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.

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sam.jones@businessnews.com.au

The Halcyon in Subiaco. Photo: Celtic Capital Properties.

Property 16 Apr 2026

Celtic sues for $4m over Subi apartment

The property developer behind the 82-apartment Halcyon development in Subiaco is pursuing the construction company tasked with building it for $3.8 million in allegedly unpaid loans, among other issues.

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

Defence 16 Apr 2026

Innovaero, NIOA ink warhead development deal

Perth-based drone manufacturer Innovaero will collaborate with Australian munitions company NIOA to develop a range of modular warheads and launch systems for loitering munitions.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles addresses the National Press Club in Canberra, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Defence 16 Apr 2026

Marles mute on $5b cuts, method in Defence plan

While promising a $53b uptick in defence capabilities, Richard Marles has dodged details on the $5b in savings needed to fund it—and whether a shift in accounting rules is being used to mask the true cost.

Duratec managing director Chris Oates. Photo: Jack McGinn.

Defence 15 Apr 2026

Duratec Ertech wins $281m HMAS Stirling works

A joint venture comprising two of WA's most prominent engineering firms have been awarded a $281 million contract for wharf upgrades at HMAS Stirling to prepare for future submarine rotations.

Orthocell managing director Paul Anderson. Photo: Attila Csaszar

Health 15 Apr 2026

Orthocell boosts US Defence presence

The Perth developer of a collagen nerve repair surgical wrap has inked a deal for access to over 200 US Department of Defence medical sites after validating its effectiveness on the battlefield of Ukraine.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 14 Apr 2026

At Close of Business podcast April 14 2026

Sam Jones and Tom Zaunmayr discuss the recent North West edition of Business News magazine.

Former Automotive Holdings Group chief executive Bronte Howson, who is also the company's non-executive chair, controls the largest stake of PARKD at around 16 per cent.

Property 14 Apr 2026

Parkd Azzurri deal paves data centre road

An innovative Perth carpark developer says the recent buy-in of a leading east coast concreter will pave the way for the company to gain a foothold in the booming data centre construction market.

Synergy chief executive Kurt Baker. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence 10 Apr 2026

Synergy investigating claims of data breach

State-owned energy provider Synergy has launched an investigation into claims of a massive data breach allegedly involving over 900,000 sensitive document, including the personal records of customers.

Mark My Words.

Podcasts 10 Apr 2026

Mark My Words April 10 2026

Mark Pownall, Sam Jones and Gary Adshead discuss the news of the week, including fuel movements; BHP industrial action; El Caballo Blanco's future; ECU's $72m purchase and more.

Rain Plaado, founder of SnailCam holding the device that goes onto farm machinery to track pest movements. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 10 Apr 2026

Founders Factory name WA Nature Tech Accelerator cohort

An AI-powered camera system which maps snail populations for pest control is among a record-setting number of WA startups chosen to participate in Founders Factory's Nature Tech Accelerator.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 09 Apr 2026

At Close of Business podcast April 9 2026

Tom Zaunmayr and Sam Jones discuss the 50 most powerful people in the state's North West.

Housing in Wanneroo. Photo: Tom Zaunmayr.

Property 09 Apr 2026

WA home completions hit two-year low

New home completions in WA have slipped to their lowest level in almost two years, magnifying calls for the state to pause major infrastructure projects and focus on boosting housing supply.

InFocus Group Holdings today revealed the launch of its self-proclaimed next-generation sweepstakes platform, Codexa.

Technology, Innovation & Science 08 Apr 2026

Poynton-backed software developer launches VGW rival

A Northbridge software firm, backed by John Poynton and previously known for developing a grocery price comparison tool, will attempt to take on the likes of VGW with a new gaming offering.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 07 Apr 2026

At Close of Business podcast April 7 2026

Justin Fris and Mark Pownall discuss the severe driver shortage facing WAs trucking sector.

Main pic: Photo: Unsplashed / Philipp Katzenberger. Inset: Shine Aviation aircraft. Photo: Shine Aviation.

Technology, Innovation & Science 07 Apr 2026

Geraldton airline the latest ransomware victim

A Geraldton-based airline has become the latest WA company to allegedly fall victim to the Anubis ransomware group, with the cyber criminals claiming to have exfiltrated 56 gigabytes of sensitive data.

Thunderbird. Photo: Sheffield Resources.

