Mark Pownall

CAN a place that bans chewing gum and has been ruled by one party for decades offer Western Australia opportunities to develop our state and improve our government? Premier Colin Barnett certainly believes this may be possible and has let loose one of his

AFTER a busy two years building a substantial research team and getting through a series of early trials, the start-up biotechnology business founded by Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall, Ondek, is seeking around $10 million to fund the next phase of its deve

Colin Barnett has a fight on his hands if he wants tax distribution restructured.

AS timing goes, right now might well be an appropriate time to launch an industry body for corporate doctors.

BRENDON Grylls has had a dilemma before.Back in September last year, he was sitting pretty, holding the balance of power and able to decide who formed a government.

The financial crisis is a major challenge for governments as well as business.

BRETT Martin's ambitious attempt to build a major Western Australian manufacturing and retail empire has ended with voluntary administrators appointed to sell the boatbuilding assets of his Trailcraft Australia.

IT has been heralded as some sort of magic number - the 47 per cent debt-to-revenue ratio that is somehow tied to the state's financial future.

ICONIC meat processor Harvey Beef is sending shockwaves through the South West for the second time this decade as its private equity owners grapple with the viability of the business.

A failure to invest in the good times may come back to bite ... again.

Tycoon pulls plug on $1.5bn solar project; China risk to iron ore royalties; Labor ready to deal on IR reforms; Lloyds bank gets second bailout; D-day for Jupiter as Gilbertson orbits

STAYING close to customers is an important strategy to many of Western Australia's big private businesses.

WESTERN Australia's big private businesses hold surprisingly uniform views on most subjects, and that extends to the federal government's $52 billion in extra spending via two stimulus packages.

GORDON Martin may preside over one of Western Australia's leading private businesses, but it was his recent experiences in the public sphere that shaped his understanding of the current economic crisis.

ECONOMISTS have described the central bank's decision to hold the official cash rate this week as a pause to the rate cutting cycle.

AS Australia's oldest family company, Lionel Samson & Son has successfully weathered many economic storms.

THE resources sector has undergone a rapid change in circumstances with falling commodity prices, private investors on strike, and a tough attitude by banks.

The conservative management of WA's private businesses has left them in good shape

There seems to be a disconnect between the price of oil and petrol's price at the bowser.

Premier Colin Barnett continued talking up Western Australia's economy in the face of further bad global news, but also issued a warning that the state had to be treated fairly by the rest of the nation.

Big companies' behaviour in tough times is often predictable, but it's just the market at work.

Cross-cultural and historical influences are apparent at a new tapas bar in the CBD.

Recent deals by Patersons draw parallels with Hartley Poynton 10 years ago. Mark Pownall looks at how the market has changed since then.

Major players face off in north-west access stoush.

THE fallout from the global financial crisis has left many big investors with red faces as poor due diligence or undue risk taking has been exposed by the seismic wrenching in the financial system.

Has the government superannuation fund GESB's mutualisation stalled for good?

Financial crisis may present opportunities for tax reform.

A NEW obstacle to the privatisation of the state government's superannuation fund, GESB, has emerged with the tax status of the $5.47 billion accumulation fund, West State Super, in doubt.

BOATIES might have found a champion in Premier Colin Barnett, who has set his government's sights on a marina nestled into the northern part of Rous Head.

The privatisation of the state government's 300,000-member superannuation fund GESB remains stalled, with an expanding number of problems - including tax treatments - preventing the state from giving the move the green light.

IT might be just a small tweak to the left, but the state government's decision to go ahead with an extension to the northern rail line is likely to change the face of future suburbs all the way to Two Rocks.

BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe closure again raises the issue of a fly-in, fly-out workforce