Sam Jones

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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

Podcasts 7 hours ago

At Close of Business Podcast September 17 2026

Ella Loneragan and Sam Jones discuss a turnaround at the Chamber of Arts and Culture Western Australia. Plus; Labor's migration policy; sandalwood industry calls and Perth Mint's record revenue.

Government 1 day ago

Subs decision politically radioactive

Government and industry are headed for a collision over waste laws and long-term radioactive storage.

ACOB

Podcasts 1 day ago

At Close of Business podcast September 16 2026

Sam Jones speaks to Ella Loneragan about why a collision course is looming over waste laws and long-term radioactive storage.

Euroz Hartleys’ Ben Crossing (left), Andrew McKenzie and Tim Bunney. Photo: Michael O’Brien

Financial Services 1 day ago

Euroz directors endorse $145m BMO sale

Directors at Perth stockbroker Euroz Hartleys have given the green light for the sale of its corporate finance division to the Bank of Montreal in a deal worth $145 million.

xAmplify chief executive Wayne Gowland. Photo: supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 1 day ago

xAmplify expand to Perth with local acquisition

Canberra-headquartered AI and automation services specialist xAmplify has expanded into WA with the acquisition of Perth-based Accelerate IT Solutions.

Washington’s new cyber posture under Donald Trump (right) could cause headaches for Australia and Anthony Albanese. Image: AAP/Susie Dodds

Defence Economy 2 days ago

Why we shouldn’t back a hack attack

Australia would be reckless to follow moves by the US to outsource cyber warfare.

BHP has been locked in a pay dispute with unions for months. Photo: Tom Zaunmayr

Mining 2 days ago

Unions reject latest BHP Hedland pay offer

BHP's latest offer in a year-long industrial relations saga with workers at its Port Hedland operations has been rejected, with the unions calling for Fair Work to arbitrate a final agreement.

Premier Roger Cook with deputy premier Rita Saffioti. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Government 2 days ago

State to push legislation enabling rail buyback

The state government will push through legislation to enable its buyback of the South West rail freight network from operator Arc Infrastructure.

Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Property 14 Sep 2026

REA agrees to end 'anti-competitive' contracts

Real estate agents will no longer be forced to list all properties for sale and lease under contracts signed with the country's largest residential listing portal, RealEstate.com.au.

PolarBlue founder Grant Reynolds says Tasmania was selected for its wind, deep-water port, and shipping links. Photo: Pexels/Heather Soo.

Energy 14 Sep 2026

PolarBlue expands with $1.5b Tasmanian facility

Perth-born clean-energy disruptor PolarBlue is building upon its WA operations and crossing the Bass Strait, committing $1.5 billion to establish an advanced manufacturing hub in Tasmania.

Podcasts 11 Sep 2026

Mark My Words September 11 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Sam Jones, Tom Zaunmayr, Jack McGinn and Nadia Budihardjo to talk about the big events of the week in WA business and politics including the defence sector, Pilbara mining deals, gas reservations and Northern Star.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 10 Sep 2026

At Close of Business podcast September 10 2026

Nadia Budihardjo and Claire Tyrrell discuss strategic moves in Perth's retail spaces.

Shane Love (left) and Daniel Pastorelli (right) traded barbs over the awarding of EIS grants to uranium explorers.

Mining 09 Sep 2026

State questioned over 'at odds' uranium EIS grants

Shane Love and Daniel Pastorelli traded sharp words over whether the taxpayer-funded EIS exploration grants are at odds with the government's ban on uranium development in parliament on Wednesday.

Photos: Michael O'Brien.

Health 09 Sep 2026

Admin clearout for more beds at PCH

Administrative staff are set to relocate from Perth Children's Hospital to make way for 19 new neonatal beds and two specialised patient rooms, as the state government urgently expands clinical capacity.

Innovaero founder Mike von Bertouch. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Technology, Innovation & Science 09 Sep 2026

Innovaero books bell ring

Perth-based drone manufacturer Innovaero will debut on the Australian Securities Exchange this month, with its IPO offering valuing the company at $158.3 million.

ACOB

Podcasts 04 Sep 2026

At Close of Business podcast September 4 2026

Sam Jones and Justin Fris discuss UON's move from remote mine sites to regional public infrastructure.

Matt Prendergast and Mark Keogh. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Technology, Innovation & Science 04 Sep 2026

Powering you on off-grid solutions

UON is taking its power systems from remote mine sites into regional public infrastructure.

