News Articles for Mark McGowan

The auditor general has found major flaws in the state government's Buy Local policy, with concerns regarding data collection leaving agencies unsure if the policy is benefitting local businesses.

The state government has moved to terminate a state agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation and Buru Energy that was enacted in 2013 when there were high hopes that fracking in the Kimberley's Canning Basin would lead to development of major onshore gas projects.

Edith Cowan University is the first beneficiary of the state government's much-touted innovation strategy, with $800,000 earmarked for a cyber security hub at Joondalup.

The state government has signed an agreement with the mining industry to ensure social and economic benefits to the Pilbara community with a focus on pathways to employment.

West Perth-based Phoenix Academy is using this month's state government trade mission to China to officially open a joint venture college it has established in Shanghai.

OPINION: Skewed voter representation and the often-obstructionist outcome that follows has some eyeing changes to the WA Legislative Council.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has made an emotional plea for gambling revenue to be factored into the GST distribution system, while Western Australians have been warned the state's share of the revenue could potentially fall to zero if the economy were to return to boom times.

Laws enabling the state government to dump a councillor who acts improperly will be introduced in parliament this year, and be drafted to allow for Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to be dealt with retrospectively, Premier Mark McGowan says.

Premier Mark McGowan says he is hopeful negotiations with the AFL on its move to the new Perth Stadium for the 2018 season will be complete by the end of the week.

The Western Australian opposition will not block the Labor government's proposed payroll tax increase, despite describing it as a broken election promise and predictions it will cost over 1,300 jobs.

The state government has been encouraged to follow the lead of NSW and South Australia and privatise its land registry agency, Landgate, which posted a net profit of $20.1 million last financial year.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten confirmed today that $700 million of federal money will be provided for a train line to Ellenbrook in Perth's north-east if Labor wins the next national election.

US company Tronox has gained state government backing for the development of two mineral sands mines north of Perth, to support its value-added manufacturing operations at Kwinana.

Premier Mark McGowan says the Liberal Party has been grossly irresponsible by voting to block the gold royalty hike and is urging them to reverse the decision.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt has lashed the opposition for not backing the proposed gold royalty hike, which is now set to fail in parliament, claiming the Liberal Party has opposed more than $1 billion in budget repair measures.

The joint venture partners of the Wheatstone LNG facility near Onslow have hailed first production, with the first of two gas processing trains coming online today.

OPINION: It is vital for the WA government to stick with its budget repair plans despite breaking an election commitment on pay rises.

The premier has dismissed claims that almost 3,000 jobs would be lost under the state government's planned gold royalty hike, after a report claimed that five existing mines were at risk of closing if the royalty was enacted.

Premier Mark McGowan has lashed the state police union's leadership after a short-lived escalation of industrial action over a pay dispute, saying they went rogue and took the law into their own hands.

OPINION: Labor will need to compromise if its budget plans are to pass the parliament, and a push for upper house reform may not be out of the question.

Adelaide-based tech company MGM Wireless has won a contract to provide its low-cost messaging app to all public schools in Western Australia for an undisclosed sum.

The state government has set itself the target of increasing the number of women appointed to its boards, committees and advisory bodies to 50 per cent by 2019, though it has a long way to go before hitting gender equality at its major trading enterprises.

The state government is considering enforcing a floor price on takeaway booze to stop people getting drunk on cheap alcohol, but the opposition says it is a cost impost on households and red tape burden on businesses.

Premier Mark McGowan says he is disappointed internal documents have been leaked to the opposition following the state budget last week.

The state government has announced that lightweight, single-use shopping bags will be banned from July 1 next year, bringing Western Australia into line with most other states.

Western Australia's net debt is set for further big increases over the next three years before coming down slightly once the government's budget returns to surplus in 2020-21.

Gold miners have warned of devastating consequences from a higher royalty rate, including potential mine closures, while business groups have also taken aim at proposed payroll tax hikes for larger employers, after both were targeted in a $1 billion revenue grab by the state government in today's budget.

Billionaire backer Andrew Forrest has vowed to continue the Western Force's fight with the Australian Rugby Union after losing an appeal to remain in the Super Rugby competition.

A motion to financially secede Western Australia from the federation drew gasps of disbelief around the nation when it was narrowly passed, but even those proposing it admit it's unlikely to happen.

Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi has been disqualified from holding any office for 18 months after failing to disclose gifts and travel, but her lawyer will seek to halt the penalty pending an appeal.

Qantas will conduct a 12-month trial of discounted airfares for six regional centres in Western Australia, following a similar move by Regional Express in July.

A decision on whether to sell betting agency TAB will not be made until after the Western Australian budget is handed down next week.

The McGowan government has announced the Wandoo minimum security prison will be returned to the public sector, despite an independent review this year finding private contractor Serco had met or exceeded expectations.

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 Western Australian government is considering suing the Australian Rugby Union for more than $100 million over the decision to axe the Western Force, threatening to bankrupt the body.

Potato growers say farmers may be forced to accept a $650,000 reimbursement offer from the Western Australian government over a failed legal battle with Perth's maverick 'Spud King', despite it being less than half of what they are owed.

Harvey Millar and Christobel Saunders have been jointly named scientist of the year at the Premier's Science Awards for 2017, winning the approval of a judging panel led by Western Australia's chief scientist, Peter Klinken.

Steel fabrication workshops on the Kwinana industrial strip have secured some big contracts.

The man who famously led the sea rescue of yachtsmen Tony Bullimore and Thierry Dubois 20 years ago has been employed by the state government to fight to get more defence contract work for the state.

Northern Star Resources boss Bill Beament has called on the state government to commit $100 million towards the development of a mining education hub in Kalgoorlie through Curtin University's WA School of Mines (WASM).