Mark Beyer

Warrego Energy bidders Hancock Prospecting and Strike Energy have traded blows over the takeover battle for the Perth Basin gas play after Strike's off-market bid opened.

Ambitious plans to develop the world's largest solar energy network in the NT have gone awry after a disagreement between billionaire backers Andrew Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes.

A joint venture between Tianqi Lithium and IGO has acquired an early-stage growth opportunity by striking a deal to purchase ASX-listed explorer Essential Metals.

UPDATED: Warrego Energy has taken the unusual step of publicly criticising the two bidders for the company while Mineral Resources has revealed a 16 per cent stake.

Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Warrego Energy, Blackburne, South West vineyards, Chevron, population and housing trends, AusGroup and Clough.

Documents filed as part of a restructure of Chevron's Australian operations have given a glimpse into the finances of the $13 billion-a-year oil and gas producer.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has launched what is effectively the seventh takeover bid for Warrego Energy in the space of two months, jacking up its offer price by 29 per cent.

Shares in Warrego Energy jumped late today on heavy trading with Chris Ellison's Mineral Resources believed to have joined the takeover battle for the Perth Basin gas play.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has lifted its stake in Perth Basin gas play Warrego Energy to 25.9 per cent as a stand-off looms with rival bidder Strike Energy.

Western Australia's population grew by 1.3 per cent last financial year, continuing the modest improvement from the very low growth achieved when strict COVID restrictions applied.

Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Mark McGowan's cabinet reshuffle, Clough, gas shortages, Genesis Minerals and St Barbara, CBH Group, the year in markets, HealthEngine, Artrya and the SKA.

ANALYSIS: Mark McGowan's ministerial reshuffle was in many respects a sideshow – real power in the government remains with a small group of ministers and advisers close to the premier.

Three years after being named WA's Innovator of the Year, crane technology company Roborigger is getting commercial traction.

UPDATE: Administrators for Clough have found a new buyer in Webuild, the company that pulled out of a lifeline deal to save the Perth engineer just over a week ago.

Shares in St Barbara and Genesis Minerals have both risen strongly today in a rare example of both parties to a takeover deal gaining from the transaction.

Australia's corporate regulator has launched legal proceedings against 11 directors and officers of The Star Entertainment Group and again defended not taking similar action against Crown Resorts.

Mineral Resources has recruited Professor Colleen Hayward as a non-executive director, making it one of the few major ASX companies to have an Aboriginal person on its board.

Senior editor Mark Beyer discusses some of the highlights from his recent conversation with Nearmap's Rob Newman.

Fresh from the $1 billion sale of Perth-founded Nearmap, Rob Newman has mused on what makes a successful tech hub.

The turnaround time for ships using Fremantle harbour has more than doubled in recent years, adding to pressure for major infrastructure upgrades additional to the planned Westport project.

Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Clough, cost pressures, Urbis' apartment report, interest rates, federal EPA, Harry Hoffman, Dave Kelly and preview the next edition of Business News.

The federal government is adopting a swathe of reforms recommended by Infrastructure WA chair Nicole Lockwood but the local body will not be directly affected.

Mitsui & Co says it is confident of finding a workable solution for its Waitsia gas project as the share price of its joint venture partner Beach Energy continues to slide.

Clough's collapse into voluntary administration could set back a planned $6.4 billion urea project in the Pilbara by months, Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan has said.

Italy's Webuild has backed out of a conditional deal to buy struggling engineer Clough, plunging the 102-year old Perth-based company into administration.

Company director John Poynton has quietly added to his board portfolio, joining Perth Airport two months ago as a representative of the Australian government's Future Fund.

Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Fiona Hick, RISE Awards, Ron Packer, Warrego, Water Corporation and Kate Jenkins' recent report on harassment.

Corporate adviser John Poynton and lawyers Aaron McDonald and Tim Hammond have teamed up to establish a dispute funding business targeting the Perth market.

A comprehensive national survey has found one third of Australians have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, with the IT, media and arts sectors the worst offenders.

Senior editor Mark Beyer talks about some of the innovative ways that WA's biggest businesses are retaining employees.

A small Perth company is taking on a big US business as it vies to become a major supplier of hydration products for the sports and industry markets.

Big employers are adopting innovative approaches to staff recruitment and retention.