Sam Jones

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 10 hours ago

At Close of Business podcast October 8 2026

Mark Beyer and Justin Fris discuss why WorkSafe fines are increasingly going unpaid.

Andrew Hastie speaking at Land Forces 2026. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence Economy 11 hours ago

Hastie calls for North West defence funding surge

Shadow industry minister Andrew Hastie has accused the Albanese government of leaving WA's North West exposed, demanding a major funding uplift to build surge infrastructure and protect the region's resource wealth.

Carlos Fortuna, Navin Vij, Michael Edwards and Hugh Jones. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Infrastructure 13 hours ago

Parabellum, Gascoyne Gateway ink collaboration

Proponents behind a major marine development in Exmouth have inked a contract with emergency management specialists Parabellum International to develop marine and emergency response capabilities at

Defence Economy 1 day ago

Frontrunners for Western Defence Forge revealed

The state government has identified five preferred anchor tenants for its Western Defence Forge advanced manufacturing hub.

Cables being laid by Telstra across Australia. Photo: Telstra.

Technology, Innovation & Science 1 day ago

Telstra switches on Perth Aura network

Telstra Digital Infrastrucutre has reached a pivotal milestone in its multi-billion-dollar national backbone rollout, officially lighting up the transcontinental Perth-to-Sydney route of its Aura Network.

Women in Defence founder Rachel Falzone (left) chairs a panel discussion with ANU's Jennifer Parker, WA Defence Industries head Linda Dawson and Ventia defence general manager Pauline Fitzgerald. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence Economy 2 days ago

WA's North West nation's 'most vulnerable' flank

WA's North West has been branded the nation's most exposed strategic frontier, with defence strategists and state officials warning the vast, resource-rich region lacks the critical infrastructure and baseline readiness needed to withstand or support a major conflict.

Defence Economy 05 Oct 2026

Orbital inks second Indian drone propulsion deal

Balcatta-based drone propulsion manufacturer Orbital Corporation Limited has inked a contract to supply systems to one of India's largest defence companies, marking its second customer in the country.

Main pic: University of Western Australia. Photo: Attila Csaszar. Inset: Quantinuum's Helios system. Photo: Supplied.

Education 05 Oct 2026

Quantinuum signs university partnership

WA enterprises across mining, energy, and agriculture could soon tap into next-generation computational muscle following an agreement between the University of Western Australia and quantum computing leader Quantinuum.

Aurora Labs is eying off more growth in the defence sector. Photo: Aurora Labs Limited.

Defence Economy 05 Oct 2026

Reshuffle at Aurora Labs to bolster defence presence

Andrew Garth will replace Rebekah Letherby at the helm of Perth 3D-printed propulsion system developer Aurora Labs Limited, as the company progresses its joint venture with Airbus and BAE Systems.

An aerial shot of the Djardinjin community on the Kimberley's Dampier Peninsula. Photo: Djardinjin.

Indigenous 02 Oct 2026

Remote communities to benefit from $37m water plant

The Kimberley's Dampier Peninsula is set to benefit from a $37 million state government funding injection to shore up drinking water supplies for remote communities.

Government 02 Oct 2026

WA makes final appeal to save GST deal

The state government has issued a stern final appeal to the Productivity Commission to protect WA's landmark 2018 GST agreement, cautioning that proposed changes could strip up to $6 billion from the state's economy each year.

Participating ships from Australia and partner nations at anchor in Jervis Bay during Exercise KAKADU 2026. Photo: Defence Images / LSIS Susan Mossop.

Exclusive 02 Oct 2026

Defence slashes $8m from PFAS program with WA contractor

Defence has reduced an $8.58 million contract with Indigenous-owned engineering firm DDR Australia by nearly 95 per cent, shelving plans for a permanent water treatment plant designed to remove tox

Podcasts 01 Oct 2026

At Close of Business podcast October 1 2026

Claire Tyrrell and Sam Jones discuss sustainability in building design in the UK and Europe, and how it could apply to WA.

Main pic: Chironix headquarters. Inset: Chironix chief executive Daniel Milford. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira.

