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WILL 2005 be forever etched in our memories?

Australia is almost singularly focused on a rising China, yet while the resource-led boom offers governments significant revenue through taxes and royalties, little thought or consideration is given to India, a nation which shares strategic space with Aus

State Scene wishes to conclude this year's assessment of the local political scene with some observations about the featherbedding and political funding of political parties.

Two of the more impressive Native Title agreements entered into nationally during 2005 took place in Western Australia, demonstrating the maturity of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement process.

After a rapid turnaround in the commercial property sector during the past year, property commentators are forecasting a bumper five years ahead, with the market riding on the back of the bounding resources economy.

Melbourne-based fund manager SAITeysMcMahon has been confirmed as the buyer of Wesfarmers House on the Esplanade, paying $47.5 million in the second biggest property deal of the year.

The big spenders in the September quarter may represent a vastly different group but one commodity group that stands apart from the iron ore hunters is the diamond explorers.

The wealthy and private Caratti farming family has been linked to a major CBD office deal of this year, the $11.3 million purchase of 218 St Georges Terrace.

Curtin University is facing big changes in 2006 after chancellor Eric Tan announced he would retire when his current term expires in March.

It might feel like a long way away but the events at Cronulla Beach in Sydney at the weekend are something we should all be wary of.

Last week's in-camera parliamentary privileges committee hearings on Liberal leader Matt Birney's financial interests statements raised a host of questions that will hopefully be addressed before Christmas.

‘Unintended consequences' is one of those marvellous expressions which, when translated, simply means we have no idea what will happen after we change the rules.

There were no punches pulled by the wine industry experts who addressed last week's WA Wine Industry Outlook Conference 2005.

The good times are continuing in the Perth office market, with almost $400 million worth of CBD property changing hands this year and local investors weighing in heavily alongside interstate and international buyers.

Listed property trust Aspen Group Ltd has bought the Dunsborough Lakes residential development from Ric Stowe's Griffin Group for $93.5 million.

HEALTH fund HBF managing director Mike Gurry has highlighted the rising cost of medically implanted prostheses, which amounted to $52 million last year, as well as operations and doctors' fees, in

Margaret River wine pioneer Dr John Lagan has seen his Xanadu Wines collapse and its major assets sold to eastern states interests. In the process shareholders, his family included, have lost millions of dollars. Mark Mentiplay reports

As the gutted shell of Xanadu Wines, the renamed Global Wine Ventures, considers its options, the Rathbone family is moving quickly to re-establish founder Dr John Lagan's vision of Xanadu as a premium Margaret River wine and tourism icon.

The state's recently passed Mining Amendment Bill may aim to provide greater incentive for mineral exploration, but concerns remain that the current production boom is blinding decision makers to the decline in exploration spending.

Health fund HBF managing director Mike Gurry has highlighted the rising cost of medically implanted prostheses, which amounted to $52 million last year, as well as operations and doctors' fees in his annual report to members.

THE WEST AUSTRALIANBusiness

People in Perth may be surprised to learn that current laws allow cafes and restaurants to serve alcoholic drinks to customers who do not purchase a meal.

If the recently unveiled plans for the redevelopment of Perth's foreshore sound familiar, they should.

Although the state government has voiced its support for foreshore development, the controversial issue of coastal development seems to have died down after the government introduced a height policy earlier this year.

While participants in the WA Business News forum agreed that more inner-city development was needed, the issues and consequences that arise when residential and commercial developments are combined are well known, as evidenced by the Old Swan Brewery and

Fast-growing cash flow lender Benchmark Debtor Finance has been acquired by two Sydney-based financial institutions, Allco Principal Finance and Balmain NB.

Action currently under way by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission against Westpoint Group hasn't swayed the enthusiasm of many property companies and lenders, who see mezzanine financing as a mainstream way of financing developments.

Rapid growth has driven Great Southern Plantations to seek a new head office for the second time in two years.

Was Peter Costello serious when he suggested reportedly he had no responsibility to investigate the background of Reserve Bank of Australia board candidate, Robert Gerard?

State Scene expects to be voting, soon after New Year, in a by-election for the seat of Yokine, currently held by one-time Labor minister Bob Kucera.

Buying local is a good thing when shopping for fruit and vegetables, but not necessarily a wise investment policy.