrade

19 Apr 2018

The state government has today announced plans for a major upgrade of Hotel Rottnest, while construction of the $20 million Pinky Beach eco village project, being completed by a joint venture between Baileys Group and Discovery Parks, has begun.

Most CommentedView all

Tourism boss dumped

06 Apr 2018

The director general of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Stephen Wood, will be leaving his job next week, after the government said it was not satisfied with his management of the tourism portfolio.

AMA Group

Hopkins in $508m panel beating buyout

13 Apr 2018

Perth-based Andrew Hopkins has led a $508 million buyout of national panel beating business AMA Group, with the deal backed by private equity giant Blackstone.

Miss Maud

Miss Maud Hotel sold to Stockholm Hotel Management

BRI Ferrier Western Australia

17 Apr 2018

Miss Maud’s Swedish Hotel and Restaurant at the corner of Pier and Murray streets has been sold to private company Stockholm Hotel Management, with the price rumoured to be around $10 million.

Cafes close in ATO battle

18 Apr 2018

Perth venues The London Court Cafe and Black Tie Co have closed their doors in recent weeks, as the holding company controlling the two brands enters liquidation following a dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.

Austal

Rothwell reflects on Austal journey

27 Mar 2018

John Rothwell remembers some of the most significant deals made in the early days of shipbuilder Austal, in the latest instalment in our series to celebrate Business News' 25th anniversary.

Politics & the EconomyView all

City of Perth

Power to lead City of Perth inquiry

24 Apr 2018

The state government has appointed Francis Burt Chambers lawyer Tony Power to undertake a year-long inquiry into the City of Perth, after the council was suspended last month following a tumultuous period.

Perth inflation just 0.1% in March

24 Apr 2018

Further consultation for energy guarantee

20 Apr 2018

State governments have approved more detailed design work on the National Energy Guarantee to proceed at a Council of Australian Governments energy ministers meeting today, although Labor state leaders still have objections.

WAFarmers

Live export ban cost up to $150m

20 Apr 2018

The cost to Western Australian farmers of a ban on live sheep exports could be more than 10 times previous estimates, as much as $150 million, according to a report released today.

Woodside Petroleum

Chaney says benefits of tax reform clear

19 Apr 2018

Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has said there’s a risk that major energy players may be dissuaded from investing into Western Australia if company tax reform is stalled, as the business closes in on a tolling deal for gas from the Browse field.

Upcoming Business News EventsView all

Success and Leadership - Success & Leadershi...

Hyatt Regency Perth - 03 May 2018

Rising Stars Awards - Entries now open for 2018...

To be announced - 27 June 2018

PropertyView all

Melbourne Hotel

Heritage a Melbourne drawcard

24 Apr 2018

The Melbourne Hotel is hoping its $40 million makeover, which aims to strike a balance between old and new, will give it a competitive edge in the Perth market.

Jaxon

Jaxon wins $35m aged care project

Australian Development Capital

23 Apr 2018

Craigcare has appointed local builder Jaxon to deliver its third aged care facility in Western Australia, located on Grandstand Road in Ascot.

ADC proposes new East Perth precinct

23 Apr 2018

A private syndicate of local investors led by Australian Development Capital has contracted to acquire a state government site in East Perth where it plans to develop a town centre with residential, retail, office accommodation and community space.

Silverleaf Investments

Freo Woolstores redevelopment blocked

20 Apr 2018

Silverleaf Investmenta' proposal to redevelop the Woolstores Shopping Centre in Fremantle has been knocked-back by the Metro South-West JDAP, largely due to its design.

Construction tenders April 20 2018

19 Apr 2018

TendererProjectCloseSubmissionsAlliance BuildersDurham Road School - library refurbishmentApr 29drafting@alliancebuilders.com.auBE ProjectsCaversham Primary School - under cover areaApr 24tenders@

WA Event CalendarView all

WA's most comprehensive guide to forthcoming business-related events. To list an upcoming WA event on this page, complete the online submission form.

