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The Canberra controversies of broadband pork barrelling, poorly behaved unionists and the budget surplus were blown out of the water this week by a new policy on remote indigenous communities, while Neale Fong's email history had a similar effect in WA.

Malaga-based scaffolding and form-work supplier PCH Group Ltd has resumed discussions surrounding a potential takeover bid with UK-based industrial services company Cape PLC, two months after earlier talks faltered.

Former premier and political lobbyist Brian Burke heads the group of people who have fallen off the list of Western Australia's most influential in the past year.

State Scene remains bamboozled by the failure of successive state governments to tap the Wellington Dam's huge stock of water.

The Carpenter ministry has experienced extraordinary turnover in the past year with several ministers sacked or demoted, leaving the same handful of senior campaigners in charge.

PERTH-based parking and security group Wilson has further bolstered its operations by acquiring Sydney-based business, City Eastern Security.

The state government employs thousands of public servants, yet real influence on public policy in Western Australia rests just with a handful of key advisers working in ministerial offices.

Tony Howarth is one of Western Australia's most highly regarded company directors, yet he is becoming as well known for his philanthropic activities as his commercial achievements.

John Akehurst may not have rated a mention in WA Business News' annual ranking of WA's most influential people a year ago, but during the past six months he has played a central role in deciding the fate of Alinta.

If the amount of money invested in Western Australia is a measure of influence, then the top executives at a handful of big resource companies are among the most influential people in the state.

Perth is home to some of Australia's biggest private fortunes, but having a lot of money does not always equate to having influence.

Newspaper editors are meant to focus on writing headlines, but the editor of Western Australia's only daily newspaper, Paul Armstrong, has actually generated more than his fair share over the past couple of years.

Western Australia's main public universities have some of the state's most influential people serving on their governing councils and among their senior staff.

Gooding Pervan partner Dalton Gooding and Azure Capital managing director Mark Barnaba are part of a team that last year enjoyed the highest revenue and profit derived from football earnings than any other club in the Australian Football League.

Western Australians are spending more on home renovations than ever before, as the combined effect of rising house prices and building delays flows through the sector.

The Town of East Fremantle has embarked on a strategic planning process and is accepting submissions from business and the community on how best to revitalise the area.

Anyone watching the Australian stock market for the past few weeks could not avoid the feeling that it's been bouncing across a ceiling, unable to get much higher, and looking ext

This is a bit of a ritual for me. Every year we have our Most Influential list, which follows a long period of discussion and consultation.

Western Australia's tight employment market, and an increased demand for counselling services, have created a staffing crisis in the state's not-for-profit alcohol and other drug agencies, according to the sector's peak body.

This year's most influential lists include some new faces and even more familiar names, but politics and the big end of town still dominate.

Behind the elegant façade of a 100-year-old building on Queen Street in the heart of Perth lies an exciting and exhaustive renovation that, when complete, will be home to a fine dining restaurant with all the trappings.

Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop has become the most influential Western Australian on the national political stage during the past year.

Carl and Jackie Lancaster have sold their café, situated in the foyer of the Allendale Square building, to one of its long-serving employees, Mario Lucia.

Visitors have been causing trouble in State and Federal Parliaments this week, with door-knocking union bosses, high-rollers at Kirribilli House and lost couriers at WA's Parliament all gatecrashing debate, while Holly Deane-Johns remains uninvited.

The former chairman of Burswood-based wireless communication technology developer Wavenet International Ltd, Peter Gregory, is seeking to oust current chairman Mick Stroud and return to the company board.

The increasing demand for accommodation in Perth could see the median weekly asking rent for units breach the $300 mark later this year, and even surpass the median rent for houses, according to market analysts Australian Property Monitors.

While the long-awaited expansion of the Wanneroo Central Shopping Centre takes shape, a new retail strip is under construction across the road, which is almost fully leased.

Tenants occupying premium office space in Perth's central business district have added cause for concern this month following a record $650/square metre net rental review agreement at Central Park.

Competition in Western Australia's mortgage broking market looks set to intensify this year as three of Australia's most successful non-bank lenders prepare to open new branches across the state.

Expect to read a lot more in the coming weeks about the search for value in an economy performing at its peak.

Two Western Australian not-for-profit groups have achieved a target of $1 million in their respective fundraising campaigns during the past few months.

Tucked away next door to The Orient Hotel in Fremantle is a little restaurant that's attracted some major international talent to the kitchen.