Matt Mckenzie

Workers at the DP World terminal at Fremantle Ports are striking today after negotiations between the company and union broke down over provisions to restrict automation and outsourcing in a draft bargaining agreement.

A $180 million project to house up to 2,500 fly-in, fly-out workers for the expansion of Woodside Petroleum's Pluto LNG plant was approved by the local joint development assessment panel in December.

About $1.9 billion will be split between the Insurance Commission of Western Australia and other creditors of Bell Group when a settlement deal, signed in December, comes into effect later this year.

There’s a sense of optimism in Fremantle amid a flurry of new venue openings, supported by a potential investment pipeline of nearly $1 billion.

An emerging battle for the future of WA’s energy industry and efforts to revive Perth’s street precincts have been among the defining themes of 2019.

Chevron and Newcrest have signed a supply deal for 16 petajoules of domestic gas until 2023, while a new analysis of the state’s gas market says the Scarborough and Browse developments are necessary to ensure sufficient supply.

Australia, China and the US can cooperate in the South Pacific on big data and in artificial intelligence, according to a visiting senior Chinese policy adviser, while encouraging Western Australia to get involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Australia needs to consider its trading relationship with China in light of alleged human rights violations against tens of thousands of the Uyghur ethnic minority, community representative Rushan Abbas said at a media briefing organised by the US consulate.

At least $1.6 billion of equity has been raised by WA-linked critical minerals hopefuls in the past five years, but achieving consistent returns is another battle.