Mark Beyer

Western Australian startups and ‘young' tech companies raised $295 million last financial year, which was 8.3 per cent of the amount raised nationally, a new report has found.

The corporate regulator has objected to an underwriting deal under which Andrew Forrest's Squadron Resources could end up with as much as 61 per cent of Poseidon Nickel.

Startup businesses in Perth have access to a new source of funding after the Royal Automobile Club of WA launched a $3 million investment fund last night, while also disclosing it is a substantial shareholder in fast growing blockchain business Power Ledger.

ASX-listed Volt Power Group has suffered a major setback after BHP suspended its long-runing service relationship with wholly-owned subsidiary Wescone Distribution, less than a year after Volt bought Wescone.

With higher fines, longer prison sentences and possibly industrial manslaughter laws coming to WA, Business News has analysed trends in workplace fatalities.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a defamation claim brought by former Quintis managing director Frank Wilson, after the trial judge said he was surprised by Mr Wilson's asserted lack of knowledge of the sandalwood producer's contracts.

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss the opening of WA's 7th lithium mine, Perth house prices, a cyber security business backed by John Poynton and ECU, Tourism WA, skills shortages, WA Ballet's Dracula, two notable arts appointments and our special report on fashion – with Jessica Gomes, and WA designers discuss the export market.

While many people talk about universities and business working together, the John Poynton chaired Sapien Cyber is doing it.

SPECIAL REPORT: Accounting firms in WA, from mid-tier players to the 'big four', are positioning to benefit from stronger economic and commercial activity.

SPECIAL REPORT: Business News has been tracking changes among WA's accounting firms for 25 years, including seminal events like the collapse of Andersen and the break-up of the old PKF practice.

SPECIAL REPORT: Gender equity is a key goal for major accounting firms but their track record is varied, especially in WA.

Podcast: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss Northern Star Resources, Terry Agnew, legal issues, RCR Tomlinson, GovNext and our special report on professional services focuses on accountants.

The Barnett government's ambitious GovNext ICT program was based on flawed assumptions and will not achieve the anticipated savings but still holds potential to deliver significant benefits, a review has found.

Perth accountant Peter Moltoni has been hit with a $34.5 million tax assessment after the ATO took a close interest in disputed payments by his former client Pankaj Oswal.

The state government has formally commenced seeking a UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Burrup Peninsula, which is home to some of WA's largest industrial facilities and signalled any new projects will need to meet the highest environmental standards.

Brad Rosser brings diverse experience with Bond Corp, McKinsey and Co, Virgin and Unilever Ventures to his current focus on startups.

The $110 million redevelopment of Forrest Chase is set to proceed unhindered after the Supreme Court granted an injunction against the owners of a neighbouring cafe, who had blocked work by head contractor Lendlease by staying open all night.

John Langoulant's interests range widely, from building a lyric theatre in Perth to doing business in the Top End, but his main passion is public sector reform.

Podcast: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss Canberra turmoil, John Langoulant, Perth property prices, Santos, nickel's recovery and our special report – power and energy.

The state government has contracted Deloitte and AECOM to undertake studies on shipping volumes and traffic flows that will be pivotal to its Westport outer harbour project.

US company Equinix has announced plans to expand its Shenton Park data centre while seeking to differentiate itself from the likes of NEXTDC and Fujitsu, which are also upgrading their Perth data centre operations.

Santos is set to become the dominant supplier of gas in the Western Australian domestic market after striking a deal to buy privately-owned Quadrant Energy for $US2.15 billion ($A2.95 billion).

Law firm Jackson McDonald has launched a branded secondment service in response to growing demand from clients and lawyers for more flexible working arrangements.

US group Black Mountain Metals has threatened to walk away from its proposed $66 million takeover bid for Poseidon Nickel after the local company disclosed it was pursuing a substantial capital raising.

This week Mark My Words covers a broad range of topics including international students, health department corruption, liquor licenses, Ausdrill and Barminco merging, our exclusive report on retail property, and our special projects list.

Privately-held US group Black Mountain Metals, which has recruited three experienced Perth mining executives to its leadership team, has flagged a takeover bid for Poseidon Nickel at six cents per share.

The state government has foreshadowed a new graduate visa scheme to attract international students to WA but has no plans to reverse earlier policy decisions that have contributed to a plunge in the state's share of foreign students coming to Australia.

Two submarine cables that will boost communication links between Perth and Asia have reached major construction milestones.

The tech sector in WA is slowly maturing and the focus on startups is laying the groundwork for future growth.

Podcast: Mark Beyer and Matt McKenzie discuss a newly created Business News database with details of more than 140 major projects, Carnarvon Petroleum, York Civil, RCR Tomlinson, Tourism, International education, energy policy, a record grain harvest, and WA's tech sector leaders.

The Brand Agency has launched a destination marketing division, headed by former Tourism WA chief executive Gwyn Dolphin.

It may seem a trivial matter, but a recent Court of Appeal ruling on who was responsible for maintaining the shower recess in a $1,700 per week rental property should be of keen interest to many landlords and insurers.