The state government appears to be continuing to back away from plans to introduce increased competition in electricity retailing, with Economics and Industry Committee chair Jessica Shaw saying she'd like to see more evidence it would reduce prices.
The state government is negotiating with the Liberal and National parties to facilitate the upper house passing its proposed strata reform legislation.
Western Australians overwhelmingly believe the big end of town has been the major beneficiary of the country's unprecedented run of growth over the past 26 years, a poll released today has found.
High company taxes are one of the biggest impediments to Australia's economic success, according to the latest global competitiveness index by Swiss business school IMD, although improving infrastructure and government efficiency have helped boost the country's overall rating.
Australian businesses can be confident that strong personal relationships with their partners in China can help overcome any short-term problems between the governments of the two countries, according to two local business executives with close ties to the Asian powerhouse.
The costliest and most wasteful parts of the healthcare system are often the most frustrating for customers, according to Sustainable Healthcare Review chair Robyn Kruk, so they should be the top targets for future reform.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt's ambition for increased private participation in the electricity sector remains, despite a slow start, touting it as part of a microeconomic reform program designed to lift productivity.
Former banker and company director Warwick Kent, who led the revival of Bankwest after big losses in the early 1990s and through its subsequent privatisation, passed away this week at his home in NSW.
A further reshuffling of state government departments appears likely after Treasurer Ben Wyatt released the government's service priority review today.
New ports, better planning and increased use of technology are in the sights of transport industry leaders preparing the state's freight network for coming decades, according to a panel of experts at a recent Committee for Economic Development of Australia lunch.
The state government has appointed Infrastructure Australia board member Nicole Lockwood to chair a new taskforce to plan a Kwinana outer harbour development, as Transport Minister Rita Saffioti indicated she would stare down internal party dissent about the project.
The state government will be seeking to pile pressure on the Commonwealth to secure more defence industry spending in the west, according to Minister for Defence Issues Paul Papalia, as he hit out at his federal counterpart over a perceived lack of naval shipbuilding cash flowing to local players.
Chevron managing director of Australasia Nigel Hearne has confirmed a fourth LNG train at the Gorgon project won't be happening in the near term, while calling on governments not to buckle to calls for higher taxes and increased regulation that will reduce competitiveness of the industry.
Shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt said he had no intention of raising taxes after the state election, while leaving wriggle room to do so, and declined to provide further details about how Labor's value capture proposal to partially pay for the Metronet rail package might affect residents living in proximity to stations.
A series of new rail and road tunnels, including a CBD train loop and a line from Stirling to Murdoch could be needed as Perth's population grows to 3.5 million, according to Transport Minister Dean Nalder, as he unveiled the state government's long term transport blueprint this morning.
SPECIAL REPORT: Growing infrastructure needs and a diminishing capacity to fund them is a major challenge for WA, according to key players who attended a recent Business News forum.
Baptistcare manager, marketing, PR and communications Paula Rogers has been appointed the new Committee for Economic Development of Australia state director.
Reduced industry assistance, an efficiency dividend from higher education, and a big reduction in the public sector headcount are among the recommendations in a report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia released today.
Former senior federal cabinet minister Stephen Smith has identified Western Australia's economic future as a major factor in his audacious bid to wrest leadership of the WA Labor Party from the incumbent, Mark McGowan.
WA's yawning gender pay gap can in part be contributed to young women forgoing maths in years 11 and 12, according to Programmed managing director Chris Sutherland, who today called for societal change to address the problem.
Any trade union-backed court challenge to the state government's updated wage policy would result in job losses in the public sector, Treasurer Mike Nahan warned today, as above inflation pay rises would need to be offset through lower staff numbers.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is understood to be investigating Synergy following predatory pricing complaints from several players in the state's electricity market.
Synergy chairman Lyndon Rowe has mapped out a detailed agenda for energy market reform, saying there would be catastrophic consequences if the government did not tackle market players with vested interests.
Perth is projected to have seven of the nation's top 10 most-congested roads by 2031, and despite public displeasure, toll roads could be part of the solution.
SPECIAL REPORT: The Committee for Perth has suggested an alternative route might be the best way forward for Perth's promised light rail network; part of our ten page feature on infrastructure.
An international planning expert says he believes Perth is the least dense major city in the world, an issue looming as a major constraint to the financial feasibility of developing
Company director John Langoulant has added another title to his broad portfolio, taking on the role of state president WA for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.
Company director John Langoulant has added another title to his broad portfolio, taking on the role of state president WA for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.
The inclusion of gambling revenue in Commonwealth Grants Commission funding is one of a number of suggestions to reform Australia's federation, following the release of a recent federalism paper by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief officer of business solutions Lindsay O'Sullivan has been appointed trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.
