Sam Jones

Follow

Sam Jones joined Business News in April 2024, covering tech, defence, innovation, cybersecurity, accountants, Asian engagement and federal politics.

Prior to joining Business News he spent five years living and working in WA's North West.

The first two years were spent in South Hedland covering a broad range of topics including local and state politics, small business, Aboriginal affairs, sports and human interest stories.

Mr Jones then moved to Broome, where he took the position of Northern Papers Editor for Seven West Media and was responsible for producing four weekly newspapers across the Pilbara and Kimberley.

Connect

sam.jones@businessnews.com.au

Left: ETU's Adam Woodage. Right: Chamber of Minerals and Energy's Aaron Morey.

Mining 2 days ago

Unions claim strike success despite low numbers

The Electrical Trades Union has declared the first strike action at BHP's Port Hedland operations a success, while the Chamber of Minerals and Energy says it proves the union is "out of step" with its members.

Podcasts 2 days ago

Mark My Words July 17 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Sean Cowan, Jack McGinn, Isabel Vieira, Sam Jones and Claire Tyrrell to talk about the big events of the week in WA business and politics.

Graphic: Business News. Bill Gates photo: © European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Technology, Innovation & Science 2 days ago

Did Bill and Twiggy quietly map a red dust digital empire?

Microsoft co-founder and tech billionaire Bill Gates quietly visited Western Australia earlier this year to scout hyperscale data centre opportunities in the Pilbara.

Perth Airport. Photo: Gabriel Oliviera.

Transport & Logistics 2 days ago

Perth Airport bracing for industrial action

Perth Airport says it's aware of planned industrial action by members of the United Workers Union relating to ongoing pay disputes with a contractor.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 16 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 16 2026

Jack McGinn and Isabel Vieira discuss the mining companies leading the renewables push in the Goldfields.

Qantas. Photo: Jordan Murray.

Technology, Innovation & Science 16 Jul 2026

Qantas cleared of wrongdoing in cyber incident report

The final report into last year's Qantas hack, which affected approximately 5 million Australians, has found that there was nothing more Qantas could have done to prevent the incident.

Argenica managing director Liz Dallimore. Photo: David Henry.

Technology, Innovation & Science 16 Jul 2026

Argenica partner with Curtin for concussion study

Curtin University research has found Argenica's flagship stroke drug, which protects brain tissue from dying immediately after a stroke, can also significantly reduce the impacts of concussion.

Renders for the Silk Logistics site. Photo: Hesperia.

Property 16 Jul 2026

Hesperia expands Kewdale logistics hub

A logistics centre in Belmont's Kewdale industrial area has been approved after planners struck a late compromise on lot amalgamation, sustainability requirements and height controls.

Partnered Health's Morayfield health hub. Photo: Partnered Health.

Technology, Innovation & Science 16 Jul 2026

WA health clinics caught up in data breach

Patients from health clinics in Rockingham, Joondalup and Armadale may have had their data, including consultation notes, compromised as part of a cyber attack on Partnered Health.

Karratha. Photo: Tom Zaunmayr

Property 16 Jul 2026

Fleetwood in $20m Karratha village purchase

Fleetwood is set to become the largest FIFO accommodation provider in Karratha after agreeing to purchase the 2,169-bed Red Dog Village from Bechtel in a deal worth $20 million.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 15 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 15 2026

Sam Jones and Isabel Vieira discuss the bi-annual corporate finance feature.

David Riches.

Energy 15 Jul 2026

GenusPlus wins $55m Rio contract

GenusPlus Group will deliver a 220kV upgrade to Rio Tinto's Millstream substation after being awarded a $55 million master construction contract.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 14 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 14 2026

Gary Adshead and Sam Jones discuss leaked government documents revealing how much taxpayer money has been spent on attracting major events to WA.

Fabian Le Gay Brereton and Peter Tickler. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 14 Jul 2026

WA energy flexibility platform Gridcog raises $14m

A WA-founded firm developing software that can model the most effective use of energy assets has secured US$10 million ($14.4 million) in a Series A investment round to expand its software services globally.

ACOB

Podcasts 13 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 13 2026

Gary Adshead and Sam Jones discuss the recent moves in Premier Roger Cook's cabinet.

