Since State Scene recently highlighted the state Labor Party's dismal electoral performances – measured by the number of primary votes Labor gained in the 1989, 1993, 1996, 2001 and 2005 state elections – in the interest of balance perhaps it's time the L
The property and construction industry has created many powerful and influential Western Australians, none more so than Multiplex founder John Roberts.
Two recent Australians of the Year, Professor Fiona Stanley and Dr Fiona Wood, head the list of influential people in the field of science and technology.
Long-time Perth broadacre developer Ardross Estates Pty Ltd plans to transform the crayfishing port of Jurien Bay into one of Western Australia's premier nature-based tourism venues.
This time last year, Rugby WA chairman Geoff Stooke and cricket legend Dennis Lillee were not regarded as major players in the running of sport in Western Australia; but that changed with a vengeance late last year.
The boardroom coup at the WA Cricket Association last September was headlined by new president Dennis Lillee, but standing with him were three prominent business figures, who were also elected to the WACA board.
There have been minimal changes on the Labor side of politics since the Government won re-election at last February's state poll, but there have been enormous changes on the Opposition side.
Western Australia has 27 members and senators in the federal parliament, and while some are very good at generating headlines, there is a group of five who are clearly the most influential.
The two most influential public servants in Western Australia, newly appointed Under Treasurer Tim Marney and Acting Director General of Health Neale Fong, are both far removed from the traditional image of career bureaucrats.
John Langoulant has undergone a big change over the past year, moving from his role as under treasurer to become chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.
In contemporary government, the reality is that political advisers with direct access to ministers wield far more influence than traditional public service advisers.
Between 200 and 300CE, when the Roman Empire was still a superpower, albeit in decline, its citizens complained of two types of bandits – those who were mobile and those who were stationary.
The science of wine has just moved up a level, with recently multi-awarded Margaret River winery Watershed joining forces with Curtin University of Technology to get to the bottom of a good bottle.
Beazley wins unopposed The then Federal Minister for Finance, Kim Beazley became the natural successor to then Prime Minister Paul Keating, easily winning an election to become Deputy Prime Ministe
Well, it has happened again. Western Australia is to have another governor, a retired public servant, 67-year-old Dr Ken Michael, and the people were again denied a say in who would hold their state's most powerful constitutional post.
Brance office syndrome, the inferiority complex that rears its head every few years in Western Australia, is overdue for a return if stock exchange pecking order is a guide.
Nearly one in every three dollars collected by State Treasury over the coming financial year could be taken in payroll tax – a huge $1.24 billion – making it businesses' biggest burden.
Boans city department store was a Perth institution from its opening in November 1895 until 1986 when the doors closed for the last time. See Special Reports for related articles.
