Sam Jones

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Sam Jones joined Business News in April 2024, covering tech, defence, innovation, cybersecurity, accountants, Asian engagement and federal politics.

Prior to joining Business News he spent five years living and working in WA's North West.

The first two years were spent in South Hedland covering a broad range of topics including local and state politics, small business, Aboriginal affairs, sports and human interest stories.

Mr Jones then moved to Broome, where he took the position of Northern Papers Editor for Seven West Media and was responsible for producing four weekly newspapers across the Pilbara and Kimberley.

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sam.jones@businessnews.com.au

Photo: Attila Csaszar

Government 19 hours ago

'Growing beyond its limit': Jobs figures spur rates fears

Economists say a surprise drop in next week's inflation data would be the only thing to stop a looming interest rate hike, after fresh jobs data showed the RBA's efforts to soften the economy have fallen short.

ACOB

Podcasts 1 day ago

At Close of Business podcast July 22 2026

Sam Jones speaks with Isabel Vieira about Business News' recent resources feature.

Photo: Kevin Horvat

Technology, Innovation & Science 1 day ago

Origin Energy investigating cyber incident

Power giant Origin Energy says it is investigating a security breach that may involve unauthorised access to customers' data.

Luca Giacovazzi (left), Cheryl Edwardes and David Southam joined a panel discussion moderated by Business News senior editor Mark Beyer. Photo: John Koh.

Mining 1 day ago

Tax shifts, port issues squeeze local mining

A tax overhaul and strikes in Port Hedland are combining to test the resilience of the state's resource sector.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 2 days ago

At Close of Business podcast July 21 2026

Ella Loneragan and Claire Tyrrell discuss the revamp of multiple heritage properties in Fremantle.

Linda Reynolds at the recent Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference. Photo: Michael O’Brien

Defence 2 days ago

Reynolds has questions for Aukus inquiry

Australia is already engaged in a conflict with China, former defence minister Linda Reynolds told the Aukus Public Inquiry in Fremantle recently.

Left: ETU's Adam Woodage. Right: Chamber of Minerals and Energy's Aaron Morey.

Mining 17 Jul 2026

Unions claim strike success despite low numbers

The Electrical Trades Union has declared the first strike action at BHP's Port Hedland operations a success, while the Chamber of Minerals and Energy says it proves the union is "out of step" with its members.

Podcasts 17 Jul 2026

Mark My Words July 17 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Sean Cowan, Jack McGinn, Isabel Vieira, Sam Jones and Claire Tyrrell to talk about the big events of the week in WA business and politics.

Graphic: Business News. Bill Gates photo: © European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Technology, Innovation & Science 17 Jul 2026

Did Bill and Twiggy quietly map a red dust digital empire?

Microsoft co-founder and tech billionaire Bill Gates quietly visited Western Australia earlier this year to scout hyperscale data centre opportunities in the Pilbara.

Perth Airport. Photo: Gabriel Oliviera.

Transport & Logistics 16 Jul 2026

Perth Airport bracing for industrial action

Perth Airport says it's aware of planned industrial action by members of the United Workers Union relating to ongoing pay disputes with a contractor.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 16 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 16 2026

Jack McGinn and Isabel Vieira discuss the mining companies leading the renewables push in the Goldfields.

Qantas. Photo: Jordan Murray.

Technology, Innovation & Science 16 Jul 2026

Qantas cleared of wrongdoing in cyber incident report

The final report into last year's Qantas hack, which affected approximately 5 million Australians, has found that there was nothing more Qantas could have done to prevent the incident.

Argenica managing director Liz Dallimore. Photo: David Henry.

Technology, Innovation & Science 16 Jul 2026

Argenica partner with Curtin for concussion study

Curtin University research has found Argenica's flagship stroke drug, which protects brain tissue from dying immediately after a stroke, can also significantly reduce the impacts of concussion.

Renders for the Silk Logistics site. Photo: Hesperia.

Property 16 Jul 2026

Hesperia expands Kewdale logistics hub

A logistics centre in Belmont's Kewdale industrial area has been approved after planners struck a late compromise on lot amalgamation, sustainability requirements and height controls.

Partnered Health's Morayfield health hub. Photo: Partnered Health.

