Mark Beyer

Qantas has struck a deal with a restaurant booking service enabling customers to earn frequent flyer points when making a booking at the likes of Rockpool, 1907, Sushia Izakaya and Bar, and Must Winebar.

SPECIAL REPORT: One of the Barnett government's most innovative social reforms, seeking to marry hard-nosed investment bankers with not-for-profit groups, is under review.

Mining services company Boart Longyear has taken the unusual step of awarding its recently appointed chief executive Richard O'Brien a US$5 million cash grant.

The Fremantle port authority is looking for a private sector company to develop and operate a new bulk liquids berth at Kwinana, at a likely cost of more than $100 million.

Australia's top infrastructure adviser has challenged governments around the country to be more rigorous in their evaluation of projects.

Premier Colin Barnett has announced the appointment of Under Treasurer Tim Marney as the State's next Mental Health Commissioner.

The granting of planning approval for a $400 million apartment project in Port Hedland has focused attention on environmental issues facing the Pilbara town.

Experience in the UK has delivered some good lessons on how to go about privatising government businesses.

Australia's largest full-service fitness chain is planning big changes after admitting to major problems in the way the private equity-backed business has been run.

The office vacancy rate in Perth's central business district has jumped sharply higher to 10.8 per cent, research by Jones Lang LaSalle has found.

The signing of two long-term leasing deals by BAE Systems has highlighted the defence sector's role in the state's economy.

Finbar Group has repositioned its stalled Port Hedland apartment project, announcing today that it has obtained ministerial approval to build more than 700 apartments in a 10-storey tower near the town centre.

SPECIAL REPORT: The biotech sector came to life in 2013 but pricing was critical to the success or failure of capital raisings.

The state government's liquor licensing review has sparked a fascinating debate over corporate social responsibility, vested interests and Perth's social and cultural development.

Solid gains in building approvals in 2013 are expected to flow through to the housing construction numbers in coming quarters.

Forge Group has announced further cost blow-outs of up to $28 million on one of its power station projects, less than two months after telling the market it had defined the full extent of its problems.

The founder of failed property investment group Westpoint, Norm Carey, will lose his real estate agent certificate after the Commissioner for Consumer Protection took the matter all the way to the Court of Appeal.

As Business News is closing today for a two-week break, we wish all our readers and business partners the very best for the holiday season.

The construction union and its militant leader Joe McDonald have been hit with their second hefty fine in one week, after being penalised for their role in unlawful industrial action at CITIC Pacific's Sino Iron project in the Pilbara.

Western Australian farmers have delivered their biggest harvest in history, with the total haul today surpassing the 15.06 million tonne record set in 2011-12.

FEATURE: Gina Rinehart's ability to maintain momentum at the Roy Hill project put the mining magnate at the top of our people of the year list.

Shares in biotech company pSivida Corp surged more than 50 per cent today on positive regulatory news from the United States, making up most of the losses it suffered in a dramatic fall in October.

The new management team at accounting firm Lawrence Business Management has agreed to buy the business for $7.3 million cash from listed company Countplus, after two years of restructuring.

After a tough, confidence-sapping year, business is taking a more positive outlook to 2014, according to a Business News subscriber survey.

Woodside has for the first time confirmed the high cost of its shelved James Price Point gas project, though the figure it has released is not directly comparable to the construction cost estimates for other LNG developments like Chevron's larger Gorgon development on Barrow Island.

The business sector got the governments it wanted in 2013 but it's unclear what policies they will deliver.

The state's peak business group has hired a former chief of staff to premier Colin Barnett as its new chief executive. Deidre Willmott will succeed James Pearson as CCI chief executive.

Twenty years after being established in controversial circumstances, insurance broking firm Strathearn is eyeing some big potential changes.

FEATURE: A diverse array of privately held and public-listed companies is angling to become the next success story in the onshore oil and gas sector.

Chevron has announced a second cost increase and further delays to its giant Gorgon gas project, with the budget now set at $US54 billion.

Atlantic chairman and managing director Michael Minosora has predicted a doubling in production volumes this month, as the vanadium and iron ore miner moves toward breakeven on its operating cash flow.

A Productivity Commission report this week has given state and federal governments a clear guide towards a better project approvals system.