News Articles for Ben Wyatt

State launches EOI for partial Landgate sale

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The state government has hit a key milestone in the partial privatisation of Landgate, seeking a private sector operator to undertake automated land titling transactions.

Thumping surplus for Wyatt but economic numbers sour

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The state's financial outlook has improved since the May budget by about $3 billion across the next four years, with iron ore royalties and federal grants doing the heavy lifting, but the domestic economy will again shrink this year.

Economic glass starting to look less than half empty

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Domestic and international events are on a collision course, with 2019 to pose a plethora of challenges for business leaders.

McGowan hits targets, Cormann prominent

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SPECIAL REPORT: Mathias Cormann has been deeply entwined in the federal government's fortunes this year, while a win on GST distribution has boosted standing for Mark McGowan and Ben Wyatt.

Curbing wild election promises

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Opinion: With the government seemingly on track to delivery a budget surplus, one key aspect of the Langoulant review is worth another look.

McGowan reshuffles cabinet

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Premier Mark McGowan has reallocated six portfolios within his cabinet, including the energy portfolio being transferred from Treasurer Ben Wyatt to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston.

Blockchain innovators kicking goals

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A collaboration led by Curtin University and including local blockchain business Power Ledger has started its latest peer-to-peer trading trial in Fremantle, funded by the federal government's Smart Cities Initiative, while DigitalX has launched a new incubator for blockchain technology in Kings Park.

Landgate sale a boon for advisers

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PwC has joined KPMG, BIS Oxford Economics and Investec in winning advisory work on the partial privatisation of Landgate – with each adviser securing increasingly large contracts.

WA to pay down debt with GST windfall

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The state government has confirmed it will use an estimated $1.7 billion GST windfall to pay down its debts, after the legislation cleared federal parliament today.

Ratings agency lifts WA finances outlook

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A ratings agency has upgraded its outlook for Western Australia's finances, based on higher Commonwealth grants, expected revenue growth and tight spending control.

TAB sale odds on in tough market

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Opinion: The long-awaited sale of the government's betting agency could still come at a big cost to taxpayers.

WA battery storage trial launched

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A new battery storage trial launched by utilities Synergy and Western Power in Mandurah will allow households to store residual energy from their solar panels and use it during peak periods.

GST changes to ensure no state worse off

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The prospects of a GST overhaul have been given a boost today, after the federal government said the proposed legislation would include safeguards to ensure every jurisdiction will be in a better financial position over a set period.

Property buyers levy coming in 2019

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The McGowan government will introduce its levy on foreign buyers of residential property after the WA Greens and One Nation parties supported the plan.

Govt to sell TAB, tax WA betting

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The state government has announced it will proceed with the sale of gaming agency TAB and introduce a new 15 per cent consumption tax on all betting in Western Australia.

AAA retention a challenge for Labor

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Opinion: Having made solid progress in reducing its budget deficit, the pressure is on the state government to introduce structural economic reform.

State announces five-year NFP contracts

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The state government has today announced an updated community services policy, providing five-year contracts with the aim to give not-for-profit organisations greater funding security.

States pushing back against GST changes

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Federal Labor is hoping influential Senate crossbenchers deliver crucial support for a push to guarantee no state or territory will be worse off under new GST revenue carve-up arrangements.

Budget boost as economy grows, feds give cash

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Grants from the federal government and delayed dividend payments from state-owned enterprises have helped the state government report an operating deficit 73 per cent below forecast in the 2018 financial year, while the non-trade economy has grown after a sustained period of shrinking.

Softer notes on power competition

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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.

Investec picked for Landgate privatisation

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The state government has chosen Investec to advise on the partial privatisation of Landgate, a day after the agency's Victorian equivalent sold for $2.9 billion.

Nahan in the hot seat

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Opinion: Despite taking on the unenviable job of opposition leader after a huge election defeat, Mike Nahan is still making his voice heard.

Work starts on $55m SwanCare project

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Adco Constructions has broken ground on SwanCare's $55 million retirement living and aged care project at Bentley Park, which will include a new residential care facility as well as a leisure precinct.

Nahan commits to electricity competition

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State opposition leader Mike Nahan has locked in part of his party's energy policy early in the election cycle, pledging on the weekend to allow competition in retail power markets if his party wins the 2021 election.

By-election strategy riles Libs

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The Liberals' decision not to contest two recent by-elections was a defensive move that puts the party on the back foot in those seats ahead of the next federal poll.

Cant appointed new Finance boss

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Landgate chief executive Jodi Cant has been appointed as the new director general of the Department of Finance, but the state government is still looking for a permanent boss for the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

Nahan in US tax dispute

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Updated: State opposition leader Mike Nahan has revealed that his attempts to renounce his US citizenship in 2008 failed due to an ongoing tax dispute with the US government.

Report adds pressure to Synergy split

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It may have gone largely unnoticed in Western Australia, but a recent report into the east coast's electricity market could have major implications for the state, including for government-owned monopoly power business Synergy.

WA unemployment falls to 6.1%

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After reaching a 16-year high in March, Western Australia's unemployment rate has enjoyed its third straight month of decline, with nearly 3,000 jobs added across the state in June.

GST spending pressure

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Opinion: The McGowan government would be advised to avoid the irresponsible spending blowout of their predecessors, however tough the political sell.

WA accepts $3.3bn GST compromise

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The planned overhaul of the GST distribution system may not be perfect, but it's a pragmatic and creative response all states and territories should be able to accept, Western Australian Treasurer Ben Wyatt said today.

Treasury highlights risk of failure to sell TAB

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The state government is aiming to decide the future of the TAB by the end of this year, following today's release of a Treasury paper warning that failure to sell the state's betting agency could create a major risk for the longevity of the local racing industry.

$640m+ likely from partial Landgate privatisation

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The state government will partially privatise title registry agency Landgate in a move expected to raise at least $640 million, with the money to be used to fund the state's share of the National Redress Scheme for child abuse victims.

Unions, academics at odds on power reform

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Securing union support for his bid to introduce competition into the local electricity retailing market will be a major test of Ben Wyatt's political and negotiating skills.

By-election a reality check

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The state government is hoping it has done enough to sway the vote its way in this month's Darling Range by-election.

Spending restraint, jobs growth support budget

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The state's net debt will peak at a level $2 billion lower than previously forecast, at $40.9 billion, with Treasurer Ben Wyatt forecasting an operating surplus in the 2021 financial year.

Landgate, TAB sales still in the offing

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Treasurer Ben Wyatt said today the government was still working on the proposed sale of land registry service Landgate and gaming agency TAB.

Getting the budget balance right

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Opinion: The WA and federal governments have plenty at stake when they release their respective budgets.

Two additions to Horizon Power board

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The state government has appointed Stephen Edwell chair of Horizon Power, and added Kylie Chamberlain to the utility's board.

'Monster' power reforms to boost growth: Wyatt

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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.