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

Corporate Finance DealsView all

AMA Group

ATO ruling halts $508m auto deal

Tayler Neale Tayler Neale
22 Jun 2018

Perth investor Andrew Hopkins’ planned $508 million buyout of national panel beating business AMA Group has been cancelled after the group failed to get an expected ruling from the Australian Taxation Office.

Eve Investments

Eve in $3m buy

Business News Business News
21 Jun 2018

Subiaco-based Eve Investments has purchased tea tree oil business Jenbrook in cash and scrip for about $3.4 million.

Fleetwood Corporation

Fleetwood sells caravan business for $1m

Tayler Neale Tayler Neale
21 Jun 2018

Perth-based Fleetwood Corporation has sold its struggling caravan manufacturing business, with the company forecasting an overall loss of up to $15 million on the deal.

Woolworths

BP backs out of Woolworths petrol deal

AAP AAP
21 Jun 2018

BP Australia has backed out of a deal with Woolworths to buy its petrol business more than six months after the consumer watchdog rejected the deal.

Botanix Pharmaceuticals

Local tech firms raise $13m

Business News Business News
20 Jun 2018

Two local biotech companies have announced capital raisings today, with Botanix Pharmaceuticals tapping investors for $8 million, while Roto-Gro International has boosted its coffers with a $4.5 million raising.

Most CommentedView all

University of Western Australia

UWA moves into top 200 world ranking

Business News Business News
29 May 2018

The University of Western Australia has moved into the top 200 of the Centre for World University Rankings list, while Curtin University also jumped 135 spots in the latest annual results.

Mercedes College

Activate Perth makes first move

Katie McDonald Katie McDonald
30 May 2018

A new association is aiming to liven up the streets of the CBD and fill its empty spaces with startups and creative enterprises via short-term and rent-free rolling leases.

Quintis

Quintis offered $175m recapitalisation deal

Tayler Neale Tayler Neale
31 May 2018

The creditors of sandalwood company Quintis, led by US group Blackrock, have proposed injecting $175 million to take control of the business, in a deal that is likely to leave shareholders with no return.

Lendlease

Indigenous gallery creates interest at Watertown

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
31 May 2018

A team of talented young indigenous artists has brought colour to the walls of a retail space in Watertown, owned by Lendlease, with the opening of a new gallery led by 21-year-old Noongar man Peter Farmer Jnr.

BGC Australia

BGC sale a unique opportunity

Mark Beyer Mark Beyer
05 Jun 2018

BGC’s vertically integrated structure is unlike any other business in Australia and will narrow the field of potential buyers.

Politics & the EconomyView all

Tax relief flows west

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
22 Jun 2018

A greater proportion of Western Australian taxpayers are likely to benefit from immediate changes to tax thresholds passed through parliament yesterday than other states, according to Business News analysis of Australian Taxation Office data.

Bentleys

$144bn tax plan passes Senate

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
21 Jun 2018

Nearly three in four taxpayers will pay a marginal tax rate of 32.5 per cent from 2025, with the government’s plan to flatten the income tax system approved by the Senate today, despite moves to lower company tax still stalled.

WA population grows 0.8%

Business News Business News
21 Jun 2018

Western Australia’s population growth remains subdued, with the state recording a 0.8 per cent increase for the 12 months to December, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Pilbara leads spike in WA job vacancies

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
20 Jun 2018

Job vacancies in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions hit their highest level in four years in May, as demand for engineers, IT professionals and automotive trade workers in Western Australia takes off.

Shire of Ashburton

Ashburton, Peppermint Grove nation's highest income locales

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
19 Jun 2018

Western Australians still have higher median incomes than those in other states despite recent softening, according to data released today, with Ashburton and Peppermint Grove the nation’s top local government areas by the measure.

Upcoming Business News EventsView all

Rising Stars Awards - 2018 Rising Stars Awards C...

Beaumonde On The Point (upstairs ballroom and function centre), 306 Riverside Drive, East Perth - 27 June 2018

Success and Leadership - Charlie Bass - CEO and...

Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Perth - 25 July 2018

PropertyView all

Aegis Aged Care Group

Aegis facility revitalises heritage site

Katie McDonald Katie McDonald
25 Jun 2018

Sitting empty for three decades, the old Swanbourne Hospital site has been given a new lease of life, reopening as a high-end aged care residence and function venue.

Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority

Iconic Scarborough on the cusp of approval

Katie McDonald Katie McDonald
25 Jun 2018

A key government advisory body has recommended the Iconic Scarborough twin-tower project be given the green light when the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority board meets tomorrow.

Yolk Property Group

Yolk to transform Champion Lakes

Katie McDonald Katie McDonald
22 Jun 2018

Yolk Property Group, in partnership with Southern Cross Care, will develop one of the last remaining sites at the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority’s Champion Lakes residential development, with plans for more than 100 new dwellings along with a wellness, aged care and retirement precinct.

ANZ Banking Group

Moody's tips Perth house price recovery in 2019

Katie McDonald Katie McDonald
21 Jun 2018

Perth’s house values will decline for another year but are tipped to recover in 2019, a report released today has found, conflicting with an ANZ analysis from earlier this week that predicted further house price falls for the state in the next two years.

BGC Australia

BGC hotel assets on the market

Katie McDonald Katie McDonald
20 Jun 2018

BGC Australia has kicked off its asset sale program with the listing of the recently completed Westin Perth and Aloft Perth hotels, along with an adjoining commercial office building in Rivervale, a CBD development site and a neighbouring food and beverage precinct.

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.
26 Jun 2018 | @ 08:30am
HR Link Quarterly Briefing
26 Jun 2018 | @ 10:00am
State of Social
26 Jun 2018 | @ 12:00pm
AmCham Business Briefing with Adrian Griffin, Managing Director, Lithium Australia
26 Jun 2018 | @ 04:00pm
Engine Room Business Innovation Networking Event
26 Jun 2018 | @ 05:30pm
AIM WA Sundowner - Performance Management
26 Jun 2018 | @ 05:30pm
#SMPerth June - Drinks for Perth Social Media
27 Jun 2018 | @ 08:30am
China Ready Workshop
27 Jun 2018 | @ 06:00pm
2018 Rising Stars Awards Cocktail Party
28 Jun 2018 | @ 07:30am
Joondalup Innovation Hub - The Cyber Security Capital of WA
28 Jun 2018 | @ 12:00pm
WA Mining Club June Luncheon - Miners on the Move

Arts & CommunityView all

Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science

Stan Perron donates $10m to neurological research

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
22 Jun 2018

Stan and Jean Perron have announced they will be donating $10 million across 10 years to the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, adding to a multitude of reasons Mr Perron was awarded State Shaper by The 500 Club today.

Crown Resorts

CEOs raise $500k in Sleepout

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
22 Jun 2018

Sixty-three Perth business leaders slept rough last night for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, raising about $513,000 to go towards alleviating homelessness.

Subiaco Arts Centre

Subiaco brings opportunities for artists

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
21 Jun 2018

The positive response to the Subiaco Theatre Festival has led to a near doubling in the size of the annual event this year.

Perth Festival

Festivals claim $127m impact

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
15 Jun 2018

The state’s two leading arts festivals have a large role to play in the cultural and creative vibrancy of Perth during the summer months, according to their impact reports released this week.

Artist uses business success to back fundraiser

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
13 Jun 2018

Broome-based artist Helen Norton has combined an entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit with her artistic skills to forge a successful career over the past three decades.

Featured PhotographsView all

Hadiqa Moroccan Restaurant & Bar at Hibernian Place
Meeting room and rooftop
Success & Leadership breakfast with Chris Sutherland, Programmed
Element office kitchen
The Melbourne Hotel
Conservatory
Riff powered by SpaceCubed
Riff powered by SpaceCubed
Sculpture By The Sea 2018
Sculpture By The Sea 2018

EnergyView all

Power Ledger

Power Ledger in Silicon Valley electric car deal

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
20 Jun 2018

Perth-based blockchain business Power Ledger has signed a deal to work on an electric vehicle charging project in California’s Silicon Valley.

