Special Report: Inside private business

The conservative management of WA’s private businesses has left them in good shape

GORDON Martin may preside over one of Western Australia's leading private businesses, but it was his recent experiences in the public sphere that shaped his understanding of the current economic crisis.

THE resources sector has undergone a rapid change in circumstances with falling commodity prices, private investors on strike, and a tough attitude by banks.

WESTERN Australia's big private businesses hold surprisingly uniform views on most subjects, and that extends to the federal government's $52 billion in extra spending via two stimulus packages.

AS Australia's oldest family company, Lionel Samson & Son has successfully weathered many economic storms.

STAYING close to customers is an important strategy to many of Western Australia's big private businesses.

ECONOMISTS have described the central bank's decision to hold the official cash rate this week as a pause to the rate cutting cycle.

CHINESE company CITIC Pacific Mining is doing more than its fair share to counter the downturn in mining and construction jobs in Western Australia, announcing that the peak workforce on its Sino Iron project will peak at a larger than expected 4,000 peop