Mark Beyer

SPECIAL REPORT: The mergers and acquisitions market was eventful in the March quarter, with Chinese and private equity investors to the fore, multiple WA businesses on the block, and a surprise advisory switch on a key takeover.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss property in Scarborough, Claremont, Elizabeth Quay and the Hyatt, Private capital boosts HealthEngine and Muscleworx, distilleries win gongs and March quarter deals environment.

The top Western Australian company in this year’s Energise accelerator program is developing an ambitious plan for robotic on-site manufacturing of equipment it believes will boost safety and dramatically cut costs at open pit mines.

Perth retail chain Muscleworx is poised for national expansion after buying its major competitor and securing backing from private equity investor Banksia Capital.

Perth-based HealthEngine has shown that investors still have an appetite for quality tech companies, announcing today it has raised $26.7 million from venture capital and private equity investors in a deal led by major global player Sequoia India.

Perth business executive Steven Noske faces the possibility of a gaol term after being found guilty and convicted on one count of insider trading in takeover target Westside Corporation.

Shares in gold producer Blackham Resources fell by 21 per cent today after the company revealed a raft of problems at its Matilda project, where operations have been affected by heavy rain and lowe

Loss-making livestock exporter Wellard is undertaking a share placement and entitlement offer as part of a $52 million capital raising it hopes will allow it to exploit a predicted improvement in trading conditions.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss residential property, Quintis, insolvency law reform and oil and gas.

The competition watchdog is concerned that the proposed takeover of Bibra Lake-based wheat and barley seed breeder InterGrain by Australian Grain Technologies could substantially lessen competition in the barley seeds sector.

The number of people living in regional Western Australia fell last year for the first time in at least a decade, with mining towns such as Leinster, Meekatharra, Kambalda and Coolgardie driving the decline, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows.

Clive Palmer's Mineralogy has again failed in its long-running court battle with its estranged Chinese joint-venture partner over the Cape Preston port in the Pilbara.

The federal government has introduced draft insolvency reforms designed to offer more protection for company directors and make it easier to restructure faltering businesses.

Gold miner St Barbara has approved a major extension of its Gwalia operations, which will extend the historic mine to a depth of 2,000 metres below surface over the next seven years.

Perth-based director Andrew Chapman is at the centre of an escalating battle between the board and the management team at US-focused tech company 1-Page over control of the business and its $30 million of cash.

SPECIAL REPORT: A small group of ministers and backroom advisers close to Mark McGowan will set the agenda for the new state government.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss TFS- Quintis, Kerry Stokes and mining investment, Western Force’s prospectus and who are the state’s Most Influential people?

A former chief of staff to Premier Mark McGowan has been seconded to a senior role in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, triggering speculation he may become the next director general, putting him at the centre of government power.

Private company Applied Electro Systems has become enmeshed in a legal fight with construction giant John Holland after the two businesses had a falling out over contracted work on Chevron’s Gorgon gas project.

Premier Mark McGowan has been forced to reshuffle his cabinet just four days after his ministers were sworn in, with Labor state president Peter Tinley losing the mines and petroleum portfolio.

SPECIAL REPORT: Three data centre operators, including new player Pier DC, are set to be big winners from the state government’s GovNext plan, though a fourth operator is seeking to spoil the party.

SPECIAL REPORT: The growing use of technology as a business enabler is creating opportunities for information and communication technology (ICT) firms.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss the new state government, Alinta Energy, domgas and ICT.

Premier-elect Mark McGowan has given added responsibilities to incoming treasurer Ben Wyatt, while Rita Saffioti, Paul Papalia, Peter Tinley and Alannah MacTiernan have been given key economic portfolios.

Western Australia's biggest gas retailer, Alinta Energy, has been bought by a Hong Kong jewellery and property conglomerate, with Premier-elect Mark McGowan saying the deal confirmed his opposition to privatisation.

Heavy equipment supplier Emeco Holdings has turned its focus to completing its merger with east coast companies Orionstone and Andy’s Earthmoving after noteholders backed a complex balance sheet restructuring today.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss 40under40, hotel room rates, Brett McKeon and the state election.

Ngarda Civil & Mining, a pioneering indigenous contractor that employed more than 300 people at its peak, is being wound up, though curiously the listed company that owns a 50 per cent stake is still claiming Ngarda is a big employer.

The Labor Party is budgeting on $750 million of spending cuts and $400 million of metropolitan land sales to help pay for its election promises, and claims it will achieve a budget surplus of $205 million in 2019-20.

40under40: First Amongst Equals winner Jahna Cedar has built a career blending her business acumen and indigenous heritage.

Treasury costings of the Liberal Party’s campaign promises have shown the estimates to be reasonable, with the Liberal's plan showing the state getting back to a small surplus in 2019-20.

SPECIAL REPORT: Eight years after HiSeis was spun out from Curtin University, executive chairman Don Pridmore believes its use of seismic technology in mineral exploration is starting to gain traction.