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

Laurence Escalante. Photo: Nadia Budihardjo.

Technology, Innovation & Science 12 hours ago

Escalante resigns from VGW

VGW has announced chief executive and founder, Laurence Escalante, will step down from his role, effective immediately.

Photo: Perth Airport.

Energy 17 hours ago

Perth Airport partners with AGL for 4.5MW solar farm

AGL has been appointed to design and install a 4.5-megawatt solar farm at Perth Airport, as part of the airport's push to achieve net zero by 2032.

Australia's competition watchdog will take a merger between Italian subsea services company Saipem and Norwegian rival Subsea 7 to a phase-two review. Photo: Saipem.

Regulation 18 hours ago

ACCC to examine subsea firms' merger

Australia's competition watchdog will take a merger between two subsea services rivals to a phase-two review after finding the move could significantly impact competition in the market.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 1 day ago

At Close of Business podcast July 2 2026

Nadia Budihardjo and Tom Zaunmayr discuss the $81m Kwinana wastewater plant.

Qoria co-founder and managing director Tim Levy.

Education 1 day ago

Qoria shareholders back $1.7b Aura merger

Shareholders of Qoria Limited, the ASX-listed school cybersecurity software company founded in Perth, have backed a US firm's billion-dollar takeover of the company.

IMG managing director Dennison Hambling. Photo: IMG.

Technology, Innovation & Science 1 day ago

IMG to acquire UK security firm for $346m

East Perth-based security firm Intelligent Monitoring Group will acquire one of the UK's largest residential security companies in a deal worth over $340 million.

Jemma Newton will replace Fiona Drummond as EY's Perth managing partner. Photo: Supplied.

Financial Services 2 days ago

Newton to replace Drummond at EY helm

Jemma Newton will take the reins at WA's second-largest professional services firm, replacing outgoing managing partner Fiona Drummond at the helm of EY.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 30 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 30 2026

Nadia Budihardjo and Mark Pownall discuss angst among wine producers with impending container-for-change amendments.

BHP Iron Ore president Tim Day

Property 30 Jun 2026

BHP pumps $45m into remote housing

Mining giant BHP has committed $45 million to build new properties and convert vacant company-owned properties into affordable accommodation for essential workers in the East Pilbara.

Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence 29 Jun 2026

Reynolds: 'We're already at war with China'

Linda Reynolds has clapped back at suggestions the Aukus agreement would draw Australia into a war with China, instead insisting Australia had been at war with our largest trading partner for the better part of a decade.

At Close of Business

Podcasts 22 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 22 2026

Sam Jones and Tom Zaunmayr talk about the recent Indigenous Business publication.

Bill Johnston.

Government 19 Jun 2026

Johnston named FLCWA chair

WA Labor stalwart Bill Johnston will helm the Freight and Logistics Council WA, taking the role from Megan McCracken after she spent four years in the job.

Dean Nalder has been appointed chair of AVESS Energy.

Energy 19 Jun 2026

Nalder joins AVESS Energy

Former Finance Minister Dean Nalder will helm vanadium battery company AVESS Energy, a move timed just as the company prepares a bid for one of the world's largest vanadium battery projects.

Roger Cook (middle) with Paul Papalia and Caitlin Collins to announce the defence forge. Photo: Michael O’Brien

Defence 19 Jun 2026

Forging a path in munitions

The state government is moving to grow WA's military manufacturing base.

ACOB

Podcasts 17 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 17 2026

Sam Jones and Nadia Budihardjo discuss the Asian engagement feature in the recent Business News magazine.

Resources Minister Madeleine King used a visit to Perth to reaffirmed her support for strike action at BHP's Port Hedland operations.

Mining 17 Jun 2026

King doubles down on BHP strike support

Resources Minister Madeleine King used an apperance in Perth to reaffirm her support for strike action at BHP's Port Hedland operations, which could cost the miner up to $120 million per day.

