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

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 1 day ago

At Close of Business podcast August 7 2026

Jack McGinn and Nadia Budihardjo discuss gold miner Regis Resources' plans after a thwarted merger with Vault.

Representatives from Materia Health, Wevolt and Capability X with Innovation and Science Minister Stephen Dawson. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Technology, Innovation & Science 1 day ago

Finalists for Innovator of the Year revealed

The state's premier innovation showcase has named 23 local companies as finalists for the 2026 WA Innovator of the Year awards, marking two decades since the program's inception.

Woodside. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Oil & Gas 1 day ago

Woodside to divest Calypso stake

Woodside Energy has taken yet another step toward simplifying its portfolio, agreeing to sell its stake in the early-stage deepwater Calypso natural gas project to BP.

Mike von Bertouch with the fuselage of a One-Way Loitering munition developed by Innovaero.

Defence 1 day ago

Perth drone firm Innovaero eye $158m IPO

Perth drone company Innovaero is accelerating plans for its IPO, with brokers pricing the raise at $40 million at five cents per share, giving the business an expected market capitalisation of $158 million.

Port of Broome. Photo: Tom Zaunmayr.

Government 2 days ago

More state govt operators to strike

The Maritime Union of Australia will escalate industrial action at the Port of Broome, shutting down the site for up to two weeks after enterprise bargaining talks with the Kimberley Port Authority broke down.

Qantas. Photo: Jordan Murray.

Transport & Logistics 2 days ago

Qantas ground staff to vote on strike

Qantas ground staff could soon walk off the job, potentially leaving hundreds of FIFO flights stranded, amid a bitter dispute between the airline and the Transport Workers Union over pay and conditions.

ACCC.

Technology, Innovation & Science 05 Aug 2026

ACCC launches Regional Mobile Inquiry

WA farmers and remote communities could soon see a boost to mobile connectivity after the competition watchdog decided to launch an inquiry into regional mobile coverage.

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

Mining 04 Aug 2026

Unions confirm BHP strike will go ahead

Three unions involved in ongoing negotiations with BHP over conditions at its Port Hedland operations have confirmed 48 hours of planned strike action will go ahead, despite a "productive" meeting with Fair Work and BHP today.

Photo: Attila Csaszar.

Transport & Logistics 04 Aug 2026

Swan Taxis complete U-turn with $2m profit

The state's largest taxi operator, Swan Taxis, has completed a multi-year financial turnaround, bouncing back from heavily multi-million-dollar losses to record a $2 million profit for the year.

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

Health 31 Jul 2026

Partnered Health hackers release alleged data

Partnered Health, the GP network at the centre of a cyber breach which allegedly exposed thousands of Australians' health records, says it's aware of claims being made online that some stolen data had been published.

CME chief executive Aaron Morey. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Mining 31 Jul 2026

New strikes will cost state millions: CME

Further planned strikes by workers at BHP's Port Hedland operations could strip up to $15 million from state royalties, the CME has warned, as tensions escalate between the unions and the miner.

Podcasts 31 Jul 2026

Mark My Words July 31 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Business News reporters to discuss oil refining, desalination, Northern Star, strike actions, data centres, Golden Sedayu, and the latest in Greg Poland's defamation action.

ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Mining 31 Jul 2026

Unions ramp up BHP action

Workers at BHP's Port Hedland operation have voted for two more 24-hour stoppages in the latest escalation of industrial action plaguing the big Australian.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 30 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 30 2026

Justin Fris and Mark Beyer discuss the fact only a handful of the 100 projects submitted through the state's market-led proposal pathway have succeeded.

Technology, Innovation & Science 30 Jul 2026

HWL Ebsworth, UWA sued over data breach

A University of WA student and employee who had his information stolen and posted on the dark web after HWL Ebsworth became a victim of a ransomware incident is suing the firm and the university.

DUG Technology managing director Matt Lamont. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 28 Jul 2026

DUG backflips on Geraldton data centre claim

Perth high-powered computing provider DUG Technology has moved to correct its earlier statement that its Geraldton data centre had been cancelled, instead insisting it is only heavily delayed.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 28 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 28 2026

Jack McGinn and Sam Jones discuss calls by a WA skilled migration expert.

Michaelia Cash. Photo: John Koh.

Government 28 Jul 2026

'Socialist Labor and centre-right One Nation': Cash

Michaelia Cash has defended her party's choice to preference One Nation, framing Pauline Hanson's party as a "centre-right" ally, while accusing the Albanese government of pushing a "socialist agenda" on Australia.

Photo: Kevin Horvat/Unsplashed.

Mining 27 Jul 2026

Russian group claims West African ransomware attack

A Russian hacking group has claimed to have gained access and installed ransomware on Subiaco-based ASX-listed gold miner West African Resources' systems.

Photo: Courtesy of Pilbara Ports.

Contracts 27 Jul 2026

Pilbara Ports award $37m road contract

A wholly owned Monadelphous subsidiary has been awarded a $37 million contract to deliver upgrades to the Utah Ring Road in the Port of Port Hedland.

Qantas. Photo: Jordan Murray.

Technology, Innovation & Science 27 Jul 2026

Qantas findings not good enough

Revelations there would not be a full investigation into the recent Qantas data breach should raise concerns.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 24 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 24 2026

Tom Zaunmayr and Sam Jones discuss a Pilbara council's use of a futurist and AI to develop its future plan.

DUG Technology managing director Matt Lamont. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 24 Jul 2026

DUG pulls plug on Geraldton data centre

Perth-headquartered data and seismic giant DUG Technology has quietly abandoned its ambitious plans to build a carbon-free supercomputing campus in Geraldton.

ASIC

Financial Services 24 Jul 2026

NextGen directors banned by ASIC

The financial watchdog has banned two Perth advisors for three years after losing a Federal court case regarding an unpaid Australian Financial Complaints Authority determination.

Photo: Attila Csaszar

Government 23 Jul 2026

'Growing beyond its limit': Jobs figures spur rates fears

Economists say a surprise drop in next week's inflation data would be the only thing to stop a looming interest rate hike, after fresh jobs data showed the RBA's efforts to soften the economy have fallen short.

ACOB

Podcasts 22 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 22 2026

Sam Jones speaks with Isabel Vieira about Business News' recent resources feature.

Photo: Kevin Horvat

Technology, Innovation & Science 22 Jul 2026

Origin Energy investigating cyber incident

Power giant Origin Energy says it is investigating a security breach that may involve unauthorised access to customers' data.

Luca Giacovazzi (left), Cheryl Edwardes and David Southam joined a panel discussion moderated by Business News senior editor Mark Beyer. Photo: John Koh.

Mining 22 Jul 2026

Tax shifts, port issues squeeze local mining

A tax overhaul and strikes in Port Hedland are combining to test the resilience of the state's resource sector.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 21 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 21 2026

Ella Loneragan and Claire Tyrrell discuss the revamp of multiple heritage properties in Fremantle.

Linda Reynolds at the recent Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference. Photo: Michael O’Brien

Defence 21 Jul 2026

Reynolds has questions for Aukus inquiry

Australia is already engaged in a conflict with China, former defence minister Linda Reynolds told the Aukus Public Inquiry in Fremantle recently.

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

Mining 17 Jul 2026

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 17 Jul 2026

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.

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