Mark Pownall

THE right government for the wrong reasons – that's my summation of last Saturday's election result.The Howard Government deserved another term.

GLOBAL IT group Iona Technologies is closing its Perth office to consolidate its Australian operations in Sydney.Two staff will be left working from home in Perth when the CBD office shuts shortly, leaving up to 15 people out of work.

EDUCATION has been touted by Labor as a key election issue, and quite rightly so.Unfortunately, it has played second fiddle to the immigration debate that has dominated this campaign, the issue likely to win Saturday's poll for John Howard.

THERE have been sweeping changes in the power structure at prestigious sports venue Royal Kings Park Tennis Club, with newcomers holding a majority of official positions following Monday night's annual meeting.

THERE has been a lot of talk lately of the bonuses, pay rises and special payments on retirement to company directors.

ALWAYS take the road less travelled is my rule.That's why I went to Canberra last week when most of the population, or so it seemed, had left.

THE Gallop Government's backflip on the premium property tax was a refreshing victory for common sense.

IT'S a bit of a recurrent theme (some might say nightmare), but this column again ventures into that most fruitful of subjects – tax.

WORD has it that some months ago, a high-powered team of executives from Western Power was invited to the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explain their view of the world of energy.

IT'S little wonder energy markets around the world have created headaches for governments .As markets go they are about as complicated as you can get.

THIS year has been one of the toughest in memory for market investors scrambling to make headway after the tech wreck of April 2000.

THE WA Wine Industry Association's efforts to woo drinkers from outside the State has resulted in an ambitious program of development both overseas and across the Nullarbor.

WITH attention focusing on the development of a “branch office economy”, who would rate the likelihood of a Perth-based diversified industrial being a standout performer in terms of long-term TSR performance at a national level?

THE more I look at the land tax proposal from the WA Labor party, the more I cringe at the issues that arise from it.

SHAREMARKET investors who stuck with WA's blue chips will be feeling chuffed – the top companies have proved three times as likely to beat key benchmarks as their locally-listed peers.

EVENTS of the past week or so have highlighted our vulnerability in so many ways.While the events unfolded in New York and Washington, many of us watching felt relieved that we lived so far away from such dangers.

WA wine executives Geoff Cook and Denis Horgan are among high-powered industry delegates meeting in Canberra to push tax reform ahead of the forthcoming federal election.

LEEUWIN Estate's scenic Margaret River setting could become the location for a high profile sports event to match the reputation it has earned in the arts through hosting its annual concert.

A SURGE in vineyard developments during the past three years is having a flow-on effect in liquor regulation with a growing number of applications for wine producer's licences.

AS the toll from the corporate pile-up mounts, Australia's chief financial regulator has been prompted to farm out its work around the nation, leaving the high profile One.Tel investigation in the hands of Perth-based Stephen Howell.

THE drama surrounding Ansett Airlines is something that should have been predictible.Australia has a poor record of sustaining more than two airlines servicing the national market.Remember the fiascos of Compass I and II.

THE worst kept secret is out.And, surprise, surprise, a Labor Government is raising taxes.

ACCOUNTING giant Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has established a specialist team in its WA operation to focus on the wine industry.

A SUBIACO wine storage company has gone into the personal investment business, offering wine portfolios for those who want to expand their investment horizons.

THE hype surrounding the Masters of Business Administration long ago reached its cresendo.

IT seems stockmarket analyst David Franklyn always has smile on his face.

AS the key ingredient to capitalism, there are good reasons why the role of competition should be vigorously debated.

LOGISTICS giant TNT is considering redeveloping its Kewdale site after recording strong growth in the WA market.

WESTERN Power's move into telecommunications is likely to stir up a hornet's nest, mainly because of the issue of government involvement in business.

WESFARMERS chief Michael Chaney is basking in the warm glow of success.There is little he can do wrong and, if he lives up to his forecasts, there is another year of pleasant headlines and generally positive devotion.

WHILE the directors of Australian Liquor Group remain tied down with legal action from the Coles-Myer takeover, one of the group's earliest proponents is setting a new course with a WA export business.

THE corporatisation of medicine is developing momentum, with advertising restrictions likely to simply be the next tradition to be pared away.Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, is matter of conjecture.