Mark Beyer

Western Power has deferred the sale of Bright Telecommuni-cations after turning around the subsidiary’s financial performance by focusing on niche Internet services.

Fremantle is poised to become home to Western Australia’s 30th Community Bank branch, which will break new ground by targeting the local business community.

The Gallop government has allocated an additional $890 million to cover extra capital works spending in the health system.

IBT Education has become the third listed Western Australian company in as many months to switch its audit work from a second-tier firm to one of the big four accounting firms.

The Gallop Government has reported a surprisingly large $1.24 billion budget surplus for 2004-05, adding to pressure on Treasurer Eric Ripper to deliver major tax cuts. Also releasing its final results this week was Western Power, which as expected report

Western Australia’s chief executives are the most confident in the country, according to the latest survey by The Executive Connection.

Sonic Healthcare subsidiary SKG Radiology has highlighted the growing cost of modern medical technology with its latest capital spending plans.

With a review of Western Australia’s public infrastructure concluding it is generally superior to other states, the Gallop Government is spending $4.7 billion this year to try and keep it that way.

Alumina and petrochemicals are set to join the iron ore and oil and gas industries as major drivers of the state’s extraordinary investment boom, WA Business News’annual major projects review has found.

Foodland Associated has reported a drop in net profit after spending $19.6 million on its takeover defence and subsequent demerger and schemes of arrangement.

A big interest bill and one-off amortisation charges have seen heavy equipment hire company Emeco Group report a net loss of $2.1 million for the half-year to June.

Bidders for failed beef processor EG Green & Sons will have to spend an estimated $15 million to address bottlenecks in its Harvey abattoir, industry sources have told WA Business News.

The petrochemical industry, which has long been targeted as a growth sector for Western Australia, seems likely to start realising some of its potential during the next year.

The State Government is cranking up its tourism marketing push in China with the establishment of a full-time tourism office in Shanghai.

The Kailis and Paspaley families can look forward to continued dominance of Australia’s pearling industry after a major review recommended only gradual changes to the current quota production system.

BHP Billiton subsidiary Worsley Alumina could become a significant player in the Western Australian electricity industry after gaining approval to build a second 120 megawatt gas-fired power station.

THE five-year battle by WA Plantation Resources to build a $10 million woodchip mill in the South West comes to a head this week, with Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan personally hearing submissions from the company and the City of

Canadian company Custom House Global Foreign Exchange has expanded its Perth operations with a view to joining Travelex as an alternative to the banks in the commercial forex market.

Having spent 12 years and $US45 million developing its software, technology company DDD Group plc may be on the brink of finally turning a profit for its patient shareholders.

Western Australia’s business groups have started to take divergent paths in their response to the shortage of skilled labour, with the issue of funding proving to be contentious.

The world’s two biggest mining companies – BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto – feature prominently in the survey of Western Australia’s biggest employers.

Planning by Len Buckeridge’s BGC for a new cargo port at Cockburn Sound and a major brickworks at Perth Airport has moved forward on two fronts this month

Research by WA Business News has identified the biggest employers in Western Australia and found the growth of those at the top continues unabated.

Tension between Canberra and the states has long been a feature of Australia’s federation but the issue has descended to a level that is causing serious concern.

Western Australia’s most successful company, Wesfarmers, has an outstanding track record of delivering impressive returns to shareholders

The private sector is eyeing Western Australia’s new hospitals as prime candidates for public private partnerships (PPP), which involve the private sector funding, building and running what has traditionally been government infrastructure.

Only 11 of Western Australia’s mid to large-cap companies suffered a fall in their market capitalisation over the past three years, according to a recent review.

The companies that have achieved the strongest growth in market value over the past five years illustrate the breadth and depth of the resources boom currently being enjoyed in Western Australia.

The strength of the Australian stock market and the buoyant returns enjoyed by investors have been highlighted in WA Business News’ annual shareholder return feature.

Futuris subsidiary Elders is believed to be closing in on EG Green & Sons, negotiating a deal to purchase National Australia Bank’s $20 million in loans to the embattled beef producer.

The leaders of strongly growing Western Australian companies believe a focus on delivering value to shareholders is the key to their success.

The economic boom we are currently enjoying in Western Australia has wise old heads reflecting on the 1960s.