It's not often that a political announcement genuinely catches everyone by surprise, but Geoff Gallop's decision this week to step down as premier and retire from politics certainly falls into that category.
Last week, State Scene canvassed some of the underlying reasons for the collapse in Liberal leader Matt Birney's standing among party colleagues during the closing months of 2005, which may well result in the emergence of pressure for his replacement duri
Steel, in case hot-headed speculators playing the Australian stock market had not noticed, is essentially made by blending two materials – iron ore and coal, with a bit of limestone tossed in, plus nickel and other stuff for speciality steels.
The Takeovers Panel has ruled favourably in relation to objections by both the Pivot Group and Saramac Nominees about the other's proposal to take over Axiom Properties Ltd.
The federal government has approved a fourth runway at Jandakot Airport and cleared the path for a proposal to develop 148 hectares of surrounding non-aviation land.
Perth's increasingly competitive cafe scene is challenging proprietors to go beyond the call of duty in their efforts to offer the best brews in town; so much so that many are seeking to transform their businesses beyond bare beans.
The WA Fishing Industry Council has joined an initiative with the Kailis Bros Fishing Group and Abacus Fisheries to promote unique Western Australian blue swimmer crabs.
All the talk around the premium olive growing region of Moore River at the moment is of an imminent announcement regarding an exciting new food event – oil related no doubt.
Participation rates for women at work may be at a highest-ever 45 per cent, and 56 per cent of university graduates may be female, but such figures can lead to false assumptions when it comes to women in the corporate world.
Greening Australia is the largest environmental organisation in Australia, but its work is far removed from the confrontational approach associated with some conservation groups.
The female managing director is a rare breed in Perth, particularly in the resources industry, but Eve Howell is perfectly at ease with her role as regional vice-president and MD at Apache Energy Limited, a US-based company with a market capitalisation of
‘Everyone makes money in a boom' and ‘every deal is a winner' are statements that ought to be consigned to that list of other great lies, such as the ‘cheque is in the mail' – a point that close observers of the deals of 2005 will have noted.
Three high-profile transactions launched during 2005 ran into unexpected difficulties, providing telling reminders that even the best-laid plans can run off course.
Western Australian companies raised a record $3 billion in new equity issues in 2005, underpinning a second boom year for local broking firms Patersons Securities and Euroz Securities.
Private equity investors participated in some of the largest and most notable transactions in Western Australia in 2005, including the rescue of biotech company Chemeq and the acquisition of EG Green Group.
The boom conditions in Western Australia's iron ore industry have underpinned a rapid increase in capital raisings by current and aspiring iron ore miners.
With Western Australia entering what promises to be another year of strong economic expansion, the major challenge facing the state continues to be managing its rapid growth.
The ranks of those Liberal MPs who are wondering if their leader, Matt Birney, will still be in his position on April 17, his wedding day, swelled markedly just before Christmas, when the Parliamentary Privileges Committee adjudicated on his secret insert
Early summer's a great time to get out and enjoy Western Australia's wonderful outdoors, and the growing number concerts and wine and food events are a highlight of the season.
When Cape Bouvard began speculative construction on a $15 million, seven-level office building in early 2004, Perth's office vacancy rate was 12 per cent, the market outlook was dismal and construction costs were spiralling.
After a lengthy period of stagnation, Perth's office sales market last year broke all previous records with unpredicted momentum generated by a shortage of supply and rising rents.
Perth-based biotech company Regenera Ltd has changed its name to Advanced Ocular Systems Ltd following its merger with US based refractive devices company Advanced Ocular Systems, Inc. on 30 December 2005.
Demand for land at LandCorp's upmarket Minim Cove development in Mosman Park continues, with buyer interest in an early December release outnumbering available lots by four to one.
There is always a fantastic energy and optimism in Western Australia when the economy is booming and work is plentiful. Few people would dispute that we enjoy one of the best lifestyles in the world. So amid all this confidence and what would seem such a
There are no signs the wave of growth being ridden by the state's information and communication technology sector is going to peak any time soon, but the sector still faces some formidable challenges in the years before 2010.
It has been 200 years since Horatio, Viscount Nelson has lain dead after the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. His flagship, HMS Victory, lives on as a shrine at the Royal Navy base at Portsmouth, England; his memory lives on in the hearts of seafarers.
