Mark Beyer

After going into liquidation in February, Kosmic Sound has been saved by South Australian business Dale Cleves Music Group, shortly after another iconic WA brand Jeanswest was also rescued.

The benchmark iron ore price has jumped to more than $US89 per tonne, continuing its month-long recovery, with the resources sector confirming that shipments to China are continuing as usual.

National superannuation giant First State Super and smaller Perth-based fund WA Super have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate the benefits of a merger.

The national economy put in a better than expected performance during the back end of 2019 with GDP growing 0.5 per cent in the December quarter, but the news for Western Australia was not so good, with state final demand falling.

The Australian subsidiary of Spanish engineering contractor Duro Felguera has been placed into voluntary administration after becoming mired in multiple legal disputes related to construction of the Roy Hill iron ore project.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Dan Wilkie discuss the stockmarket rout, Ben Wyatt, housing construction recovery, Paul Blackburne, infrastructure priorities, the Biome project, and our special report on Oil and Gas Projects.

Western Australia's largest timber plantation owner, investment group New Forests, has expanded its holdings by purchasing 12,000 hectares of bluegums from Bunbury Fibre Plantations, a subsidiary of Japan's Mitsui & Co.

HBF is utilising the popularity of quokkas as a symbol of Western Australia and its status as a not-for-profit business as it takes on the big health funds on the east coast.

The Supreme Court has disclosed that company director Russell Moran could have settled his dispute with broking firm Argonaut by paying $2 million; instead he went to trial and has now been ordered to pay in excess of $37 million.

National advisory body Infrastructure Australia has added regional roads upgrades in WA and Perth's water security to its listing of high priority initiatives that need more attention, and notably has kept the proposed Morley Ellenbrook rail link near the bottom of its priority list.

Perth-based contractor Decmil has disclosed that its $185 million contract with New Zealand's prisons department has ended early, with the client halting payments and seeking to apply liquidated damages.

The state government's most accomplished minister is planning to retire at next year's state election, dealing a blow to premier Mark McGowan, with a handful of current ministers seen as potential successors should Labor be re-elected.

Shares in mining contractor Macmahon Holdings have touched a new high for the year after the company reported a strong interim profit and upwardly revised its revenue and earnings guidance for the full financial year.

The ASX has launched a technology index with 46 constituent companies and while several, such as Nearmap and ResApp Health, have a WA connection, none are based in Perth.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss $A slide, footy club financials, new tech index, iron ore profits, Iluka spinout, mineral sands, property recovery, and our special report on women in business.

The West Coast Eagles have reinforced their status as the financial powerhouse of the AFL, increasing revenue to $88.7 million and annual profit to $8 million, according to financial statements lodged with the corporate regulator.

A 10 per cent fall in membership revenue and a spike in administration, marketing and redundancy costs have conspired to deliver a $1.6 million annual loss for the Fremantle Dockers.

Warring joint venture partners Northern Star Resources and Tribune Resources have been cautioned by a Supreme Court judge to avoid a 'Stalingrad' outcome of mutual commercial devastation.

A 2008 agreement between Julian Wright's two children and family company Wright Prospecting precluded further claims, a Supreme Court trial has been told.

An unusual partnership between the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation and the state government has underpinned the planned construction of a pedestrian bridge in Nedlands for an estimated $6.3 mi

A new services hub backed by the Wirrpanda Foundation and $10 million of government funding aims to fill market gaps for indigenous businesses.

Law firm Jackson McDonald has announced a raft of leadership changes, including a new chair, board members and partners, along with new branding as it seeks to refresh its market profile.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss the China travel ban extension, Woodside project challenges, AirBNB regulations, Wright family feud, Roy Hill, Wayne Martin joins a WA innovator, the launch of our Great for the State second series, and our special report on ports and transport.

This year's Most Influential feature has been narrowed down to the 50 people in WA making the biggest impact in business and politics.

Woodside Petroleum has deferred a final investment decision on the giant Browse gas project as it deals with the complexity of the planned development and unresolved commercial differences with its partners.

Mineral Resources is focused on ramping-up its iron ore operations after a major restructuring last year of its lithium assets, with the company also declaring an increased dividend today.

Shares in Northern Star Resources have continued their steady recovery back towards record levels after the gold miner reported improved half-year profits, declared higher dividends and foreshadowed further growth.

Julian Wright has commenced legal action in the Supreme Court, claiming he was defrauded when he sold his share of the family company to his siblings, 'rich listers' Angela Bennett and the late Michael Wright.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss coronavirus, South Perth and Subiaco developments, Indiana Teahouse, property report, retail failures, mining contracts, how to turn a $6 million punt into a $30 million debt, and our special report on Western Australia's most influential people.

Finance group Argonaut has won a Supreme Court ruling against Perth company director Russell Moran, who could owe in excess of $30 million after taking out a high-interest loan six years ago to buy

Private companies and not-for-profit businesses play a prominent role in the West Australian economy, with annual revenue at the top 20 exceeding $32 billion, according to data compiled by Business News.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss coronavirus and Brexit, new Chevron HQ, new office fund, WA's biggest venture capital fund, discounted payment terms, workplace tragedies, City of Perth elections and our feature on Private Business.