Defence Economy 01 Oct 2026

Chironix inks $13.6m US Navy deal

Perth-based engineering firm Chironix has inked a $13.6 million deal with the US Navy to develop technology that helps autonomous vehicles safely evacuate injured personnel from the battlefield.

ATO acting deputy commissioner Michelle Sams. Photo: Supplied.

Government 01 Oct 2026

Corporate tax players revealed after $8b drop

Australia's mining, energy and water industries continue to pay the lion's share of corporate tax despite low commodity prices contributing to a more than $8 billion drop in total takings for the Australian Tax Office.

Podcasts 29 Sep 2026

At Close of Business podcast September 29 2026

Tom Zaunmayr and Justin Fris discuss a community at the coalface of the wind turbine debate.

Greg Boorer. Inset: Artists' impressions of the CDC Hazelmere campus. Credit: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 23 Sep 2026

CDC plans 192MW Hazelmere data centre

Critical digital infrastructure operator CDC Data Centres has unveiled plans to construct a 192-megawatt data centre in Hazelmere, marking its second planned development in WA.

Advanced Navigation co-founder Chris Shaw. Inset left: The Boreas navigation system. Inset right: Kongsberg's PROTECTOR counter-unmanned aerial platform. Photos: Supplied.

Defence Economy 23 Sep 2026

Advanced Navigation to deploy system in Polish turrets

Perth-founded unicorn Advanced Navigation will have its Boreas inertial navigation systems embedded on Polish anti-drone turrets, in a deal inked with Kongsberg worth $26 million.

Podcasts 22 Sep 2026

At Close of Business podcast September 22 2026

Nadia Budihardjo and Sam Jones discuss Perth drone manufacturer Innovaero's ASX debut.

Paddy Gregg at Austal’s company’s Mobile facility.

Defence Economy 22 Sep 2026

Hanwha offer puts Austal USA in play

ANALYSIS: A US bidding war offers Austal a lucrative, overdue American divorce.

A subsea cable laying ship. Photo: Wolfgang Weiser/Unsplashed.

Technology, Innovation & Science 22 Sep 2026

SUBCO to build largest WA subsea cable

Australian communications infrastructure provider SUBCO has announced it will build a 4,600km subsea cable connecting Perth to Singapore and Indonesia as part of its APX project, which will also deliver two new east coast cables.

Innovaero Chair Vince Di Pietro (left) and Innovaero Founder and Executive Director Mike von Bertouch (right).

Technology, Innovation & Science 22 Sep 2026

Innovaero lists on ASX

Perth-based drone manufacturer Innovaero has debuted on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker INN, following a fully subscribed $40 million initial public offering that values the company at $158.3 million.

Lubdub co-founders Sharath Sriram, Girish Dwivedi and Nikhilesh Bappoo. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Exclusive 22 Sep 2026

Lubdub doubles seed funding target

Perth medtech company Lubdub Technologies, which is developing a holistic 'heart health in a box' technology, has closed an oversubscribed $6 million seed financing round, doubling its initial target.

Retail 21 Sep 2026

ASIC sues former Super Retail Group chief Heraghty

The former boss of Super Retail Group, the parent company of Supercheap Auto, BCF and Rebel Sport, is being sued by ASIC over an undisclosed relationship with a senior executive.

Financial Services 18 Sep 2026

HBF profit slips despite membership record

Australia's second-largest not-for-profit health fund, HBF, has delivered a net profit after tax of $128.2 million for the year, supported by a growing national footprint.

The new UWA campus in India. Photo: Supplied.

Education 18 Sep 2026

UWA Mumbai opens its doors

The University of Western Australia has launched its first international campus, opening in Mumbai in a move Roger Cook hailed as a step for WA-India relations.

Podcasts 17 Sep 2026

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 16 Sep 2026

Subs decision politically radioactive

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

Podcasts 16 Sep 2026

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 16 Sep 2026

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 16 Sep 2026

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 15 Sep 2026

Why we shouldn’t back a hack attack

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

Sam Jones

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