Mark Beyer

The looming federal election could mark a big shift in political power, not just in Canberra but also WA.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Matt Mckenzie discuss Scott Morrison and roads funding, Perth's wave park, the Hopman Cup and other tourist attractions we don't have in Perth, urban sprawl, Wesfarmers' surprise takeover target, growth in WA's resources sector, and our new supplement Great for the State.

The McGowan government has brought a sudden end to long-running plans for a $28 million wave park on the Swan River, ironically just one day after the Tourism Council WA complained that the wave park was one of 16 new tourist experiences being held up by government red tape.

Outer suburbs such as Alkimos, Baldivis and Ellenbrook are continuing to account for most of the growth in Perth's population while inner suburbs like Mosman Park and Subiaco are shrinking, despite long-standing policies to boost urban infill.

SPECIAL REPORT: Low awareness of cyber security risks remains a key issue for the business sector.

SPECIAL REPORT: Staying abreast of rapidly changing business technologies is a growing challenge for many SMEs.

To mark the launch of BDO's 2019 remuneration report, Business News spoke to three leading executive search consultants in Perth about market trends

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Perth's cost of living, tourism marketing, Golden Group and Far East Consortium's apartment projects, election campaign, wages and unemployment, court battles, Woodside and Sapien Cyber, and our special report on ICT.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has dismissed a critique of Labor's wages policy, describing the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA as a trade union for employers and insisting wage increases were sensible.

Private equity investors have bought the assets and business of Welshpool-based coatings distributor Robayne, two months after the company was placed into voluntary administration.

Woodside Petroleum has made a multi-million dollar investment in Edith Cowan University spin-out Sapien Cyber, which has become the third tech startup to attract financial backing from the gas producer over the past month.

A rigger has been fined $4,000 plus $10,000 in court costs after two Irish workers on an East Perth construction site were crushed to death by a tilt-up panel weighing more than three tonnes.

A carefully managed five-year incubation process for new Perth company Respirion Pharmaceuticals has resulted in one of the largest funding deals for Western Australia's biotech sector.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss 40under40, EPA carbon shift, biotech, KPMG buys Ferrier Hodgson, Optus stadium, executive remuneration, and our special report on oil and gas.

Global IT company Atos expects to triple the size of its Western Australian workforce after being awarded one of the state government's largest ICT contracts.

Perth-based Bhagwan Marine has diversified its business beyond its traditional focus on northern Australia by winning a marine maintenance contract at Port of Melbourne.

QBE Insurance has been ordered to pay $10 million to a Perth investor who was a client of stockbroking firm Stripe Capital and former Perth broker Todd King.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss carbon crackdown, Fraser Institute ranking, WA tech partnerships, lithium green light, pub sales, women in business, WACA upgrade, and our 40under40 preview.

Construction has commenced on Australia's first thermal waste-to-energy facility, located in Kwinana, which is expected to lead to 860 jobs.

Woodside Petroleum and Curtin University took centre stage today at a major IT conference in Melbourne hosted by global technology giant Cisco.

Three family business directors have opened up to Business News about taking over from their parents.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss the BGC sale, housing starts, Treasurer's forecast, Alinta's wind farm, the Pavilion Market site in Subiaco, family business succession, and our special feature on land developers.

BGC Australia has deferred indefinitely the sale of its core building materials and construction business because of weak market conditions but is pressing ahead with the sale of its contracting business and property assets.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting is aiming to further diversify its operations by taking over Sydney-based Riversdale Resources, which is focused on developing a new coal project in Canada.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss challenges facing company directors and their own experiences undertaking Australian Institute of Company Directors courses.

Shares in Pioneer Credit fell 29 per cent yesterday after the company reported a weak interim result and its accounts were qualified by its auditor.

Perth Airport has received the highest overall quality of service rating among Australia's major airports, with passengers enjoying their experience and airlines rating it the best in the country.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Julie Bishop, unemployment, big contract wins, interim profit reports, Airbnb, Rottnest glamping, John Langoulant and our special report on junior miners.

Perth startup Formalytics is one of six tech businesses globally to be selected for an accelerator programme backed by the European football association.

Shares in Mineral Resources fell sharply early today befor recovering some lost ground, after the company reported an interim net profit of $13 million, due in part to an unrealised loss on its stake in Pilbara Minerals.

Shares in NRW Holdings and Seven Group Holdings were stronger today after reporting improved earnings on the back of strong resources and infrastructure markets, with NRW adding its first interim dividend in five years.

Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation has failed in its attempt to overturn a key state government ruling concerning Fortescue Metals Group's Eliwana iron ore project.