Demand for Western Australian agricultural property assets is expected to run hot throughout 2015, with offshore buyers not expected to be deterred by new rules for foreign investment in farmland.
The international stage has helped this year's local business and political leaders stand out from the pack – including our Person of the Year, Richard Goyder.
Australia's free trade agreement with China is likely to deliver significant benefits to agricultural exporters but the gains will be mainly indirect and apparent over the longer term, a report by Rabobank has concluded.
Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Group has recruited finance executive Aaron Hood to take charge of its expanding commercial investment activities.
The appointment of investment banker Michael Ashforth as manager of the Bennett family's $1.5 billion fortune highlights the maturing of Western Australia's private wealth market.
Property transactions in the agribusiness sector are heating up, with considerable activity in the first six months of 2014, according to Colliers International.
Gina Rinehart has followed fellow iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest's lead and expanded her interests to include cattle farming, reportedly spending $40 million on a half-stake in two cattle stations
Biotech company Admedus has completed an oversubscribed $8 million share placement as it looks to push marketing for its CardioCel regenerative tissue product in Europe and the US.
Andrew Forrest has emerged as a surprise backer of Energy and Minerals Australia, taking a major stake in the Perth-based uranium explorer through a much-needed $12 million investment. EMA has also struck a debt-for-equity swap with its noteholders.
Andrew Forrest's Minderoo Group has emerged as the surprise buyer of the state's largest beef processor, Harvey Beef, quashing speculation that the company would be sold to Chinese interests.
Former Perth lawyer Nick Grono will return to Europe to run a new anti-slavery fund backed by his most recent boss, iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest, and other leading philanthropists.
Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest has further enhanced his credentials as one of the nation's leading philanthropists with a pledge of $65 million to Western Australia's universities.
Andrew Forrest's philanthropic efforts are as restless as the iron ore magnate himself. Recent changes appear to be part of a restructuring of his various private and charitable interests under the new brand of Minderoo.