Mining 07 Apr 2026

Sheffield’s Thunderbird mine facing 'uncertain' future

The future of the Thunderbird Mineral Sands mine hangs in the balance as Sheffield Resources enters urgent negotiations to resculpt its debt load following a string of production woes.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 02 Apr 2026

At Close of Business podcast April 2 2026

Claire Tyrrell and Nadia Budihardjo discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the planning industry.

Duratec managing director Chris Oates. Photo: Jack McGinn.

Manufacturing 02 Apr 2026

Duratec adds Pacific Welding Australia for $12m

Duratec will acquire NSW-based Pacific Welding Australia for up to $12 million in a move which gives it access to Orica's Kooragang Island ammonia and nitric acid facility.

Education 01 Apr 2026

Curtin among Anthropic deal winners

Anthropic has inked an MoU with the Australian government to expand collaboration on AI, including through partnerships with research institutions and potential data centre investment.

Photo: Unsplashed / Philipp Katzenberger.

Defence 31 Mar 2026

Injunction granted for stolen Paterson & Dowding data

A boutique Perth family law firm has been granted an injunction over data stolen during a recent cyber attack, preventing it from being accessed and shared by Australian outlets or companies.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 31 Mar 2026

At Close of Business podcast March 31 2026

Isabel Vieira and Mark Pownall discuss a restructure with WA's biggest wine maker Fogarty Wine Group.

Taco Bell. Photo: Unsplashed / Andrew Valdivia.

Food & Drink 31 Mar 2026

WA Taco Bell stores thrown lifeline

Taco Bell stores in WA have been thrown a lifeline after Collins Food entered an agreement for 20 of the 27 franchise stores around the nation to continue operating under a new company.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 26 Mar 2026

At Close of Business podcast March 26 2026

Ella Loneragan and Claire Tyrrell discuss what property developers are doing to make their properties greener.

Cattle. Photo: Tom Zaunmayr.

Agribusiness 26 Mar 2026

Twiggy-backed Rumin8 gets NZ backing

A Perth startup backed by Andrew Forrest and Bill Gates, which is developing a cattle feed additive which reduces methane emissions, has added a New Zealand investor to its books as it expands to the shaky isles.

Jim Chalmers said the new legislation would help tackle price gouging at its source. Photos: Sam Jones and Tom Zaunmayr.

Oil & Gas 26 Mar 2026

New fuel laws bring $100m penalty

Fuel stations and suppliers which unfairly raise prices will be hit with fines of up to $100 million under new laws which passed parliament today.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (left) and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (right) Photo: AAP Photos / Lukas Coch.

Defence 26 Mar 2026

Australia to host German troops, cooperate on space defence

Germany and Australia will look to increase military cooperation, including hosting each other's personnel, as part of an effort for both countries to reduce reliance on the United States.

Bhagwan Marine.

Oil & Gas 26 Mar 2026

Bhagwan wins Barrow Island contract

Bhagwan Marine will build on the success of its first-ever decommissioning project, with the award of a contract for works to remove moorings and buoys at Barrow Island.

US Navy Chief of Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle (middle) hears from members of the ADF. photo: Supplied.

Defence 25 Mar 2026

US Navy chief 'confident' of subs by 2030

US Navy Chief of Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle says the US will hit its two-submarines-per-year by 2030 target, paving the way for Australia to receive several Virginia-class submarines of its own.

Seafarms Group is again being pursued by shareholders. Photo: Supplied.

Agribusiness 25 Mar 2026

Seafarms shareholders lodge fresh legal action

Kathmandu co-founder Jan Cameron has lodged fresh legal action against Seafarms Group in the latest bid to recoup some of the millions she invested in the Project Sea Dragon prawn farm.

Greenroom cofounders Harry Hubbert (left), Zac Pullen and James Keane.

Technology, Innovation & Science 25 Mar 2026

Greenroom inks global ocean mapping deal

A project to map the entire ocean floor by 2030, which is supported by Japan's largest charitable organisation, has inked a deal with a Perth maritime autonomy software developer.

Government 25 Mar 2026

Perth inflation highest in nation

Australia's headline inflation rate fell in the final data before the Iran war up-ended the global economy, but Perth's inflation figure was significantly up compared to other capital cities.

ACOB

Podcasts 24 Mar 2026

At Close of Business podcast March 24 2026

Sam Jones and Nadia Budihardjo discuss shadow AI and how it has impacted professional services firms in WA.

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