Mark Beyer

The traditional apprentice system, which has undergone little change for several decades, needs to be modernised and become more flexible, industry representatives told the skills shortage forum.

The State Government has hailed a deal with the Indigenous people of the west Kimberley as a major step towards the long-awaited expansion of the Ord River irrigation project.

After 12 years under the leadership of managing director Neil Hamilton, listed investment company Chieftain Securities is about to be reborn with new management and a new focus on the energy sector.

Prime Minister John Howard has highlighted skills shortages as one of the Federal Government’s top priorities for its new term.

One of the hottest topics at the skills shortage forum was the negative attitude of students and parents towards traditional trades such as metalwork and mechanics.

Perth-based heavy equipment supplier and possible sales target Emeco International has reported its fifth successive year of 30 per cent-plus growth in net profit.

CBH chairman Robert Sewell didn’t mince his words last week when announcing a $72 million investment in two major flour milling companies in Asia.

Listed engineering company RCR Tomlinson has capped off a busy 12 months by making its third acquisition and lifting its market capitalisation towards its goal of $50 million.

Accounting firm Deloitte has undergone two major changes to its audit practice this week, recruiting Ernst & Young principal Tim Richards and saying goodbye to long-serving partner Graham McHarrie.

Western Australia’s venture capital industry has formed a new networking group to tackle the perennial issue of funding for ‘early stage’ technology companies.

A new investment advisory firm with impeccable connections won’t even try to play the stock market. Mark Beyer reports.

The State Government’s budget surplus in the current financial year could be as high as last year’s unexpectedly large $793 million surplus, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

United Credit Union last week completed the annual profit reports for Western Australia’s major non-bank financiers, posting a result that lagged its industry peers.

The State Government has started its tax reform package by cutting the rate of payroll tax to 5.5%. We talk to industry about why more needs to be done.

A Who’s who of Perth’s finance luminaries are backing a new company that aims to shake up the way investors think about venture capital.

Listed company mBox.com has announced plans for the simultaneous acquisition of UK-based messaging company Virtualplus Inc and Kwinana industrial company Novacoat.

Popular wisdom holds that Perth has become a ‘branch office’ economy, but the reality isn’t that simple. Mark Beyer reports.

The Federal Government’s controversial Financial Services Reform regime has created extra costs and extra paperwork for the industry. Mark Beyer reports.

HBH Consultants has been awarded its largest international contract in South Africa, adding to the amount of work Perth-based engineering consultants are winning in the African mining industry.

State Government grants have helped to kick-start private investment in Western Australia’s timber industry, with $23 million being spent on two new projects at Collie and Greenbushes.

Small business will be exempt from unfair dismissal laws and redundancy payments and find it easier to use individual workplace agreements if the re-elected Howard Government proceeds with its industrial relations reforms.

Five weeks after administrators took control of Sons of Gwalia, many people are still mystified by the sudden collapse of one of Australia’s best known mining companies. Mark Beyer reports.

On the eve of the Federal election, Mark Beyer spoke to senior Labor MP Stephen Smith and Liberal Senator Ian Campbell about their policies for business in Western Australia.

Perth-based heavy equipment supplier Emeco International has finalised a $170 million banking package as speculation mounts that its majority US shareholder is looking to sell its stake.

Pharmaceutical company Chemeq has joined gold producer Siberia Mining and technology company ERG as prominent Western Australian companies to suffer a major shortfall on their capital raising plans.

Austin Engineering and ai Limited are the sort of small industrial companies that slip under the radar of many investors but recent news from both companies could warrant closer attention.

Western Power has expressed confidence that a package of measures adopted in recent months have put it in a substantially better position to meet demand this summer compared to last summer when it was forced to introduce power restrictions.

The State Government’s three big business enterprises – Water Corporation, Western Power and LandCorp – played a significant part in last year’s bumper budget surplus, with higher profits leading to increased dividends and “tax equivalent” payments.