Mark Beyer

PERTH law firm Blakiston & Crabb has substantially enhanced its capabilities by forming an alliance with top-tier Sydney firm Gilbert + Tobin.

The battle over the resource super profits tax provides a test of where power and influence resides in Australia.

The debate over the resource super profits tax has degenerated into an unedifying spectacle.

The planned resources super profits tax is highly complex but the underlying issues are simple.

The Rudd government has drifted to such an extent it is unclear what, if anything, it really stands for.

The debate over tax reform has failed to pay regard to the increase in overall tax collections.

LARGE resources projects that bring capital goods into Australia instead of using local suppliers face higher costs after the federal government tightened a concessional customs duty scheme.

The dumping of the state government’s most capable minister puts the onus onto the rest of Colin Barnett’s team.

Investors and business executives have been given a few sharp reminders in recent weeks about the risk of regulatory shocks.

Western Australians need to carefully think through the implications of migration policy for the state’s social fabric and business prospects.

WESTERN Australian farmers have regained control of one of the state’s big three dairy processing companies after Challenge Dairy Cooperative moved to majority ownership of Challenge Australian Dairy Pty Ltd.

Recent developments between Australia and China point to both the increasing importance and growing complexity of the relationship.

The current market provides an ideal opportunity for one of the big banks to break away from the pack.

INCREASED use of public private partnerships has become a defining feature of the state government’s infrastructure program, but behind that label sits a wide range of procurement models.

Three industry events held in Perth this month illustrate the city’s unique and fortuitous profile.

The private owner of Jandakot Airport has welcomed federal government approval of its Master Plan for the airport but is waiting for the all-important clearance of its proposed commercial developments in the area.

Two new reports have illuminated public debate over the merit of building major sporting venues and chasing big events.

ASKING guests to enter a black-tie dinner function through the loading dock was a sure sign the 2010 WA Business News 40under40 awards would continue a tradition of innovation.

Kevin Rudd’s ambit reform plans and Colin Barnett’s defence of WA’s rights have taken federal-state relations to an uncomfortably low ebb.

THREE trucking and logistics companies are gearing up for more growth in Western Australia by committing to build or lease major new facilities worth close to a combined $120 million.

THE hive of recent activity in the Western Australian legal market has been added to by the arrival of Norton Rose and Allen & Overy.

State and federal governments are formulating plans to deal with looming labour shortages, but progress is slow.

A flurry of high level moves in the Perth legal market leaves the profession asking what the future holds.

GINDALBIE Metals has adopted an innovative contracting arrangement for its Karara iron ore project in the Mid West region, with an in-house team taking charge of the development.

Recent events in Canberra provide a telling reminder about the limits on what governments can realistically achieve.

A remarkable set of numbers lies behind the federal government’s new skilled migration policy.

London law firm Allen & Overy is making an aggressive entry into the Australian market by recruiting 17 partners from Clayton Utz, including three from that firm's Perth office.

WHAT do Rick Stowe, Clive Palmer, Richard Goyder and Kerry Stokes have in common?

The Reserve Bank’s latest interest rate decision caught markets by surprise but should not change any business or investment decisions.

THE state government last week started to flesh out its long-awaited plans for public private partnerships, revealing that it was likely to pursue PPPs in the health, education, correctional services and utilities sectors.

Business should play a role in Australia Day and other occasions that shape the national character.

SIMPLISTIC politicking is damaging the opportunity for an informed debate over the merits of public private partnerships.