Mark Beyer

The Labor Party moved swiftly today to reassure the business sector that it would not hand over responsibility for project approvals to an independent tribunal, after reports it was considering such a change.

The Barnett government is hoping to slash its spending on information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure by up to 25 per cent after signing contracts today with three international vendors.

Perth-based mining technology firm MiPlan has been bought by US company Hexagon Mining, six years after it was established by Robert and Louise Daw with backing from three local venture capital investors.

Sparke Helmore Lawyers will become the 12th largest law firm in Western Australia, according to the BNiQ Seach Engine, after announcing today it has finalised merger plans with local practice Jarman McKenna.

The state government has approved Canadian miner Cameco's proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine in the Goldfields, despite its failure to meet one of nine Environmental Protection Authority recommendations.

SPECIAL REPORT: Nearly 70 WA-connected companies listed on the ASX in 2016, but current prospects indicate there will be substantially fewer this year.

SPECIAL REPORT: There was a big rise in the number and value of completed capital raisings in WA last year, according to data compiled in the BNiQ Search Engine.

SPECIAL REPORT: Investment bank Gresham Partners and law firm King & Wood Mallesons were the top advisers on mergers and acquisitions in WA in 2016.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss South West water, building subcontractors, WA Business awards and the deals environment.

The Australian share market closed weaker today, with nickel miners Western Areas and Independence Group leading the fall after Indonesia relaxed export restrictions on the commodity.

Burswood-based company Western Work Force is set to emerge from administration in highly unusual circumstances, with its largest creditor opposed to its recapitalisation, its founder and major shareholder in police custody, but its core business continuing to grow.

The state government has committed $37 million to an ambitious desalination and irrigation project in the South West that is led by Perth business executive Peter Fogarty and will cost an estimated $380 million.

Stockbroker and funds manager Euroz has foreshadowed a strongly improved interim profit, driven mainly by the performance of Euroz Securities and the increased share prices of its listed investment companies.

In 40 years' time, when people look back at the recent crop of winners of the Western Australian of the Year business awards, how will they be remembered relative to the early winners like Ralph Sarich, Sir Laurence Brodie-Hall and Michael Edgley?

In this Business News podcast, Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss Roe 8, house prices, Libor scandal, Atlas Iron and WA's education market.

The tail end of the tech stock listing boom will continue tomorrow when two companies start trading on the ASX, with one completing its IPO nearly three years after it first announced listing plans and the other completing an RTO in a relatively efficient five months.

US-based transport group Watco Companies is seeking further acquisitions and growth opportunities in Western Australia, after buying a majority shareholding in Intermodal Group and winning a contra

The state government has suspended the Shire of Exmouth for six months following an investigation and public hearing by the Corruption and Crime Commission.

The last 10 days of 2016 were a busy period for WA corporate deals, with the Rae family attracting a bumper price for its Gull New Zealand business, Chinese group MMG selling the Golden Grove mine, Diploma Group going into receivership and seven new listings on the ASX.

Training provider Open Colleges has joined Bethanie, NBN Company and Vocus Communications in signing up this year for space at Workzone Building A, which is now fully leased.

From a modest industrial building in Willetton, newly rebadged investment company Diverseco has built a substantial national business through a series of targeted acquisitions.

The state government is targeting transport and occupational licences as the first comprehensive set of services to be offered through a new web site that it hopes will eventually become a single portal for accessing all services.

SPECIAL REPORT: Many politicians, including senior government ministers, go through their careers as ‘grey' men or women, barely getting noticed and having little impact; the same could never be said of Brendon Grylls.

The competition watchdog said today it planned to deny authorisation to a proposed partnership between Virgin Australia Holdings and Alliance Aviation Services because it would lessen competition in the West Australian market.

SPECIAL REPORT: The 2016 Business News person of the year talks about his upbringing, influences, company culture, cost cutting and innovation.

Fortescue Metals Group said today its proposed joint venture with larger Brazilian miner Vale, for blending their iron ore at key Chinese ports, could fall over.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Beyer and Dan Wilkie discuss residential property outlook, Monadelphous and Civmec diversify, Nev Power, Adrian Fini and Brendon Grylls are our people of the yea

Mining and civil contractor MACA has diversified through the purchase of a 60 per cent stake in Maddington-based Interquip for $8 million.

Two days after some of Emeco Holdings' large creditors blocked a major restructuring, they have reversed their stance after being given an opportunity to acquire more equity in the group.

Bhagwan Marine has been awarded a contract to supply marine vessels and crew to support construction on Rio Tinto's Amrun bauxite project in north Queensland.

The planned three-way merger between Perth-based Emeco Holdings and east coast companies Orionstone and Andy's Earthmovers will not proceed as planned after the deal failed to win sufficient backing from creditors.

In a rare move for the pro-mining Barnett government, environment minister Albert Jacob has sided with the Environmental Protection Authority and rejected appeals by Canadian company Cameco over its proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine in the Goldfields.