Government

This year’s Most Influential feature has been narrowed down to the 50 people in WA making the biggest impact in business and politics.

OPINION: State Labor’s hold on several regional seats could be in jeopardy with the impending retirement of some stalwarts and tough electoral fights for others.

As recently as a fortnight ago, industry leaders and government officials were urging caution as the novel coronavirus swept through China, with representatives from Western Australia’s tourism and education sectors confident the state was prepared to manage any possible fallout.

Australia’s economy could go backwards in the March quarter, although a recession is unlikely, one of Australia’s top economists has warned.

Tourism is the canary in the coalmine ahead of the global economic hit expected as China slows while dealing with the coronavirus.

OPINION: Western Australia’s lithium boom, which ran out of steam last year, will not be returning soon given the nationwide slowdown in China as it battles to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

The Yamatji Indigenous community has celebrated a landmark economic package and native title recognition for more than 100,000 hectares of land in Western Australia’s Mid West.

Four of Perth’s most notable business leaders offered their thoughts on how corporations can have a positive impact on the Western Australian community this afternoon, as Business News celebrated its ’Great for the State’ series ahead of the first edition for 2020.

City officials and service providers say helping Perth’s homeless requires more investment from federal and state governments.

OPINION: The public sector workforce is growing again, having been cut to streamline state expenditure amid the McGowan government’s budget repair efforts.

Nationals MPs Keith Pitt and Darren Chester have been elevated to federal cabinet in a ministerial reshuffle.

Rio Tinto and Telstra have announced shorter payment terms for small and medium Australian businesses, whereby SMEs will be paid within 20 days of a valid invoice receipt.

There are concerns the share market’s strength doesn’t accurately reflect the nation’s economic performance, or outlook.

OPINION: Australia’s natural environment requires us to return to more effective strategies to minimise fire risk.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has repelled a leadership challenge from Barnaby Joyce, emerging victorious in a party room ballot this morning, while Adam Bandt has been elected unopposed as Greens leader following the resignation of Richard Di Natale.

Representatives from Western Australia’s education and tourism sectors have expressed cautious optimism the state’s institutions are well placed to ride out the effects of the current novel coronavirus outbreak, as the state government pledges $2.9 million in extra funding to aid in combatting the impact it will have on WA's tourism sector.

The City of Perth will hold elections on October 17, Local Government Minister David Templeman announced today, following the council’s dissolution.

SPECIAL REPORT: Bushfires on Australia’s east coast will put pressure on emissions policy at a time when decisions are being made on major projects needed to boost the economy in the west.

SPECIAL REPORT: A hiatus in the US-China trade war and an improved economic outlook gives WA leaders an opportunity to look at longer-term challenges such as climate change and technological disruption.

Rio Tinto has scrapped a practice that allowed it to discount payments to small business suppliers, two weeks after the state government forced the Water Corporation to make a similar change.

Western Australia’s unique indigenous rock art in the Pilbara is set for a UNESCO World Heritage listing, with the state and federal governments formally submitting an application for the recognition and protection today.

OPINION: Emerging countries will need to be brought into the tent if a global reduction in carbon emissions is to be achieved.

A ban on using mobile phones during school hours will start for all public school students in Western Australia and Victoria.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt says the latest data from Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA showed positive signs for the Western Australian economy, despite CCIWA arguing for reforms to boost business and housing investment.

More local councils are expected to get $1 million federal government grants as the scale of bushfire damage comes to light.

The Morrison government has announced a suite of measures to immediately support small businesses, non-profit organisations and tourism businesses affected by Australia's bushfires.

Moves to scrap the use of carryover carbon emissions credits from the Kyoto Protocol could significantly increase the cost of Australia meeting its Paris Agreement target.

OPINION: From its own experience, Business News can declare the state government’s Market Led Proposals policy is a let-down.

Nine WA-linked resources businesses are ranked among the country’s top 20 corporate taxpayers, despite a widespread perception the industry does not pay its way.

OPINION: Mark McGowan and his Labor government are sitting pretty entering the final quarter of their first four-year term, with no obvious domestic issues likely to destabilise their approach to the next election in March 2021.

Western Australia’s first refund point operators for the federal government’s container deposit scheme have been chosen, with 145 refund locations made available in the state.

Charities will get more government funding to hand out food vouchers, financial counselling and help with basics in bushfire-affected communities.