Technology, Innovation & Science 16 Jul 2026

WA health clinics caught up in data breach

Patients from health clinics in Rockingham, Joondalup and Armadale may have had their data, including consultation notes, compromised as part of a cyber attack on Partnered Health.

Karratha. Photo: Tom Zaunmayr

Property 16 Jul 2026

Fleetwood in $20m Karratha village purchase

Fleetwood is set to become the largest FIFO accommodation provider in Karratha after agreeing to purchase the 2,169-bed Red Dog Village from Bechtel in a deal worth $20 million.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 15 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 15 2026

Sam Jones and Isabel Vieira discuss the bi-annual corporate finance feature.

David Riches.

Energy 15 Jul 2026

GenusPlus wins $55m Rio contract

GenusPlus Group will deliver a 220kV upgrade to Rio Tinto's Millstream substation after being awarded a $55 million master construction contract.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 14 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 14 2026

Gary Adshead and Sam Jones discuss leaked government documents revealing how much taxpayer money has been spent on attracting major events to WA.

Fabian Le Gay Brereton and Peter Tickler. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 14 Jul 2026

WA energy flexibility platform Gridcog raises $14m

A WA-founded firm developing software that can model the most effective use of energy assets has secured US$10 million ($14.4 million) in a Series A investment round to expand its software services globally.

ACOB

Podcasts 13 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 13 2026

Gary Adshead and Sam Jones discuss the recent moves in Premier Roger Cook's cabinet.

Photo: Kevin Horvat

Technology, Innovation & Science 13 Jul 2026

Lifeline confirms cyber incident exposed data

Lifeline Australia has confirmed that staff and volunteer information has been exposed in a cyber incident, but insists no help seeker information had been compromised in the breach.

William Buck managing partner Conley Manifis. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Professions 13 Jul 2026

William Buck acquires Equiti Partners

Accounting and advisory firm William Buck has expanded its WA footprint through the acquisition of Subiaco-based firm Equiti Partners.

Rumin8 chief executive David Messina said the feed conversion figures alone underscored the product value. Photo: Rumin8.

Technology, Innovation & Science 10 Jul 2026

American tests validate Rumin8 carbon credits

A Perth startup backed by Andrew Forrest and Bill Gates says tests across the Americas have validated its novel bovine feed's ability to reduce methane emissisons, increase the efficiency of feed, and produce carbon credits.

Podcasts 10 Jul 2026

Mark My Words July 10 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Gary Adshead, Sam Jones and Claire Tyrrell to discuss the big events of the week in WA business and politics.

A Helicopter Logisitics helicopter. Photo: Helicopter Logistics.

Contracts 10 Jul 2026

Helicopter firm wins $30m state contract

A Perth helicopter company, which once dropped a one-tonne ball made of rubber bands from a chopper to see if it would bounce, has been awarded a $30 million state government contract.

Photo: Kevin Horvat/Unsplashed.

Technology, Innovation & Science 10 Jul 2026

Russian cyber group attacks distributor

A notorious Russian cybercriminal group that recently shut down Australia's second-largest sugar producer for weeks has now targeted one of the nation's largest gourmet food distributors, which has a facility in Bassendean.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 09 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 9 2026

Jack McGinn and Isabel Vieira discuss the growth of Kalgoorlie company Topdrill.

The 5 Watts Place property. Photo: CBRE.

Property 09 Jul 2026

Bentley data centre sold for $13m

A data centre in Bentley's Technology Park, which houses Vocus infrastructure, has been sold to a London-based buyer for some $13 million.

Main pic: Paul Papalia. Inset: Labor's new candidate for Secret Harbour Georgia Tree.

Government 09 Jul 2026

Former Labor adviser runs for Papalia’s seat

WA Labor has selected a former federal adviser and current Woodside employee, Georgia Tree, as its candidate for the upcoming Secret Harbour by-election, following the retirement of Paul Papalia.

Richard Marles said the increased fines are an intentional lever to force telcos to invest properly in infrastructure maintenance.

Technology, Innovation & Science 09 Jul 2026

Marles confirms Telstra probe after outages

Richard Marles has warned telcos that a failure to meet obligations will come with heavy penalties, as Telstra faces a sweeping investigation into a network crash that locked Australians out of vital Triple Zero services.

ACOB

Podcasts 08 Jul 2026

At Close of Business podcast July 8 2026

Mark Beyer speaks to Sam Jones about the growth of in-house construction divisions.

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