Mark Beyer

The business sector has cautiously welcomed an updated list of occupations eligible for skilled migrant visas, which covers more than 200 occupations.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss BHP expansion, EPA decisions, renewable projects, Rising Stars, and BN Awards.

Five years after joining Macquarie Group as its Western Australian chairman, Mark Barnaba is leaving to pursue a career as a non-executive director, with his first new role to be on the board of Australia's central bank.

Global demand for lithium is expected to increase by three to four times by 2025 and projected supplies will not keep up, Tianqi Lithium Australia general manager Phil Thick told a Mining Club lunch today.

Derby business Wattnow Electrical has learned how to overcome major challenges on its way to achieving significant growth over the past three years.

Fifty years after Ronald and Valerie Frank started a camera repair business from their home, their two sons oversee a fast-growing business that combines a new bricks-and-mortar store with an expanding online presence.

Fujitsu has committed to spend up to $17 million upgrading its Malaga data centre, where it is aiming to gain a competitive edge by securing the highest level of industry certification.

The McGowan government's shake-up of public sector agencies has triggered unexpected departures from key agencies, with road safety commissioner Kim Papalia resigning and three Tourism WA board members following chairman Peter Prendiville out the door.

The federal government's Clean Energy Finance Corporation has emerged as a surprise backer of Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora lithium mine, and has outlined a broad range of projects that may attract future support.

SPECIAL REPORT: Indigenous businesses across WA are pursuing opportunities across a range of areas from mining and agriculture, to hospitality.

SPECIAL REPORT: A joint venture between a major contractor in the Mid West and a traditional owner group has been many years in the making.

BHP has approved initial funding for its $3 billion-plus South Flank iron ore project in the Pilbara, and the company's top Australian executive said he wanted to hear from local suppliers who could add value to the development.

In this Business News podcast Dan Wilkie and Mark Beyer discuss the state budget, fees and charges, skilled migration, the outlook for Perth property, new mining projects, the roadhouse blues, and indigenous business.

A Supreme Court dispute between West Perth firm Quantum Credit and a City Beach developer has shone a light on business practices at the risky end of the property finance market.

Brierty announced today that its $300 million mining contract at Rio Tinto's Western Turner Syncline project, which was undertaken in partnership with three indigenous contractors, has been suspended.

Perth entrepreneur Craig Mitchell and property funds manager Angelo Del Borrello are facing off over the future of four large roadhouses in northern WA, with the outcome having a big bearing on investors who pumped $22.5 million into four related property trusts.

Australian Finance Group announced today its net profit for the current financial year would come in nearly 45 per cent higher than consensus forecasts, after a change in the way its treated certain commission income.

Norwood Systems, Fastbrick Robotics and Balconi Telecommunications were among the winners at this year's WAITTA INCITE awards for the ICT sector.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss resources contracts, unemployment, solar power, BHP, CEO sleepout and apartment developments.

Family business owners who enjoy their work and achieve good results are more likely to implement a succession plan, a long-term study of the sector has found.

Rooftop solar panels cut peak electricity demand last summer by 7 per cent and their growing popularity is reshaping consumption patterns, potentially at higher cost to electricity generators, a new report has found.

The WA Industrial Relations Commission has ruled that the state's minimum wage should increase by 2.3 per cent, one week after the Fair Work Commission lifted award rates applying nationally by 3.3 perc ent.

Norway-based investment bank Pareto Securities has completed its first major Australian deal, as sole manager of a $US100 million ($A133 million) bond issue announced today by Pilbara Minerals.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Italian contractor managing Perth's largest infrastructure project has outlined some of the hurdles it faces doing business in WA.

SPECIAL REPORT: Labor's victory in the March state election heralded a major shift in infrastructure priorities for Western Australia, and even further changes are likely as the McGowan government seeks to balance its promises with fiscal reality.

Local contractor Primero Group is set to win its third major contract on a mining project this year while RCR Tomlinson has geared up to supply Rio Tinto's new iron ore mine.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss the Access Economics report, mining development activity, WA's civil infrastructure projects …. and BN's new CEO.

Australian mining and exploration companies have been urged to target North American investors, with PCF Capital Group saying this strategy could bring $4 billion into the local industry.

Resources Minister Matt Canavan said today the exploration development incentive (EDI) scheme was unlikely to continue, despite telling the industry he had an open mind on its future, and labelled alternatives put forward by the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies as radical.

Sandalwood producer Quintis has revealed more operational and financial pain, with the embattled Perth company suspending plantation sales, lowering forecast product sales and admitting a $27 million investment would not proceed.

The directors of medicinal cannabis companies Creso Pharma and AusCann Group Holdings have reaped windfall gains worth $13 million after the vesting of performance rights and performance shares.

Cannings Purple, which is ranked as Western Australia's second largest public and investor relations firm, has bolstered its team by recruiting experienced business journalist Peter Klinger.