Mark Beyer

Qantas has reaffirmed its desire to gain control of Alliance Aviation Services despite the competition watchdog today expressing concern about the two airlines coming together.

A $1 billlion-plus lithium refinery planned for the Pilbara has been put on hold and a second refinery under construction in the South West has been reduced in size as local company Mineral Resources and its US partner restructure their joint venture after a sharp fall in lithium prices.

Perth-based gold producer Resolute Mining is adding a fourth mine to its portfolio after striking an agreement to acquire privately owned Toro Gold, which owns the high-margin Mako mine in Senegal.

The Western Australia Court of Appeal has dismissed an application seeking to overturn the environmental approval granted in 2017 to Cameco Australia's Yeelirrie uranium project.

Swan Taxis has announced plans to upgrade and substantially expand its fleet with more hybrid vehicles, following a similar investment by its Singapore-based owner Comfort DelGro Corporation.

The state government has appointed 10 members to the board of its peak infrastructure advisory body, including six directors from the private sector led by chairman John Langoulant.

Australian private equity firm Allegro Funds says it will make a significant investment in Western Australia's largest diagnostic imaging provider, Perth Radiological Clinic, the latest in a string of deals for the sector.

The international owners of Cobham Aviation Services, which is one of the major players in the FIFO charter market in WA, have announced a strategic review that could lead to new ownership.

The Shire of Peppermint Grove has been strongly criticised in a Supreme Court ruling that found it mishandled the listing of heritage properties, and specifically a prominent house on the Swan River foreshore.

Pacific Energy has entered a takeover deed with investment group QIC, with major shareholder Kenneth Hall set to reap more than $200 million from the deal.

Every major airport in Western Australia achieved growth in passenger numbers last year, with Broome and Kalgoorlie hitting annual records.

A privately owned WA airline has taken the lead on an innovative new service as the state government continues its review of regional aviation.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss big retail projects, unemployment statistics, apartment developments, iron ore production, tourism update, private school fees, Austral Fisheries, and our special report on regional aviation.

The recently announced sales of Perth stockbroking firms Patersons Securities and DJ Carmichael will reshape the sector's pecking order in Western Australia.

WA's major theatre company has reported a sharp fall in box office sales for the fourth year in succession, along with a small operating surplus, with a big donation from Minderoo Foundation helping to bolster its financial position.

The end of the financial year has triggered the sale of a spate of long-running private companies in Western Australia, including global tech leader Immersive Technologies, mining consultancy CSA Global and Action Industrial Catering.

Quintis subsidiary Arwon Finance has won a Supreme Court ruling against its former chief executive Frank Wilson requiring him to repay a $13.2 million loan taken out in 2014.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Berrington Care Group, house prices, lithium projects cost, new retail and hospitality ventures, Minderoo plans, lotto fallout, and our special report on corporate finance.

Prominent real estate agent and City of Joondalup Deputy Mayor Russell Poliwka has been ordered to pay $2 million to Perth investor Sherif Girgis after a Supreme Court judgement this week.

Empired plans to undertake a buy-back of up to 10 per cent of its shares, while also announcing that it would cut operating costs and capex in the current financial year to help boost earnings.

Local Aboriginal leaders hope WA can match the success of the federal government's indigenous procurement policy.

SPECIAL REPORT: Clontarf Foundation, The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, The Girls Academy, and Glass Jar Australia.

SPECIAL REPORT: Reconciliation Action Plans are used by hundreds of organisations across Australia to deliver better outcomes. Click through to our Indigenous Development feature.

SPECIAL REPORT: Ken Wyatt has overcome numerous challenges on the path to becoming the most powerful advocate for Aboriginal Australians.

Macmahon Holdings has responded swiftly to last week's unexpected retirement of two directors, including chairman Jim Walker, by reappointing Vyril Vella to its board.

Australia's annual population growth rate increased to 1.63 per cent in 2018, and while WA's growth rate has improved, it continues to be one of the slowest growing states.

FIRM Construction has begun work this week on the redevelopment and expansion of Prendiville Group's Hotel Rottnest.

The tally of new ASX listings from Western Australia remains at just two this year, with Gold Tiger Resources (Australia) canning its IPO after being hit by weak equity markets and gold sector woes and having to issue a supplementary prospectus.

Perth-based IT services firm Zetta has recruited Tim Shanahan as its new chair, as it continues to pursue acquisition opportunities.

WA Labor's state executive has backed a motion calling for the expulsion of construction union boss John Setka, albeit by a small margin, and with Premier Mark McGowan using the issue to step up his attack on Maritime Union of Australia boss Christy Cain.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has been selected as Western Australia's tech company of the year for 2019 with Robert Nathan, Derek Gerrard and Alerte Digital Health among other winners in the annual INCITE awards.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Liberal leadership change, State of the Arts, agricultural outlook, Patersons sellout, Curtin's expansion, gold challenges, Western Australians honoured, and our special report on defence.