Mark Pownall

The federal government's announcement that the next tranche of Telstra is to be sold is good news.

The Brand Agency has scotched rumours of a buyout by big stakeholder, STW Group Ltd.

It is no doubt an exciting time for Western Australian exporters, with the state exporting $47.35 billion worth of commodities and goods in the year ending June 30, reflecting growth of 21.9 per cent from the previous corresponding period.

Conservative thinker and self-described true market liberal, Dr Mike Nahan has returned to live in Perth with plans to get involved in Western Australian policy at what he believes is a critical time in the state's development.

Richard Goyder has made the most significant move in his short tenure as Wesfarmers Ltd chief, creating a new stand-alone coal division and reshuffling his executive team on news of the departure of energy boss David Robb to head Iluka Resources Ltd.

This year's total shareholder return survey results are perhaps less surprising than usual.

I am finding this fuel debate quite extraordinary.

Western Australia's unemployment rate has dropped to 3.1 per cent for July 2006, another significant fall from the record low of 3.5 per cent recorded in June as the state's booming economy continues to create jobs.

Our 2006 branding survey – the fifth since 2002 – is the most comprehensive to date and is probably the first to show a marked shift in sentiment in a major Western Australian brand.

Imaging the South is a telemedicine pioneer, starting business in 1995 when its founder, Johnny Walker, returned from the UK.

Andrew Croft readily admits the purchase of Grange Deli in Cooloongup near Rockingham was not intended as a long-term business opportunity.

I can't work out whether Premier Alan Carpenter has pulled a masterstroke of politics or blundered beyond compare with his talk of reserving gas for domestic use.

Liberal Party state president Danielle Blain has hit back at claims that the party is broke, outlining a new fundraising strategy at the weekend state conference where accounts were revealed showing a significant asset base.

Small Business Development Corporation managing director George Etrelezis is to officially leave the organisation next week, ending the reign of one of Western Australia's great political survivors.

Well Written specialises in helping managers move their business or business unit forward by developing and formalising their management systems, policies and procedures.

A new phenomenon seems to have arisen across the nation. Australians now seem to think that the federal government's welfare and protection extends beyond our borders to anywhere they may be.

The glare of the markets can sometimes be a costly distraction for companies.

Housing affordability is something we are hearing more and more about. It's the classic case of an issue everyone knows is a major problem yet no-one is really prepared to deal with.

Jennifer Clay launched JH Computer Services more than 20 years ago in response to a need to service the emerging personal computer marketplace.

Evans & Tate CEO Martin Johnson is optimistic about the winemaker's future.

In an already competitive airspace, Western Australia's regional air charter sector is set to have a new player after Brisbane-based Alliance Airlines Pty Ltd muscled into the local business.

Regina Eccleston-Wirth started as a sole-trader in September 2005, and incorporated after four months, to become Waxing Moon Pty Ltd trading as The Nappy Tree.

Politics has always been a subject we've tried to cover objectively, seeing the issues from a business point of view, which is often quite removed unless the subject affects the bottom line.

Western Australia's biggest advertising agency Marketforce has announced a merger with local rival MJB&B, effective from August 1.

Patersons Securities Ltd has brought in former Western Australian stockbroker Andrew Coppin to drive its national expansion and, hopefully, share the spoils of success.

There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether or not Telstra will be investing billions in rolling out a new network.

Just as one battle ends, it may well be that another is beginning. Last week, Australian Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo made a submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry into tax issues, stating that 98 per cent of some 42,000 cases involving tax-

Perth-based stockbroker Patersons Securities Ltd has brought in former Western Australian broker Andrew Coppin to drive its national growth plans.

Perth debt collection specialist Keith John has sold his Pioneer Credit Management Services business into a listed national enterprise for the second time in the past six years.

A few months ago I found myself disagreeing with a move to gag barristers discussing their clients' cases.

Multiplex's construction arm may be saddled with the weight of troubles in the UK, but its fund management arm is not pausing for breath - lodging a prospectus for a $170 million fund raising for its new fund to buy the American Express site in Sydney.

iiNet founder and managing director Michael Malone has increased is stake in the company to almost 20 per cent, shelling out $4.3 million.