WA rooftop solar to triple: AEMO

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
14 Jun 2018

Rooftop solar capacity across Perth and surrounds will nearly triple in the next decade, to be about 2.3 gigawatts, as the Australian Energy Market Operator confirmed current capacity and demand side management was sufficient to meet forecast demand on the South West Interconnected System power network.

Horizon Power

Tudor heads east from Horizon

Nicholas Clarke Nicholas Clarke
13 Jun 2018

Frank Tudor has resigned as managing director of Horizon Power to take the reins of eastern states energy player Jemena.

Contract Power Group

Horizon Power awards Onslow solar contracts

Business News Business News
05 Jun 2018

Horizon Power has awarded contracts to CPS National and Contract Power Group for the construction of a solar farm and battery storage in Onslow.

Agility Logistics

Onslow marine base set to expand

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
01 Jun 2018

The state government has signed off on a $16.8 million Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan for the stage two expansion of Onslow Marine Support Base, located at Beadon Creek and operated by Kuwait-based Agility Logistics.

"Mark My Words" PodcastsView all

22 June 2018

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Perth house price outlook, Atlas Iron takeover, BGC asset sale starts, WA job vacancies, population growth and an interview with the CEO of HBF.
15 June 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss BHP’s new iron ore mine, plus more good news on lithium and nickel, the battle over Atlas Iron and shipping rights at Port Hedland, Perth house prices – which suburbs have delivered the best long-term returns, and our special report on infrastructure.
08 June 2018

PODCAST: Mark Beyer, Matt Mckenzie, and Katie McDonald discuss the latest economic growth data, three intriguing takeover prospects (Atlas Iron, HBF, BGC), stockmarket floats, including Primero group, agricultural projects in WA's north, the continuing debate over fly-in-fly-out, and our special report on Perth apartment projects.
01 June 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss FMG expansion, Quintis, Cooper & Oxley, defence contracts, Immersive Technologies, and our special report on distilleries and breweries.

25 May 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss BGC, Wesfarmers, National Lifestyle Villages, battery plant speculation, blockchain, and our special report is information and communications technology.

Food & WineView all

KordaMentha

Chocolate cafe into liquidation

Business News Business News
25 Jun 2018

The Perth-based Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe franchise has been placed into liquidation, just over a year after the business opened on St Georges Terrace.

Boston Brewery

Vic Park bar voted best in Australia

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
12 Jun 2018

Victoria Park bar the Dutch Trading Co has been named the best beer venue in the country, as judged by a panel of 23 industry leaders coordinated by Beer and Brewer Magazine.

Gage Roads Brewing Company

Gage Roads buys Matso's for $16m

Tayler Neale Tayler Neale
08 Jun 2018

Gage Roads Brewing Company has struck a deal to purchase Matso’s Broome Brewery for $16.1 million, along with a $12 million capital raising to fund the acquisition.

Nail Brewing

WA brewery tops international competition

Tori Wilson Tori Wilson
18 May 2018

The local beer label behind Northbridge Brewing Company and Whitfords Brewing Company has won the top prize at Australia’s most renowned beer competition, hosted in Melbourne last night.

Varnish on King

King of Queen Street lifts veil on new Moroccan bar

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
15 May 2018

With the outlook for the small bar sector becoming more positive, hospitality entrepreneur Andy Freeman has embarked on a $2 million Moroccan-themed venue in Perth’s east end.

