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

Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Photo: Supplied. Inset: US President Donald Trump. Photo: White House.

Government 16 Jul 2025

Trump flags pharma tariff date

US President Donald Trump says tariffs on pharmaceutical products – one of Australia's largest exports to the US – will begin by the end of the month.

ACOB

Podcasts 15 Jul 2025

At Close of Business podcast July 15 2025

Elisha Newell and Sam Jones discuss why critical digital supply chain blind spots are leaving some of Australia's most important industries vulnerable.

Qantas Vanessa Hudson. Photo: AAPImage/Bianca De Marchi.

Technology, Innovation & Science 15 Jul 2025

Data breaches highlight supply chain weaknesses

Critical digital supply chain blind spots are leaving some of our most vital industries vulnerable, and several recent breaches show how far the impacts can be felt.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley at a press conference in Perth. Photo: Sam Jones. Inset pic: Anthony Albanese meets with President Xi Jinping. Photo: X/Anthony Albanese.

Government 15 Jul 2025

Ley: China ‘not respectful’ to Australia

Sussan Ley has urged Anthony Albanese to raise the detention of Australian writer Yang Jun and the presence of Chinese warships in Australian waters during his meeting with Xi Jinping.

ACOB

Podcasts 14 Jul 2025

At Close of Business podcast July 14 2025

Sam Jones and Ella Loneragan discuss recent gains and challenges within WA's public art sector.

WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas and Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Photo: Sam Jones.

Government 14 Jul 2025

Zempilas, Ley meet to discuss party problems

WA opposition leader Basil Zempilas met with Sussan Ley for the first time today, during Ms Ley's first visit to WA as the opposition leader.

Sussan Ley and Melissa Price in Perth. Photo: Sam Jones.

Government 14 Jul 2025

Ley stokes GST fears after leaked advice

Sussan Ley has urged the PM to reveal changes to tax policy after Treasury advice, which warned the goal to build 1.2 million homes would fail and that tax hikes were needed, was leaked.

Mark My Words.

Podcasts 11 Jul 2025

Mark My Words July 11 2025

Mark Pownall and Sam Jones discuss the latest rates decision; Mineral Resources; Nedlands council; Saracen's Gnarabup development; and BHP's fair work decision.

ASIC. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira

Regulation 11 Jul 2025

Court fines collapsed junk fund

A funeral fund which scammed thousands of dollars from vulnerable Indigenous people has been handed further fines, after it was found to be misrepresenting its Aboriginal-owned status.

The Kwinana battery-grade lithium hydroxide refinery. Photo: IGO

Infrastructure 10 Jul 2025

Primero chases Tianqi for payments

NRW subsidiary Primero Group is suing Tianqi Lithium Kwinana over outstanding payments in relation to works at its $1.2 billion lithium hydroxide refinery.

nathan

North-West 10 Jul 2025

Mindset shift brings Indigenous success

Members of a small community on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula are determined to do things their own way.

Main pic: Broome International Airport chief executive Craig Shaw. Photo: Michael O'Brien.

North-West 09 Jul 2025

Singapore setback won’t stop surging BIA

Despite recent turmoil with international routes, leadership at Broome International Airport believes it has a strong future.

C/Prof David Blacker (right) handing Prof Merrilee Needham (middle) a reflex hammer and Prof Frank Mastaglia (Prof Needham's mentor and clinic founder, left) in the Perron Institute clinic.

Technology, Innovation & Science 09 Jul 2025

Needham takes medico reigns at Perron

Neurology professor Merrilee Needham has been named the Perron Institute's new medical director, taking over from Professor David Blacker after he spent more than a decade in the role.

RBA governor Michele Bullock will address reporters over the decision.

Financial Services 08 Jul 2025

RBA leaves rates unchanged

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate unchanged at 3.85 per cent, shocking markets which predicted a 90 per cent chance of a 25 basis point cut.

ACOB

Podcasts 07 Jul 2025

At Close of Business podcast July 7 2025

Elisha Newell and Sam Jones discuss the recent edition of the Business News North West magazine.

Spinifex Alehouse was named new tourism business of the year at both state and national levels. Photo: KS Media

North-West 07 Jul 2025

Locals cheer brewery’s success

Community connection has played a major part in the success of Broome's newest entertainment venue.

Packer & Co founder Willy Packer

Financial Services 04 Jul 2025

Packer’s $2bn fund turns from US to Asia

Idiosyncratic Cottesloe fund manager Packer & Co has reduced its exposure to the US stock market and pivoted funds to Asia to offset the impacts of global trade tensions.

