Mark Beyer

In contemporary government, the reality is that political advisers with direct access to ministers wield far more influence than traditional public service advisers.

Two recent Australians of the Year, Professor Fiona Stanley and Dr Fiona Wood, head the list of influential people in the field of science and technology.

Unionists, lobbyists, party powerbrokers and industry associations are just some of the many behind-the-scenes influences on government policy making.

If money equals power and influence, then Perth's prominent private business owners must rank as some of the state's most influential people.

Geoff Gallop and Jim McGinty are the two dominant figures in the Labor governments that have held power since February 2001.

This year's list of influential executives in the resource sector has two defining characteristics – it's a long list and it's dominated increasingly by multinational companies.

The North West Shelf Venture's $2 billion phase V project, which received formal go-ahead last week, is expected to generate only half the jobs of the Venture's last big expansion.

The State Government's strategy of centralising ‘back office' activities into shared service centres is creating unprecedented opportunities for the information technology sector.

A successful career in politics, just like in business, can depend on being in the right place at the right time.

The State Government appeared to be a model of sensible pragmatism last week when it granted approval for Griffin Group's planned coal-fired power station at Collie.

Accounting firm Hall Chadwick has become a prime merger candidate after insolvency partners Kim Strickland and Chris Williamson left with their staff to set up a new practice under the name SimsPartners.

The State Government has challenged the accuracy of an Auditor-General's report on iron ore royalties as it continues its efforts to abolish ‘concessional' royalty payments by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Perth-born banker Rob Bransby is aiming to boost the growth of National Australia Bank's specialist healthcare financier after being appointed to the Sydney post earlier this year.

Private Perth company QVS Shopfitters has won what it considers the biggest fit-out tender in Perth this year following a $500,000 investment in robotic automation equipment.

Perth investors who like the taste of barramundi are currently in the rare position of being able to select from an investment menu with three Western Australian aquaculture companies.

Home-grown technology developed by private Perth company McRobert Aquaculture Systems has been promoted as having the potential to “revolutionise” the global aquaculture industry.

Spending on water and power infrastructure were the two stand-out increases in the 2005-06 State Budget, handed down last week by Treasurer Eric Ripper.

The State Government has held out the possibility of major tax reform after committing to establish a wide-ranging review of state taxes.

South African company Kumba Resources has put forward an indicative proposal to move to full ownership of its Australian mineral sands subsidiary Ticor.

One week after Woolworths and Metcash Trading agreed to the carve up of Foodland's trans-Tasman grocery business, Woolworths is refusing to disclose details of the 16 grocery stores it plans to acquire in Western Australia.

Perth company Comet Ridge has reported positive results from its Tipton West coal seam methane gas project in Queensland, adding to hopes it may join the ranks of gas producers in the region.

The Australian stockmarket has experienced a mild correction over the past two months but for many smaller industrial stocks it has been a rout. Mark Beyer goes looking for value.

When a company goes from a standing start to nearly 400 staff in the space of three years, you might think it would be time to take stock and consolidate.

With the Foodland takeover battle close to completion, Tethyan Copper this week became the latest takeover target in Western Australia.

Perth-born technology company Alphawest is enjoying a period of solid business growth but it also has a soft share price and a corporate raider on its share register. Mark Beyer reports.

Nearly one quarter of all small businesses are planning to change banks in the next six months, a national survey has found.

The State Government has initiated a major review of its $4 billion capital works program to assess the impact of rapidly escalating building and construction costs.

A corporate regulation forum in Perth last week was told that companies should turn regulation into an asset by highlighting the high standards of corporate governance and legal compliance in Australia.

Three major Western Australian businesses have changed hands in the past month, with Heatley Sales receiving an injection of private equity and Pioneer Water Tanks and Summit Storage Products passing to new owners.

The competitive landscape facing Western Australian businesses will become a lot clearer over the next few weeks after the state and federal governments release plans for tax and industrial relations reforms.

The term ‘family business' is typically associated with private companies, yet people like Rupert Murdoch, Kerry Packer and Frank Lowy have proven it to have a much wider import.

The Fremantle Port Authority is planning a major expansion of its port facilities in Cockburn Sound to accommodate the anticipated needs of Rio Tinto's HIsmelt pig iron plant.