Pentanet founder and chief executive Stephen Cornish. Photo: David Henry.

Technology, Innovation & Science 04 Sep 2026

Pentanet focuses on Nvidia, pauses network expansion

Pentanet founder Stephen Cornish has urged investors to stay calm after a one-off impairment pushed the Perth-headquartered telco and cloud gaming provider's statutory net loss after tax up 55 per cent.

Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Regulation 03 Sep 2026

PrivateInvest trust chased for $17.2m over Burswood apartment

PrivateInvest Capital Securities Limited and director Mark Roberts are being chased for $17.2 million by Finito Nominees Pty Ltd over the development of an apartment complex in Burswood.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 03 Sep 2026

At Close of Business podcast September 3 2026

Ella Loneragan and Claire Tyrrell discuss industry's calls for more expertise philanthropy.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Beazley. Photo: AAP Image/Aaron Bunch.

Defence Economy 03 Sep 2026

'Big bear' China can't be ignored: Beazley to Aukus inquiry

Former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley has delivered an unapologetic defence of the Aukus pact before an independent inquiry, arguing that acquiring nuclear-powered submarines was vital to Australia's sovereignty.

Nexxis founder Jason De Silveira. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 02 Sep 2026

Nexxis acquire UK wind turbine robotics firm

Perth robotics company Nexxis Group has acquired BladeBUG, a UK-based robotics company developing solutions for wind turbine inspection and maintenance.

SeaStock founder Tom Puddy. Photo: Supplied.

Agribusiness 02 Sep 2026

SeaStock partners with Marubeni Innovexis for Japan rollout

SeaStock will bring its innovative methane-reducing feedstock to Japan after inking an agreement with Tokyo-based Marubeni Innovexis to develop commercial opportunities in the land of the rising sun.

HMAS Perth sails as part of a VIP capability display during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Photo: LACW Annika Smit.

Defence Economy 02 Sep 2026

Babcock, Saab ink $117m WA frigate contract

Babcock Australia will take the reins, in partnership with Saab, managing the life cycle of the nation's ageing Anzac-class frigates at the Henderson maritime precinct under a new 5-year, $117.5 million deal.

Telstra.

Technology, Innovation & Science 02 Sep 2026

Report slams Telstra's staff levels, neglected network

Telstra was flying blind during July's nationwide network blackout after two engineers who carried out the overnight work were placed on mandatory stand-down just as the catastrophic fallout began.

Former Infrastructure WA chair Nicole Lockwood speaking during a panel discussion. Photo: John Koh.

Infrastructure 01 Sep 2026

WA risking $500b infrastructure pipeline: Lockwood

WA risks squandering an economic boom unless industry and government dismantle internal bureaucracy, end adversarial habits and forge deeper delivery partnerships, former Infrastructure WA chair Nicole Lockwood has warned.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 31 Aug 2026

At Close of Business Podcast August 31 2026

Sam Jones and Gary Adshead discuss the task ahead for Small Business Development Corporation commissioner Saj Abdoolakhan.

Orthocell managing director Paul Anderson.

Technology, Innovation & Science 31 Aug 2026

Orthocell confident of US expansion after record results

Perth-based regenerative medicine company Orthocell will ramp up its US expansion after delivering a 45 per cent revenue increase for the year, giving it a $44 million war chest with zero debt or royalties.

Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence Economy 31 Aug 2026

Defence pipeline drives Austal shift on $1.8b bid

A multi-billion-dollar local defence pipeline has driven a "paradigm shift" in how Austal views selling its US arm, as South Korean defence giant Hanwha conducts due diligence for the $1.8 billion bid.

Footage of the arrest. Credit: Australian Federal Police.

Technology, Innovation & Science 27 Aug 2026

Perth men charged over alleged cybercrime

Two Perth men have been charged over their alleged involvement with a cybercriminal group linked to breaches of over 1000 organisations, including the European Commission.

Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence Economy 27 Aug 2026

Austal to add 500 WA roles in defence drive

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has launched a campaign to hire 500 new workers over the next twelve months, as work ramps up on the firm's landing craft shipbuilding programs.

Bhagwan Marine. Photo: Supplied.

Defence Economy 27 Aug 2026

Resources, Aukus spur strong results for marine firms

Mining maintenance, offshore subsea work, and a surge in defence contracts have powered full-year results for three of WA's key industrial and marine specialists.

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