Airfares on key international business routes from Perth continue to rise, according to a new report, while Virgin Australia has today unveiled plans to start direct flights between WA and Tasmania later this year.
A three-year battle over an exploration licence in the northern Goldfields has resulted in a win for prospector Andrew Paterson, who appealed against a ruling by the former mines and petroleum minister in favour of listed company Connected IO.
Moves to encourage downstream lithium processing in Western Australia continued today, with the state government announcing a taskforce to develop a strategy for the sector.
Kwinana has been selected as the site for what is likely to be the fourth lithium refinery in Western Australia, with investment in the boom sector estimated to exceed $4 billion in the next few years.
SPECIAL REPORT: Building company collapses leaving projects unfinished and subcontractors empty-handed have prompted calls for a different approach to assessing security-of-payment laws.
State governments have approved more detailed design work on the National Energy Guarantee to proceed at a Council of Australian Governments energy ministers meeting today, although Labor state leaders still have objections.
The state government is searching for a private sector partner to build a new affordable housing development at the former Kinlock primary school site in Ferndale.
The state government will review the security of payments for local subcontractors, while also establishing an industry advisory group, chaired by experienced barrister John Fiocco, to facilitate the review.
Western Australia has slipped in the latest rankings of an international survey that measures the impact of government policy on exploration and mining investment.
The global lithium supply chain will be worth more than $1 trillion in 10 years' time, if an analysis written for the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies pans out, with Western Australia well placed to grab a share.
The business community and unions may both support reducing the gender pay gap, but their divergent approaches to a solution present a stark choice for policy makers, if submissions to a review of industrial relations laws are any guide.
The mining sector needs to embrace automation and address concerns of skills shortages as the industry outlook continues to improve, according to the latest mining business outlook report by Newport Consulting.
The state government will draft amendments to the Mining Act that validate granted tenements, in the wake of the High Court's recent ruling that kept sand mining off Andrew Forrest's family pastora
Proceeds raised during last weekend's Mining Emergency Response Competition Mining Emergency Response Competition in Perth have gone towards an emergency responder wellness app developed by support services provider Holyoake.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt has announced details of a new gold royalty increase that is budgeted to raise $332 million over four years while seeking to address the industry concerns that killed off his previous proposal, but the new plan has failed to win support.
Perth's shoppers will enjoy the same extended shopping hours as last year to buy presents and hunt for bargains, but employers want longer hours all year round.
Fortescue Metals Group, Iluka Resources and Rio Tinto are among the five overall category winners in the 2017 state government's Awards for Excellence.
Unions and businesses have welcomed a review of Western Australia's industrial relations system, the only remaining state-based scheme operating in parallel with federal laws in the country.
Mines Minister Bill Johnston has been criticised for holding a scientific inquiry to decide the future of fracking in the state, with the industry saying it's unnecessary and creates damaging uncertainty.
The state government is considering amendments to the Mining Act in the wake of the High Court's recent ruling that kept sand mining off Andrew Forrest's family pastoral station in the Pilbara but cast into question the legitimacy of other granted mining leases since 2006.
The state government has named the 43 successful applicants that will share in about $5 million for exploration drilling programs, with over half of those being gold projects.
Education and tourism will be the focus for Mark McGowan's first overseas mission, with an October trip to China, followed by a November trip to Japan, announced today.
The world's largest lithium producer will make a $A150 million investment in Kidman Resources' Mt Holland project near Southern Cross, and plans to build a new refinery in the region.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston says the McGowan government will keep a close check on usage of the industry's mine rehabilitation fund to ensure unscrupulous operators don't shift costs onto honest players, while also confirming the existing state exploration incentive scheme will continue operation.
Premier Mark McGowan has been forced to reshuffle his cabinet just four days after his ministers were sworn in, with Labor state president Peter Tinley losing the mines and petroleum portfolio.
Premier-elect Mark McGowan has given added responsibilities to incoming treasurer Ben Wyatt, while Rita Saffioti, Paul Papalia, Peter Tinley and Alannah MacTiernan have been given key economic portfolios.
ANALYSIS: The Labor Party has moved quickly to snuff out any suggestion it will be pushing for a 50 per cent renewable energy target for the South West Interconnected System if it wins next month's state election.
The Labor Party moved swiftly today to reassure the business sector that it would not hand over responsibility for project approvals to an independent tribunal, after reports it was considering such a change.
Several local councils are hoping the state's assets privatisation program will give them control over one of their most significant expenses – the cost of operating street lights.
Western Australia could secure projects worth $1 billion under a reduced renewable energy target, although there is conjecture as to whether the final terms will be business friendly enough.
Premier Colin Barnett has rejected calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the iron ore industry, despite repeating his criticism of the major producers.
Energy Minister Mike Nahan's launch today of the first review of the state electricity market since Western Power was disaggregated in 2006 has drawn a mixed response.
SPECIAL REPORT: Energy Minister Mike Nahan has told Business News a review of Western Australia's wholesale electricity market could open the door to some dramatic shakeups in the sector.
