Opinion

It's not often that a political announcement genuinely catches everyone by surprise, but Geoff Gallop's decision this week to step down as premier and retire from politics certainly falls into that category.

Last week, State Scene canvassed some of the underlying reasons for the collapse in Liberal leader Matt Birney's standing among party colleagues during the closing months of 2005, which may well result in the emergence of pressure for his replacement duri

The ranks of those Liberal MPs who are wondering if their leader, Matt Birney, will still be in his position on April 17, his wedding day, swelled markedly just before Christmas, when the Parliamentary Privileges Committee adjudicated on his secret insert

With Western Australia entering what promises to be another year of strong economic expansion, the major challenge facing the state continues to be managing its rapid growth.

WILL 2005 be forever etched in our memories?

State Scene wishes to conclude this year's assessment of the local political scene with some observations about the featherbedding and political funding of political parties.

It might feel like a long way away but the events at Cronulla Beach in Sydney at the weekend are something we should all be wary of.

Last week's in-camera parliamentary privileges committee hearings on Liberal leader Matt Birney's financial interests statements raised a host of questions that will hopefully be addressed before Christmas.

‘Unintended consequences' is one of those marvellous expressions which, when translated, simply means we have no idea what will happen after we change the rules.

State Scene expects to be voting, soon after New Year, in a by-election for the seat of Yokine, currently held by one-time Labor minister Bob Kucera.

Buying local is a good thing when shopping for fruit and vegetables, but not necessarily a wise investment policy.

Was Peter Costello serious when he suggested reportedly he had no responsibility to investigate the background of Reserve Bank of Australia board candidate, Robert Gerard?

In the future, probably closer to the year 2020 than today, there might be an iron ore mine on the Shovelanna tenement co-worked by a small company called Cazaly Resources.

Over the years I have heard many stories of inequity when it comes to the handling of disputed mining claims.

Last week, State Scene surveyed the opening moves by key Liberal Party financial boffins to ensure their party will soon tap into what's called state public funding of parties.

I had an interesting experience the other day when I found myself in a room of people who were bitterly opposed to John Howard's proposed industrial relations changes.

That dreaded M-word has reappeared within Liberal Party ranks.

Some Perth investors with an eye on BHP Billiton will be hoping for an insight into the company when they toddle along to its annual meeting in Perth tomorrow (Friday November 25)

President George W Bush's decision to militarily engage America's sworn Middle Eastern enemies at the head of a ‘coalition of the willing' has resulted in numerous unexpected outcomes, not all of which are welcomed by his dogmatic critics.

It's a shame that Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay are not writing any more of their Yes Minister books.

I had a discussion one evening earlier this week about the philanthropy in the US.

To list, or not to list? That is the question facing Australian resource company executives as they contemplate doing business in the capital of mining finance, London.

SINCE the day I joined WA Business News I have been asked constantly, ‘when are you going daily'? The reply to that has been consistent. We are never going to do that, at least not as a newspaper.

State Scene realises the most common school debating topic after whether capital punishment should be re-introduced is whether compulsory voting should be abolished.

Peak Oil is a hot topic in the petroleum business, and one that worries government because of the pain being felt at the bowser by voters.

The Gallop government's move to streamline the approvals process for resources developments is a welcome, albeit belated response to a critical issue in this state – making sure we maximise benefit from the boom we are experiencing.

A view has begun to emerge around State Parliament and the major political parties that the Gallop government is approaching a fork in the road.

The recently released 480-plus-page report on Joondalup Council is a quizzical document.

TAKING the moral high ground can be a very expensive business, as the innocent small shareholders of Consolidated Minerals are discovering.

I had the pleasure of chairing a panel session for our recent Success & Leadership event, The Modern Entrepreneur in WA. The event kicked off the 2006 WA Business News 40under40 Awards by bringing together four previous winners from the program to discuss

What's wrong with this equation?