Special ReportsView all

Infrastructure contractors

Infrastructure contractors

18 June 2018

Transport, energy projects create opportunities

Labour challenge looms as work ebbs and flows

Labour challenge looms as work ebbs and flows

Matt Mckenzie 18 Jun 2018
State still sorting contracts

State still sorting contracts

Matt Mckenzie 18 Jun 2018
From Bibra Lake to the Big Apple

From Bibra Lake to the Big Apple

Matt Mckenzie 18 Jun 2018
Contractors switch on for next generation of power

Contractors switch on for next generation of power

Matt Mckenzie 18 Jun 2018
Apartment developers 2018

Apartment developers 2018

11 June 2018

Apartment sales up amid shift in density debate

Apartment sales up amid shift in density debate

Katie McDonald 11 Jun 2018
Development visions align

Development visions align

Katie McDonald 11 Jun 2018
Finance squeeze shifts focus

Finance squeeze shifts focus

Katie McDonald 11 Jun 2018
Don’t knock it till you try it

Don’t knock it till you try it

Katie McDonald 11 Jun 2018
Breweries & Distilleries

Breweries & Distilleries

05 June 2018

New products and venues as sector matures

Locals develop a taste for distilling gin

Locals develop a taste for distilling gin

Tori Wilson 05 Jun 2018
Provenance and innovation key as local brewers get crafty

Provenance and innovation key as local brewers get crafty

Tori Wilson 05 Jun 2018
Stallwood on track to Nail craft brews

Stallwood on track to Nail craft brews

Tori Wilson 05 Jun 2018
ICT – small business 2018

ICT – small business 2018

28 May 2018

ICT convergence changes market

ICT convergence changes market

Mark Beyer 28 May 2018
Data #3 expands into CBD

Data #3 expands into CBD

Mark Beyer 28 May 2018
Giving Well 2018

Giving Well 2018

21 May 2018

Philanthropists, charities changing focus

Structure, strategy fuel funding

Structure, strategy fuel funding

Tori Wilson 21 May 2018
Events still deliver the goods

Events still deliver the goods

Tori Wilson 21 May 2018
Giving with intent when done on Purposed

Giving with intent when done on Purposed

Tori Wilson 21 May 2018

MiningView all

Orica

Miners, farmers could face higher input costs

Mark Beyer Mark Beyer
25 Jun 2018

The federal government has launched an inquiry into cheap imports of ammonium nitrate following an application by three local manufacturers, including Wesfarmers subsidiary CSBP and Orica.

Talison Lithium

Greenbushes expansion proceeding despite legal threat

Matt Mckenzie Matt Mckenzie
25 Jun 2018

Work is continuing on the stage one expansion at Greenbushes lithium mine, according to Talison Lithium, despite the business hitting a legal speed bump in a dispute with Global Advanced Metals.

Rio Tinto

Making friends with machines

Tim Treadgold Tim Treadgold
25 Jun 2018

While cost savings are one reason for greater automation in workplaces, ever-improving robotic capabilities are hastening the uptake in a range of industries.

Orion Minerals

Orion, Kibaran, Flinders raise $30m

Tayler Neale Tayler Neale
25 Jun 2018

Three junior explorers have announced capital raisings worth up to $29.5 million, with Denis Waddell-led Orion Minerals tapping investors for $17.3 million.

Spitfire Materials

Spitfire and Excelsior in $80m merger

Tayler Neale Tayler Neale
25 Jun 2018

Junior gold explorers Spitfire Materials and Excelsior Gold, which own neighbouring projects north of Kalgoorlie, have agreed to a merger, with the new entity worth about $80 million.

OpinionView all

Mark my words podcast

Mark Pownall Mark Pownall
Mark Beyer Mark Beyer
22 Jun 2018

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Perth house price outlook, Atlas Iron takeover, BGC asset sale starts, WA job vacancies, population growth and an interview with the CEO of HBF.

Battery Minerals

Electric cars struggle to get pedal to the metal

Tim Treadgold Tim Treadgold
21 Jun 2018

Analysis: Rising supplies of battery metals, and sluggish demand for electric vehicles worldwide, are challenging local players in the sector.

Positive spin helps spark sales

Jeffrey Gitomer Jeffrey Gitomer
21 Jun 2018

Any day is only as ‘bad’ as you let yourself believe it is, and the same is true on the upside.

