News Articles for Bill Johnston

Whatever the findings of Michelle Shepherd's report into summer power outages, due to be delivered today, Western Power will be embarking on a massive capital investment program.

The buyer of South Fremantle Power Station remains undisclosed but Synergy says it was not the business which initially approached the government last year.

The state government will draft a framework for local carbon capture and storage, while it works on its own plans for a 2030 emissions target.

The pace of the WA's Environment Online rollout is too slow, the state opposition said today, while the federal government has announced $47 million for a national digital approvals platform.

Synergy has selected a buyer for the old South Fremantle Power Station, but won't reveal who.

An independent six-week review has been launched into power outages that left approximately 34,000 households without power over Christmas last year.

ANALYSIS: Aboriginal leader Kado Muir has publicly asked a question many people are asking privately: why did premier Mark McGowan make so many changes in Friday's ministerial reshuffle?

Premier Mark McGowan has announced a major cabinet reshuffle this morning, with Amber-Jade Sanderson set to replace Roger Cook as Health Minister.

UPDATE: The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has found ‘substantial commencement' on Vimy Resources' Mulga Rock project has occurred.

A Western Australian pilot project testing the performance of rooftop solar has been awarded $8.6 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

First Quantum Minerals has opened a $100 million extension project at the Ravensthorpe nickel mine.

The opening of Australia's largest microgrid has been flagged as an indicator of industry leading the charge when it comes to net-zero commitments.

A Perth research institute focused on battery industries has signed up a consortium of companies, government agencies and universities to build a cathode precursor production pilot plant.

It is not just startups that innovate to grow.

BHP has commenced production at Australia's first nickel sulphate plant after a protracted development phase that saw up-front costs more than double.

Political debate about coal power is boiling but economics and engineering will have a substantial impact.

The oil and gas sector has strongly criticised the state government's new resources sector strategy, saying it failed to focus on policies needed to achieve future success.

The Perth Mint has today launched its latest bullion program to an international audience of wholesale and retail distributors.

The state government has committed an extra $2.5 million a year to a scheme aimed at encouraging further investment in WA's mining sector.

WA's role in the electric vehicle supply chain has received a big boost, with BHP Nickel West announcing a deal with carmaker Tesla.

Synergy's $120 million Kwinana battery project will head to development assessment next Tuesday, at least the third utility-scale storage proposal to be reviewed this year.

Synergy will run a rapid expression of interest process to redevelop the South Fremantle Power Station, after receiving an unsolicited bid.

A mobile application aimed at improving mental health outcomes for Australia's 250,000 mining-sector workers was launched today.

What are the qualifications that make an individual suited to sit on a government board?

Western Australians affected by Tropical Cyclone Seroja will receive help with their power and water bills as the massive clean-up effort continues.

The value of production and number of jobs in Western Australia's resources sector has reached new levels.

Our updated listing of the 50 most influential Western Australians in business and politics highlights four individuals who stand apart from the rest.

Mincor Resources' Cassini nickel mine was officially opened today ahead of the planned start of production, with the main decline named after the late Roy Woodall.

What role will unions and factions play in Mark McGowan's second term?

Premier Mark McGowan said today he was taking the treasury portfolio to head off a challenge to WA's GST deal but strongly hinted the role would be temporary.

Mark McGowan has expanded the number of members serving as parliamentary secretaries, possibly foreshadowing future ministerial appointments.

The Nationals will hold just four seats in the lower house after former party leader Terry Redman lost the South West seat he's held since 2013 this morning.

Labor's left faction is set to dominate cabinet appointments as key figures from the party's right flank are shifted out of the ministry.

An aggressive switch to green energy and manufacturing is the boldest economic policy of the state election campaign, though the promise has many challenges.

The Labor Party has vowed to spend more than $37 million overhauling the state's mining data and information system and halving project approval times.

In the last chapter of the Business News' Great for the State series, leaders from energy, mining, the arts and sport shared their insights on shaping the state's future.

WA Labor has promised $259 million for renewable manufacturing, including for 1,000 standalone power systems, while hitting back at LG's support of the Liberal energy plan.

Zak Kirkup's energy plan has won the support of LG, which has written to the opposition leader to express interest in helping implement the plan if he becomes premier in March.

Bill Johnston has amped up Labor's attack on an ambitious energy plan proposed by the WA Liberals, but opposition energy spokesman David Honey says he's under no illusions it will be easy.

The state government has awarded contracts worth $17 million for 98 new stand-alone power systems and partial funding for a $9.4 million biofuel plant.