Photo: Kevin Horvat

Technology, Innovation & Science 13 Jul 2026

Lifeline confirms cyber incident exposed data

Lifeline Australia has confirmed that staff and volunteer information has been exposed in a cyber incident, but insists no help seeker information had been compromised in the breach.

William Buck managing partner Conley Manifis. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Professions 13 Jul 2026

William Buck acquires Equiti Partners

Accounting and advisory firm William Buck has expanded its WA footprint through the acquisition of Subiaco-based firm Equiti Partners.

Rumin8 chief executive David Messina said the feed conversion figures alone underscored the product value. Photo: Rumin8.

Technology, Innovation & Science 10 Jul 2026

American tests validate Rumin8 carbon credits

A Perth startup backed by Andrew Forrest and Bill Gates says tests across the Americas have validated its novel bovine feed's ability to reduce methane emissisons, increase the efficiency of feed, and produce carbon credits.

Podcasts 10 Jul 2026

Mark My Words July 10 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Gary Adshead, Sam Jones and Claire Tyrrell to discuss the big events of the week in WA business and politics.

A Helicopter Logisitics helicopter. Photo: Helicopter Logistics.

Contracts 10 Jul 2026

Helicopter firm wins $30m state contract

A Perth helicopter company, which once dropped a one-tonne ball made of rubber bands from a chopper to see if it would bounce, has been awarded a $30 million state government contract.

Photo: Kevin Horvat/Unsplashed.

Technology, Innovation & Science 10 Jul 2026

Russian cyber group attacks distributor

A notorious Russian cybercriminal group that recently shut down Australia's second-largest sugar producer for weeks has now targeted one of the nation's largest gourmet food distributors, which has a facility in Bassendean.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 09 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 9 2026

Jack McGinn and Isabel Vieira discuss the growth of Kalgoorlie company Topdrill.

The 5 Watts Place property. Photo: CBRE.

Property 09 Jul 2026

Bentley data centre sold for $13m

A data centre in Bentley's Technology Park, which houses Vocus infrastructure, has been sold to a London-based buyer for some $13 million.

Main pic: Paul Papalia. Inset: Labor's new candidate for Secret Harbour Georgia Tree.

Government 09 Jul 2026

Former Labor adviser runs for Papalia’s seat

WA Labor has selected a former federal adviser and current Woodside employee, Georgia Tree, as its candidate for the upcoming Secret Harbour by-election, following the retirement of Paul Papalia.

Richard Marles said the increased fines are an intentional lever to force telcos to invest properly in infrastructure maintenance.

Technology, Innovation & Science 09 Jul 2026

Marles confirms Telstra probe after outages

Richard Marles has warned telcos that a failure to meet obligations will come with heavy penalties, as Telstra faces a sweeping investigation into a network crash that locked Australians out of vital Triple Zero services.

ACOB

Podcasts 08 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 8 2026

Mark Beyer speaks to Sam Jones about the growth of in-house construction divisions.

Telstra.

Technology, Innovation & Science 08 Jul 2026

GenusPlus denies Telstra outage blame

Contractor GenusPlus said media reporting which appeared to imply the company's own infrastructure was contributing to Telstra's nationwide outages was incorrect.

Photo: Proteomics International Laboratories.

Technology, Innovation & Science 08 Jul 2026

Proteomics granted US patent for PromarkerEndo

Shares in Perth biotech Proteomics International Laboratories have shot up after the company secured a US patent for its game-changing early detection test for endometriosis.

ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage and AMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Mining 08 Jul 2026

Unions to strike after BHP loggerhead

Workers at BHP's Port Hedland operations will down tools for eight hours as part of the first union-backed action in the Pilbara for more than 30 years.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 07 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 7 2026

Mark Beyer and Sam Jones discuss a partnership between Wesfarmers and Built.

Generic photo

Mining 07 Jul 2026

Austral pips Larvotto with $80m Hammer bid

Austral Resources has submitted an $80 million bid to acquire Hammer Metals, adding some $25 million to the offer made by Larvotto Resources for Hammer in June.

Qoria co-founder and managing director Tim Levy.

Technology, Innovation & Science 07 Jul 2026

Court approves Qoria merger

A merger between Perth cyber safety software developer Qoria and Boston-based Aura Consolidated Group has received the green light from the Federal Court of Australia.

X