Mark my words podcast

Mark Beyer Mark Beyer
Mark Pownall Mark Pownall
15 Jun 2018

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss BHP’s new iron ore mine, plus more good news on lithium and nickel, the battle over Atlas Iron and shipping rights at Port Hedland, Perth house prices – which suburbs have delivered the best long-term returns, and our special report on infrastructure.

Ticking the boxes on eligibility

Peter Kennedy Peter Kennedy
15 Jun 2018

Opinion: A big weekend of by-elections could have been avoided if tighter candidate guidelines were in place.

RetailView all

Metcash

Metcash shares lift despite $150m FY loss

AAP Business News
25 Jun 2018

Metcash shares have rallied after the supermarkets wholesaler announced a $125 million share buyback alongside an impairment-driven full-year loss of $149.5 million.

Hall Chadwick WA

Kambo's into administration

Business News Business News
11 Jun 2018

Customers of local whitegoods and home appliance retailers Kambo’s and Liebe + Haus have been told they will need to wait several days before finding out if their credit purchases are still valid after the two jointly-owned businesses were placed into administration on Friday.

Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers pledges focus on returns

AAP AAP
07 Jun 2018

Wesfarmers bosses have vowed to focus on delivering returns to shareholders after the company's disastrous foray into the UK hardware market.

Metcash

Metcash to take $352m hit

AAP AAP
06 Jun 2018

Metcash will take a $352 million hit in its full-year results due to weakness in the Western Australian economy and the decision of one of its South Australian supermarket customers not to renew its contract.

Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers leadership changes

Business News Business News
30 Apr 2018

Wesfarmers has announced two leadership changes today, with Officeworks chief executive Mark Ward set to step down at the end of the year, while former New Zealand prime minister Bill English has been appointed to the board of the Perth-based conglomerate.

Most viewed people

Mark Norwell

Mark Norwell

Executive General Manager, Strategy &
Growth (since 2018), Thiess
Incoming MD &
CEO (from Sept 17, 2018), Ausdrill

John Poynton

John Poynton

Director, Linc Property
Non-Executive Chairman, Giving West
Council Chairman, Christ Church Grammar School
Non-Executive Chairman, Warrington Property
Non-Executive Chairman, Jindalee Partners
Non-Executive Director, Crown Perth
Non-Executive Chairman, Strike Energy
Board of Guardians, Future Fund

Wayne Bramwell

Wayne Bramwell

Non-Executive Director, Ardea Resources
Chief Executive, Artemis Resources

Sonia Tait

Sonia Tait

Regional Manager, Mid West, Shooting Stars

Bert Mondello

Bert Mondello

Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, ZipTel
Non-Executive Director, WestStar Industrial
Non-Executive Chairman, Servtech Global Holdings
Head of Corporate, Regency Corporate
Non-Executive Chair, Emerge Gaming

Thought LeadershipView all

Breaking into the global marketplace

James Cook University James Cook University
18 Jun 2018

With the rise of globalisation comes the increasing demand for businesses to expand into international markets in order to stay competitive. This can create significant opportunities for organisations of all sizes, however it can also pose a great risk if approached in the wrong way.

St Vincent de Paul Society WA Inc

Helping people with no choices

Deanna Watson Deanna Watson
14 Jun 2018

Imagine what you would do if you found yourself homeless, if you lost your job and couldn’t pay your bills, if you couldn’t provide a meal for yourself or your family, if you didn’t have a safe and se

MSS IT

How the GDPR affects you, even if you think it doesn’t

Harriet Mellor Harriet Mellor
05 Jun 2018

You’ve probably heard about the GDPR, but have you taken action in time for the 25 May enforcement date? Here’s my quickstart guide to compliance for Australian businesses.

Zetta

If you don’t test your DR strategy how can your organisation be IT Resilient?

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper
31 May 2018

I.T. has come a long way since the days of merely providing a computer, mouse, and keyboard to its employees. Technology is now fundamental to the operation of any business.

Help – It’s performance review time!

Toby Goor Toby Goor
29 May 2018

My fellow graduates and I feel unsure about how well we will fit into a new workplace, and how other employees and management will treat us.