27 Apr 2018 to 29 Apr 2018 | @ 08:00am

West Cape Classic Tarmac Challenge

27 Apr 2018 | @ 11:45am

CEDA - Postcode inequality - WA's economic challenge

28 Apr 2018 to 13 May 2018 | @ 09:00am

Margaret River Region Open Studios

01 May 2018 | @ 07:15am

INSPIRATIONAL LEADER SERIES - JIM WALKER FAIM GAICD

01 May 2018 | @ 07:30am

For the Good of the Game | Sports Governance Breakfast

01 May 2018 to 02 May 2018 | @ 07:30am

Hot Topix: Pilbara Kimberley Forum 2018

01 May 2018 | @ 09:00am

Building Your Brand Through Digital Marketing Workshop

01 May 2018 | @ 01:00pm

Facebook for Business: Insights into Marketing for Tourism Workshop

01 May 2018 | @ 05:00pm

Leading Complex Projects with Ed Merrow

02 May 2018 to 03 May 2018 | @ 08:00am

WACOSS Conference: Making Place

Arts & CommunityView all

Rio Tinto

Walsh to chair national arts council

23 Apr 2018

Former Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh will take up the position of Australia Council of the Arts (ACA) chair, as of July, after almost two years on the board.

Art Gallery of WA

Web puts photographers in the picture

17 Apr 2018

Perth photography business Salty Wings is a prime example of how creatives in the 21st century can drive success off the back of social media.

St Bartholomew's House

End Homlessness WA launches on Adelaide Terrace

13 Apr 2018

A group of not for profits that joined forces 18 months ago with a mission to end homelessness will today publicly launch its 10-year plan on Adelaide Terrace, followed by a music event through the streets of the CBD.

Town of Victoria Park

Social enterprise for homeless seeks $50,000

12 Apr 2018

An emerging social enterprise, The Underground Collaborative, is seeking about $50,000 to provide employment pathways for Perth’s homeless and disadvantaged amid plans to roll out a series of coffee carts across local parks.

Woodside Petroleum

Parks have friends in high places

12 Apr 2018

A not-for-profit group established and chaired by retiring Governor Kerry Sanderson has attracted strong corporate support in its mission to improve our state’s parks.

Featured PhotographsView all

The Melbourne Hotel

Conservatory

Riff powered by SpaceCubed

Riff powered by SpaceCubed

Sculpture By The Sea 2018

Sculpture By The Sea 2018

Sculpture By The Sea 2018

Club Swizzle

Club Swizzle

Club Swizzle

EnergyView all

Solar/crypto project for Collie

24 Apr 2018

Image Resources

Sunrise secures $7m solar win

23 Apr 2018

A solar power company founded by former Western Power manager Neil Danby and olympic basketballer Andrew Vlahov has picked up its first contract, winning $7 million of work for Image Resources’ Boonanarring mineral sands project.

Chevron

Gorgon build will mean workflow for contractors

16 Apr 2018

Chevron’s decision to build stage two of the Gorgon LNG project, announced on the weekend, takes the total value of petroleum industry investment committed or under construction in Western Australia to around $55 billion, according to state government data.

Roy Hill Holdings

Alinta unveils $45m Pilbara battery

13 Apr 2018

A new utility-scale battery launched in the Pilbara by Alinta Energy today will be Australia’s second biggest, behind Elon Musk’s Tesla battery in South Australia.

Synergy

Synergy JV in 210MW renewable build

Small Business Development Corporation

10 Apr 2018

The state government has today announced that two private investors will co-invest with Synergy in a joint venture that is planning to build up to 210 megawatts of renewable energy projects in the South West Interconnected System.

"Mark My Words" PodcastsView all

20 April 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall, Matt Mckenzie, and Katie McDonald discuss Gorgon stage two, corporate tax debate, defence contracts, employment data, fracking ban, tourism, and our building and construction feature.

13 April 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer, Matt Mckenzie, and Tori Wilson discuss Synergy and renewable energy, the Atlas Iron takeover, live sheep exports, Bill Shorten’s Perth visit, a new report on Kwinana, and the debate over training and apprenticeships.

06 April 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss house price recovery, lithium contract win, automation in WA, remuneration report, GST, indigenous contracting, our feature on corporate finance includes big recent takeovers and the trends in other mergers and acquisitions + a capital raising wrap-up.

29 March 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss Applecross towers, Scarborough high-rise, Gary Brown-Neaves, infrastructure priorities, cycling fund raisers, Wayne Martin retires, and our special report on agribusiness.

23 March 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss Trump’s trade war WA impact, residential property prices, population and labour statistics, World Trade Centre, Pacific Energy, ride sharing and our special report Most Influential.

Food & WineView all

Fresh greens at your fingertips

BRI Ferrier Western Australia

19 Apr 2018

Indoor plant solutions startup Urbotanica is hoping to springboard off the growth in healthy food preparation appliances with the launch of its UrbiPod.

