Joseph Poprzeczny

Scheduled railroad repairs to the Perth-to-Goldfields line have forced passengers booked on the popular but sometimes troubled Prospector to use buses after one of Kalgoorlie's premier annual events, the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum.

Lesuer National Park, near Jurien, is set to offer international and other eco-tourists the opportunity to view its flora and fauna in the comfort of tourist coaches or family vehicles.

With Prime Minister John Howard adopting so many core Labor Party policies, it's no longer possible to perceive any differences that may exist between Liberal and Labor.

The Department of Education and Training plans quizzing federal education officials on the reason for Western Australia's failure to be allocated funds to establish two of the 24 Australian Technical Colleges proposed by Canberra.

Long-time readers of this column will have noted that Canberra's ongoing drive to gain ever-greater control over the affairs of the states isn't a trend welcomed by State Scene.

Trade throughput at Western Australia's eight principal ports is projected to increase by an average of 12 per cent annually over the next four years, according to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure's director-general, Greg Martin.

Perth-based Global UAV Organisation has entered into a capability and technology demonstrator program with Australian Defence Industries Pty Ltd to develop a medium range tactical-unmanned aerial vehicle.

Australia has had 25 prime ministers.

Western Australia has failed to qualify for either of the two Australian Technical Colleges (ATC) proposed for the state by the Howard Government.

The Department of Consumer Protection is closely monitoring the activities of several fringe lending organisations that are changing short-term borrowers exorbitantly high rates.

Pilbara iron ore producers are experiencing strong demand and prices.

For reasons never clear to me, the University of WA's history department avoided focusing on military history.

The Gallop Government is claiming to have outperformed several of its conservative predecessors by negotiating a boost to iron ore royalties that is expected to add a further $150 million annually to state revenue after 2010.

Peter Wright's children are Michael, Angela Bennett, and Julian. Only Michael and Angela appear among BRW's Top 200 Richest.

Long-time business partners Lang Hancock and Peter Wright could never have foreseen the fallout from their Pilbara iron ore venture. Joe Poprzeczny reports.

Pool and spa services franchisor, PoolWerx, is planning to nearly double its number of franchisees in Perth.

The fight between backers of coal and gas is intensifying amid bidding for Western Power's 320MW power procurement contract, as Joe Poprzeczny reports.

As federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson attempts to gain even greater control over Western Australia's tertiary education sector, thereby satisfying his Canberra-based bureaucrats' thirst for greater control, our state politicians sit about looking b

Premier Geoff Gallop has defended his decision to boost taxes during his first term by claiming that subsequent tax cuts more than offset those increas

Western Australia's 15th overseas international office will be operational in California before the end of the year.

Last week, State Scene highlighted several little-discussed trends within the once powerful and highly successful state Liberal Party, which today is steadily sliding towards electoral irrelevance.

Building power stations, gas or coal fired, in Western Australia can be a Byzantine political ordeal, which probably explain why this state has Australia's highest electricity charges.

Western Australia is a strong contender to become the venue for a $1.7 billion telescope.

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

Jurien Bay, like most major near-Perth coastal centres, has a French connection.

The Federal Government is gearing up to release new website domain names that will incorporate state designations.

Profits in the global mining sector more than doubled in 2004, according to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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.

The State Government has allocated $40 million to help fast-track North West Native Title land claims in a bid to ensure the state's resources boom doesn't stall.

The marketing of Vasse Newtown, 15 kilometres south-west of Busselton, has been a remunerative and invigorating experience for Geoff Hanson of Subiaco-based Hanson Property Marketing and Management.

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.

The state's milk producers plan to continue pressuring the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the right to create a milk price negotiating group.