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

ACOB

Podcasts 1 day ago

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 1 day ago

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 1 day ago

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 1 day ago

'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 2 days ago

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 2 days ago

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 2 days ago

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 2 days ago

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.

Northern Star chair Michael Chaney says the board does not agree with Elliott's assessment that a business sale was needed.

Mining 10 Jun 2026

Chaney rebukes Elliott's Northern Star sale suggestion

Northern Star chair Michael Chaney says comments made by Florida-based Elliott Investment Management have merit, but that he disagreed with suggestions the board should consider a business sale.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 09 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 9 2026

Ella Loneragan and Jack McGinn discuss Holyoake and its chief executive Ben Smith.

ASIC.

Regulation 09 Jun 2026

Duffy 'not fit' to practice, says ASIC

A former Brite advisor has been permanently banned from providing financial services after the sector regulator found he failed to disclose a conflict and indicated a "lack of integrity and honesty".

Early works for the surgical centre are expected to begin this year. Photo: East Metropolitan Health Service

Infrastructure 09 Jun 2026

Georgiou wins $67m Bentley hospital works

Georgiou Group has been selected to deliver a $67 million, 24-bed secure extended care unit at Bentley Hospital, as the state releases another $167 million worth of contracts.

HMAS Dechaineux and HMAS Farncomb transit Port Phillip Bay after exercises on the east coast. Photo: LSIS James McDougall.

Defence 09 Jun 2026

Aukus spend comes with costs

A close read of the recent budget suggests all is not what it seems in terms of defence sector funding.

Perth airport mockup.

Infrastructure 05 Jun 2026

Perth Airport selects DXC for tech system delivery

Perth Airport has selected Virginia-based DXC Technology to helm the implementation of tech in the airport's new terminals, scheduled to open in 2031.

Mark My Words podcast.

Podcasts 05 Jun 2026

Mark My Words June 5 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Sean Cowan, Sam Jones and Ella Loneragan to discuss BHP's $160m investment; the West Coast Eagles; tax changes; and property projects including Fast Eddys.

Civmec.

Contracts 05 Jun 2026

Civmec order book hits record $1.5b

An extension of Civmec's contract with Iluka Resources at the Eneabba Rare Earths refinery has boosted the company's order book to a record $1.5 billion.

Photo: EG Australia.

Oil & Gas 03 Jun 2026

Ampol's $1.1b EG acquisition approved

Ampol will have to sell 41 petrol stations to Metro Petroleum as a condition of the ACCC's approval of its $1.1 billion acquisition of EG Australia and its over 500 sites.

A modular DXN Edge Data Centre. Credit: DXN.

Technology, Innovation & Science 03 Jun 2026

DXN deal could pave way for $200m data centre sales

Modular data centre specialist DXN Limited, which manufactures in Welshpool, has inked an $8.8 million deal with a US neo cloud operator which could lead to over $US200 million in orders.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 02 Jun 2026

At Close of Business podcast June 2 2026

Nadia Budihardjo and Claire Tyrrell discuss the growth in Perth's build-to-rent sector.

Vection managing director Gianmarco Biagi. Photo: Vection Technologies Limited.

Technology, Innovation & Science 02 Jun 2026

EU accessibility act paves way for Vection

Perth-based Vection Technologies says changes to accessibility laws in the European Union have buoyed growth in sales of its innovative kiosk platform, as it announced a new $3.3m deal.

Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Government 02 Jun 2026

Data centres, mining deliver decade's first trade deficit

An uptick in data centre investment and a cooling of mining exports has delivered Australia's first trade deficit in almost a decade.

Musician and former Labor Minister Peter Garrett at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Defence 02 Jun 2026

Midnight Oil frontman launches Aukus review

Midnight Oil frontman and former Environment minister Peter Garrett will be joined by WA's first female premier to conduct an independent, crowd-funded review of the Aukus deal.

Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson giving a keynote speech at the Business News event. Photo: John Koh.

Energy 29 May 2026

Sanderson rejects calls over delayed energy system plan

Amber-Jade Sanderson has rejected suggestions WA's energy producers are waiting for the state government's whole of system plan to give confidence to long-term investments.

Mark My Words podcast.

Podcasts 29 May 2026

Mark My Words May 29 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Sean Cowan, Sam Jones, and Claire Tyrrell to discuss leadership moves and tax concerns in mining; defence; start-up news; and major property deals.

At Close of Business.

Podcasts 28 May 2026

At Close of Business podcast May 28 2026

Ella Loneragan and Isabel Vieira discuss the under-representation of female leaders in public companies.

Australia's first female astronaut and Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg at IODS. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence 27 May 2026

Australian missions to ISS on the cards

Australia is edging closer to sending one of its own astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time, in what would mark a historic step for the nation's space ambitions.

Photo: Aurora Labs is focusing on creating propulsion systems for unmanned aerial systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. Photos: Aurora Labs Limited.

Defence 27 May 2026

Aurora inks three-year propulsion development deal

Perth 3D-printed propulsion system developer Aurora Labs Limited has inked a three-year deal with a joint venture comprising some of the world's largest defence companies.

Hyperion Systems founder Joshua Wigley (left) with Greenroom Robotics co-founder Harry Hubbert at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security event in Perth. Photo: Supplied/Hyperion.

Defence 26 May 2026

Hyperion unveils southern hemisphere's first 3D-printed USV

The southern hemisphere's first 3D-printed unmanned surface vehicle, manufactured in WA, has been unveiled.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

Defence 26 May 2026

Navy chief's warning over sea lanes, submarine politicisation

The head of Australia's Navy, who will soon lead Australia's defence force more broadly, says access to global sea lanes has become an existential crisis for the nation.

Elizabeth Gaines. Photo: Matt Jelonek.

Mining 25 May 2026

Gaines to exit Fortescue

Mining heavyweight Fortescue has confirmed former chief executive and current executive director Elizabeth Gaines will step down from her duties.

Defence 22 May 2026

Sorting WA’s both-ways strategy

OPINION: The stakes could not be higher as top brass from Australia and the UK meet in Perth this month.

Mark My Words podcast.

Podcasts 22 May 2026

Mark My Words May 22 2026

Mark Pownall is joined by Tom Zaunmayr, Ella Loneragan and Sam Jones to discuss fracking in the Kimberley; the City of Perth; MinRes' lithium; property news; startups and more.

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