Kate O’Shaughnessy (left), Samir Saran, Dino Patti Djalal, Finnish ambassador Arto Haapea and ADF joint-operations commander Vice Admiral Justin Jones. Photo: IODS

Special Reports 17 Jun 2026

Trade and data risks from subsea threat

There are calls for creation of a middle-power coalition to secure the Indo-Pacific subsea data lines.

Hiroko Sato issued a frank assessment of what it'll take for Australia to build Mogami-class frigates. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Special Reports 17 Jun 2026

Translating Japanese IP to WA builds

Synchronising WA shipyards with Japanese technology is a fresh test of capability for the local sector.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 16 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 16 2026

Sam Jones and Tom Zaunmayr discuss today's RBA rates call.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Government 16 Jun 2026

'We'll raise rates again if we need to': Bullock

RBA governor Michele Bullock says the central bank's board will not hesitate to raise the cash rate again if needed, after resolving to hold the rate at 4.35 per cent following three consecutive rate rises.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers (left) and RBA Governor Michele Bullock (right).

Government 16 Jun 2026

RBA holds rates

Australia's central bank has voted to keep the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent at its June meeting, breaking a run of three consecutive rate rises.

Photo: Julio Lopez/Pexels

Technology, Innovation & Science 15 Jun 2026

AMC rebukes ransomware claim

The Australian Medical Council says claims made online it had been hit by ransomware and that member data had been stolen are false.

Gina Rinehart with Elon Musk. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 15 Jun 2026

Hancock backs SpaceX IPO

Mining giant Hancock Prospecting has invested over $1 billion in SpaceX as part of its blockbuster IPO, which officially debuted on the Nasdaq this week as the largest capital raise in history.

Technology, Innovation & Science 15 Jun 2026

Vocus quadruples Perth data link for AI demand

In a move to keep up with surging AI demand, communications giant Vocus has quadrupled the capacity of its Perth to Adelaide optical fibre route—all without digging a single ditch.

ACOB

Podcasts 12 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 12 2026

Sam Jones and Nadia Budihardjo discuss the latest on BHP workers' strike in Port Hedland.

Sea Swift's Newcastle Bay II vessel. Photo: Sea Swift.

Transport & Logistics 12 Jun 2026

Sea Swift amends contracts after ACCC action

Shipping company Sea Swift will amended exclusive contracts across northern Australia after being targeted by the ACCC for anti-competitive conduct impacting First Nations communities.

US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP and (now former) UK Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey arriving for an AUKUS Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Singapore. Photo: Defence images.

Defence 12 Jun 2026

US Navy heads to Henderson as UK minister quits

The US has confirmed it will commence support activities, including stationing personnel at HMAS Stirling, later this year, as the full launch of SRF-West nears.

ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Mining 12 Jun 2026

'Going to learn the hard way': ETU WA chief to BHP

The ETU WA has accused BHP of importing “American Amazon-style tactics" into WA, warning the mining giant its lucrative Pilbara exports will grind to a halt if refuses to engage on wage disparities.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 11 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 11 2026

Mark Pownall and Justin Fris discuss international consultancy Gerard Daniels and the Perth-based firm's 40 years of operation.

SeaStock founder Tom Puddy. Photo: Supplied.

Technology, Innovation & Science 11 Jun 2026

SeaStock granted aquaculture licence

Fremantle-based SeaStock has been granted an aquaculture licence to establish WA's first commercial scale, land-based seaweed production facility in Oakford.

Argenica managing director Liz Dallimore. Photo: David Henry.

Health 11 Jun 2026

Argenica confident FDA hurdles cleared

Perth neurological drug developer Argenica Therapeutics says it has addressed several hurdles which led the US FDA to knock back clinical trials of its flagship ARG-007 stroke drug.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Gareth Evans speaks during the nationwide hearings into the AUKUS submarine project at the Victorian Trades Hall in Melbourne, Thursday, June 11, 2026 (AAP Image/Con Chronis)

Defence 11 Jun 2026

Australia a 'compliant cash cow': Evans

Former Foreign Affair Minister Gareth Evans has labelled the Aukus agreement the "worst defence and foreign policy decision" Australia has ever made during an independent review into the trilateral relationship.

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