Mark Beyer

John Langoulant has undergone a big change over the past year, moving from his role as under treasurer to become chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

The lean state of the Liberal Party in Western Australia following its February election loss is reflected in the small group of people wielding influence in the party.

This year’s list of influential executives in the resource sector has two defining characteristics – it’s a long list and it’s dominated increasingly by multinational companies.

If money equals power and influence, then Perth’s prominent private business owners must rank as some of the state’s most influential people.

This time last year, Rugby WA chairman Geoff Stooke and cricket legend Dennis Lillee were not regarded as major players in the running of sport in Western Australia; but that changed with a vengeance late last year.

The editor of Western Australia’s only daily newspaper, The West Australian, heads the list of opinion leaders in the state.

Two recent Australians of the Year, Professor Fiona Stanley and Dr Fiona Wood, head the list of influential people in the field of science and technology.

The North West Shelf Venture’s $2 billion phase V project, which received formal go-ahead last week, is expected to generate only half the jobs of the Venture’s last big expansion.

The State Government has challenged the accuracy of an Auditor-General’s report on iron ore royalties as it continues its efforts to abolish ‘concessional’ royalty payments by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.