Mark Beyer

The lack of competition for small business lending needs to come under scrutiny at the federal government’s financial system inquiry.

Gas industry leaders lined up today to call for more supportive government policies on workplace relations, taxation and skilled migration, saying these changes were crucial if the sector was to maximise growth opportunities.

Premier Colin Barnett has launched a blunt attack on the gas industry, saying it doesn’t understand Australia, had left his government swinging “high and dry” and needed to do more for the domestic market.

Mirvac Group has cleared the way for development of its next high-rise apartment tower at Burswood after overcoming objections from local residents and the local council to its revised plans.

The Franchise Council of Australia has criticised planned federal government reforms, claiming there is inconsistency between Small Business Minister Bruce Billson’s stated intentions and draft changes to the franchising code of conduct.

Franchise groups face fines of up to $51,000 for serious breaches of the Franchising Code of Conduct under draft reforms released today by the federal government.

WA’s population growth rate has slowed, but the state and the country as a whole is still growing fast and in ways that have profound implications.

Australian liquefied natural gas projects can continue to be competitive against new developments planned for the United States, Canada and east Africa, industry consultant RISC has found.

A major international franchise chain is preparing the ground for an assault on WA’s retail convenience sector.

Recent events in the business and political sphere highlight again the importance of having a good succession plan, a process that many leaders do not embrace or understand.

Michael Fotios, who made a fortune backing gold miner Northern Star Resources, is heading back to the stockmarket to tap into what he calls “a marked increase in investor interest over the last 3 months”.

Patersons Securities plans to introduce an employee share scheme to help bolster its net assets by at least $15 million, after posting its third interim loss in succession.

There is a fascinating divergence between the mining industry and government in how they view investment in the Pilbara.

Strong growth in BGC’s contracting and development arms mean the diversified group is set to become even larger following the passing of founder Len Buckeridge, if it stays intact.

The state’s two biggest mining companies have downplayed the recent dive in the iron ore price, insisting the outlook is still positive despite analysts tipping a continued fall to around $US80 per tonne.

Parts of the East Perth skyline will start to rival the height of the central city after Finbar Group secured planning approval for what will be Perth’s tallest apartment tower.

Litigation funder Bentham IMF has announced a conditional settlement of its claims against collapsed investment manager Great Southern.

WA has become a more attractive jurisdiction for the resources sector, but more can be done.

RCR Tomlinson’s strong share price has delivered a further windfall for managing director Paul Dalgleish, who has exercised another batch of options at just 39 cents per share.

Is $1,500 per day plus all reasonable expenses a good rate of pay for the top executive at a junior mining company in the midst of a cost-cutting drive? Read Business News' latest quarterly salary survey to learn more.

Premier Colin Barnett has taken responsibility for the treasury and transport portfolios while Troy Buswell is on health-related leave for the next two weeks.

Finbar Group has gained planning approval for a new apartment project that combines a 38-level tower with restoration of two former ABC buildings on Adelaide Terrace.

Experienced insolvency practitioner Gary Anderson has agreed to merge his practice with Kim Wallman at HLB Mann Judd.

The supply of apartments in Perth’s western suburbs will increase rapidly this year, with TRG Properties, Georgiou Living and Blackburne Property Group set to launch new projects during the next three months.

Qantas is the latest in a growing number of business icons to be confronted by rapidly changing market conditions.

Aspiring iron ore miners Flinders Mines and Rutila Resources have joined forces, with backing from private New Zealand company Todd Corporation, to assess the development of an integrated rail and port project in the Pilbara.

Waste management company Tox Free Solutions has declared its first interim dividend after posting solid growth in earnings for the half year to December 2013.

Mirabela Nickel has proposed a complex restructuring that involves placing the company into administration, raising new capital and implementing a debt-for-equity swap that will leave current shareholders owning just a small fraction of the embattled mining company.

Blackburne Property Group has passed major development milestones on three of its projects, with the most significant being planning approval for what will be one of the largest apartment developments in Perth’s western suburbs.

BHP Billiton has notified Macmahon Holdings that it plans to take over the Orebody 18 iron ore mine this year, while also announcing its intention to close one of its smaller Pilbara mines.

The influx of global oil and gas players to Perth for a major conference this month has provided a platform for some to announce plans to expand their operations in Western Australia.

QUBE Holdings is confident of continued growth in revenue and profits, helped by the acquisition of Canning Vale-based IML Logistics and the increase in volumes under its port services contract with Chevron.