Mark Beyer

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss newspapers merger, law firms growth, tourism down south and what’s happening in the gold sector.

Indigenous corporations in Western Australia have experienced a fall in average income for the first time in five years, though the state’s largest Aboriginal corporations, listed in the BNiQ Search Engine, have defied the downturn.

West Perth-based NWQ Capital Management has beaten off competition from rivals in Sydney and Melbourne to be named Australia’s best hedge fund investor.

Shares in HotCopper Holdings got off to a bright start today after the investor chat forum listed on the ASX, with the stock closing up at 26.5 cents.

Downer has announced major contract wins at the Boddington gold mine and Karara Mining, with the latter signalling that the loss-making iron ore project is likely to continue operating.

Rio Tinto has signed a five-year maintenance services and support agreement for its locomotive network in the Pilbara with global company GE.

Contractors Doug Grewar and John Silverthorne are planning to develop the Brightstar gold project near Laverton, after their private company signed an agreement with project owner Stone Resources A

Mineral exploration companies Explaurum and Black Rock Mining have completed capital raisings totalling $10.5 million to advance their gold and graphite projects respectively.

National law firm Mills Oakley has substantially expanded its Perth practice with the recruitment of partners Julian Atkinson and David McKenna, whose previous firm Jarman McKenna has entered merger discussions with Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

Perth entrepreneur Mark Lapins is aiming to defy waning investor interest in tech startups, announcing plans for a backdoor listing that values his ‘internet of things’ firm, Quantify Technology, at $22 million.

Six years after buying into Bibra Lake-based InterGrain, agricultural biotech company Monsanto has decided to sell its 26 per cent stake in the government-backed grain breeding company.

SPECIAL REPORT: New research and software products are aiming to further reduce workplace fatality rates.

The $529 million Ord-East Kimberley expansion project cost more and took substantially longer than originally expected, has not delivered the expected benefits, and left the region with an unclear pathway for future development, auditor general Colin Murphy has found.

Perth-based contractor Linkforce Engineering is aiming to gain a competitive edge through a successful partnership with maths specialists at Curtin University.

A group of Perth executives led by lawyer Damien Criddle and former Woodside Petroleum director Rob Cole is due to launch the world’s first trading platform for liquefied natural gas next month.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss lithium, board changes, Gage Roads, workplace wellness and safety.

Hong Kong-based Brockman Mining has continued its run of legal victories in its efforts to gain access to Fortescue Metals Group’s rail infrastructure.

Colin Barnett has described moves by prominent Western Australian business figures to commission an opinion poll that reflected poorly on his leadership as being akin to a silent coup.

Northern Star Resources has announced a major board restructure that includes the recruitment of two new directors and, in an unusual move that is at odds with corporate governance guidelines, the promotion of managing director Bill Beament to executive chairman.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss state political dramas, profit season, charity bike rides, entrepreneurs and retail property.

WA hosted 20 major charity bike rides during the past year, collectively raising about $10 million, but the numbers are set to fall.

Corporate law firm Gilbert + Tobin has continued its counter-cyclical growth drive, recruiting former Macquarie Capital executive Justin Mannolini as its third new partner this year.

The latest winners in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards have illustrated the diverse potential of the state’s economy by developing value-adding businesses in sectors including education, oil and gas, agriculture, and construction.

A Federal Court ruling that was the first ever assessment of native title compensation in Australia is expected to lead to more claims by Aboriginal groups.

Waste management company Tox Free Solutions has lifted its dividend payout after releasing a mixed set of annual results that included weak earnings from its Western Australian and Queensland operations, but solid growth elsewhere on the east coast.

Rio Tinto has announced the 50th anniversary of its first contracted iron ore shipment from the Pilbara, as debate continues around the adequacy of its royalty payments and the legacy for indigenous people in the region.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Alannah Mactiernan, Richard Sellers, what’s behind our resources company results, Perth’s liveability and our changing power and energy markets.

Padbury Mining directors Gary Stokes and Terry Quinn have each been fined $25,000 and banned from being company directors for three years after the Federal Court found their announcement of a $6 billion funding deal for the Oakajee port and rail project was misleading and deceptive.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Brendon Grylls, Ritz-Carlton sale, women directors, digital disruption and small business.

Automotive Holdings Group has announced an unusual 12-month leadership transition under which current managing director, Bronte Howson, will become special counsel, while also getting a special cash payout and potentially early vesting of long-term performance rights.

Perth universities have called for the completion of a clear and comprehensive strategy targeting international students before they would contribute more money to joint marketing of the city as a study destination.

A recently opened research and innovation centre at Curtin University is rapidly building interaction between big corporates, small businesses, academia and government.