Cafes close in ATO battle

18 Apr 2018

BDO

Jamie Oliver's Aust business hits trouble

Wines of Western Australia

17 Apr 2018

Jamie Oliver's business woes have deepened with his Australian restaurant group falling into voluntary administration.

Aust wine exports to China pass $1bn

16 Apr 2018

Lower tariffs have helped boost the value of Australian wine exports to China in the year to March 2018 to more than $1 billion - the first time that exports to a single country have hit that level.

Feral Brewing Company

Crafting the perfect brew

11 Apr 2018

WA’s beer offering today is a world away from the limited choices of just a few decades ago.

Special ReportsView all

Construction 2018

23 April 2018

Big builds bring confidence

23 Apr 2018

Payments’ security under review

23 Apr 2018

Dismantling the status quo

23 Apr 2018

Apprentices and training 2018

16 April 2018

Struggle to meet market needs

16 Apr 2018

Businesses wary of tax training plan

12 Apr 2018

Corporate finance March 2018

09 April 2018

Pacific Energy finds smooth M&A path

09 Apr 2018

AWE, Finders battles add M&A spice

09 Apr 2018

Large deals boost capital raisings

09 Apr 2018

Agribusiness 2018

03 April 2018

Agribusiness seeks global growth solutions

03 Apr 2018

Energising options to give farmers power

03 Apr 2018

Lower prices hit revenue

03 Apr 2018

Most Influential 2018

26 March 2018

The key players in politics, business, arts and property

Leadership can take many forms

26 Mar 2018

Saffioti plans taking shape

26 Mar 2018

Influencers and innovators shape arts sector outcomes

26 Mar 2018

MiningView all

Fortescue Metals Group

Cost increases for FMG

24 Apr 2018

Fortescue Metals Group has recorded higher production costs during the March quarter, while iron ore shipments were down slightly for the period.

Iluka Resources

Iluka Resources hit with class action

24 Apr 2018

Iluka Resources has been served with a class action, with a group of shareholders alleging the mineral sands miner misled the market six years ago.

Curtin University

Mining for local talent

24 Apr 2018

The WA School of Mines should include new disciplines and postgraduate degrees to insulate it from the cyclical resources economy, and help it become a global leader in its field, according to three former students who are now industry leaders.

Gold Road Resources

Cost increase at Gruyere project

23 Apr 2018

Gold Road Resources has announced cost increases and schedule delays due to recent heavy rainfall at its half-owned Gruyere gold project near Laverton.

Toro Energy

Toro plans gold exploration

23 Apr 2018

West Perth-based Toro Energy has announced a shift in strategy as the uranium-focused company begins a gold exploration program at its Lake Maitland project near Wiluna.

Current IssueView all

Issue for 23 Apr 2018 to 06 May 2018

Issue for 9 April 2018 to 22 April 2018

Issue for 26 Mar 2018 to 8 Apr 2018

Issue for 12 Mar 2018 to 25 Mar 2018

Issue for 26 Feb 2018 to 11 Mar 2018

OpinionView all

McKinsey & Company

Digital drive gives power to the people

Tim Treadgold

24 Apr 2018

Keeping pace with the changing demands of a digital marketplace is a challenge for many in business.

Mark my words podcast

Mark Pownall

Department of Jobs Tourism Science and Innovation

20 Apr 2018

Political posts and power plays

Peter Kennedy

20 Apr 2018

Opinion: The departure of career public servant Stephen Wood has raised questions about the role of the bureaucracy in providing frank and fearless advice.

Fremantle Ports

Union of convenience may be a step too far

Mark Pownall

19 Apr 2018

Past overreach on IR and current political realities combined to mute the federal government’s options in terms of the new ‘super union’.

Mark my words podcast

13 Apr 2018

RetailView all

Myer

Economists unconvinced by retail surge

Cash Converters International

04 Apr 2018

Department store sales helped retail spending rebound sharply in February, but economists aren't getting carried away by the surprisingly strong result.

Wesfarmers

Retail sector feeling the heat

Tim Treadgold

16 Mar 2018

Analysis: The franchising model could become the latest victim of the pressure being heaped on the retail sector.

Cashies delivers on profit expectation

19 Feb 2018

Cash Converters International has recorded an 18 per cent decline in net profit for the half year to December as the company transitions its business under chief executive Mark Reid.

Yowie Group

Yowie tumbles on US competition

14 Feb 2018

Shares in chocolate retailer Yowie Group dropped 21 per cent today after the company announced sales in the United States so far this quarter have been well down on expectations thanks to growing competition.

Pastacup

$150,000 fines for Pastacup breach