An artists impression of the Sanctuary Road development. Photo: Shire of Broome.

North-West 04 Jul 2025

No sanctuary from Broome housing crunch

The Shire of Broome has an ambitious $64 million proposal to solve its accommodation shortage, but funding issues mean the project has no clear timeline in sight.

Main pic: icetana AI chief executive Kevin Brown. Inset: SoftBank Robotics' NAO humanoid robot. Photo: Unsplashed/Erhan Astam.

Technology, Innovation & Science 04 Jul 2025

icetana shares soar following Japan deals

Shareholders in Laurence Escalante-backed surveillance company icetana AI have benefitted from a sixfold increase of the firm’s share price in a month, after it inked a deal with a Japanese t

Top inset: A fake Bunnings sign which caused a stir among Karratha residents in decemember. Lower inset: A mock-up of the Bunnings Warehouse Karratha.

Retail 03 Jul 2025

Bunnings bound for Karratha

Residents of WA's north-west will welcome news a Bunnings Warehouse has been proposed for Karratha.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong shake hands before a meeting at the State Department in Washington. Photo: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Government 02 Jul 2025

Wong: Rubio didn’t demand defence increase

Penny Wong says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio didn't press Australia on defence spending when the pair met overnight and expressed regret over the cancelled G7 meeting.

Photo: Jordan Murray.

Technology, Innovation & Science 02 Jul 2025

Qantas breach puts millions at risk

A group of American and British teens are believed to be behind a cyber breach of Qantas that has allegedly exposed the data of 6 million customers.In a statement this morning, the airline confi

Thunderbird. Photo: Sheffield Resources.

Mining 01 Jul 2025

Broken crane halts Thunderbird exports

Shipments from Kimberley Mineral Sands’ Thunderbird operation in the Kimberley have been downgraded for the quarter after another interruption halted operations.The miner’s parent co

Argenica managing director Liz Dallimore. Photo: David Henry.

Technology, Innovation & Science 30 Jun 2025

Perth pharma companies share in $12m

Three Perth pharmaceutical companies will take a share of a $12 million funding injection by the federal government to develop Australian-made heart disease and diabetes treatments.Announced by

HotCopper. Photo: Jack McGinn.

Advertising, Marketing & Communications 30 Jun 2025

Gumtree offloads HotCopper in $6.8m deal

Gumtree Australia Markets has confirmed the sale of stock market trading platform HotCopper as part of a deal with UK firm ADVFN worth $6.8 million.Perth-based Gumtree said in a statement today

Photo: Attila Czar | Business News

Financial Services 30 Jun 2025

ACCC wants Bupa to pay $35m

The ACCC will seek a court order for private health insurer Bupa to pay $35 million in fines after misleading members over coverage entitlements over a period of five years.

Photo: James Campbell

Technology, Innovation & Science 30 Jun 2025

Proteomics endo test gets first patent

A Perth-based medtech company has been granted its first patent over a test which it believes can slash the time it takes to diagnose endometriosis from seven years to just a few weeks.Proteomic

Main pic: A generic stem cell picture. Insets: Dr Marian Sturm and Harold Clough.

Technology, Innovation & Science 27 Jun 2025

NeuroScientific completes Isopogen acquisition

NeuroScientific has completed its acquisition of fellow Perth pharmaceuticals company Isopogen WA, which controls the patent for StemSmart technology, in a bid to boost its stem cell offerings.T

ASIC. Photo: Atilla

Financial Services 27 Jun 2025

Brite auditor cast aside

A Perth-based audit veteran of more than 20 years, who was tasked with auditing Brite Advisors, has surrendered his license after ASIC found he failed to adequately perform his role.

Ethical hacker and Cyber Node founder Matt Breuillac. Photo: Michelle Honiarta.

Technology, Innovation & Science 26 Jun 2025

WA firm hack highlights supply chain vulnerability

Cybersecurity experts are warning the recent hack of a WA-based engineering contractor highlights the vulnerabilities within resources and defence supply chains.

At Close of Business podcast.

Podcasts 20 Jun 2025

At Close of Business podcast June 20 2025

Nadia Budihardjo and Claire Tyrrell discuss the life and career of retiring Peet chief executive Brendan Gore.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells. Photo: AAP Image / Russell Freeman

Government 20 Jun 2025

Tech behind social media ban works, but some concerns

A preliminary report into the tech which will enforce the Albanese government's social media ban has found it is ‘robust', but warned of privacy and security concerns.

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