Government

There are signs of recovery in the local economy, with employment and sales activity numbers showing improved performance in June and a major report predicting further recovery next year.

Darren Foster has been formally confirmed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, making him arguably the state's most powerful public servant, in a move forshadowed by Business News in March.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has dismissed as "complete and utter waffle" Western Australian federal Labor MPs' submission to an inquiry into the GST.

Greens co-deputy leader Larissa Waters has resigned from the Senate after revealing she holds dual citizenship, just days after Scott Ludlam left federal parliament for the same reason.

Tokyo-based Inpex’s Ichthys LNG project will provide a $34 billion boost to incomes in Western Australia across the period to 2050, and generate about $73 billion of tax revenue, according to an economic impact report by Acil Allen Consulting released today.

OPINION: The ball is in Malcolm Turnbull’s court if the Liberals want to shore up seats in WA.

Greens senator Scott Ludlam is leaving federal parliament after finding out he was improperly elected more than a decade ago.

The state government has warned police the public expects them to do their job, as new industrial action started, including officers issuing cautions for minor offences instead of fines.

Sydney-based AGL made its long-awaited entry to the Perth gas market this week, with price cuts and a range of customer incentives underpinning the company’s offering as the sector’s newest player in the domestic gas sector.

End-of-financial-year specials failed to maintain May's positive tone on new car sales for Western Australia, with numbers for June down 5.5 per cent as the financial year ended with a whimper.

State opposition leader Mike Nahan expects former premier Colin Barnett to retire from politics this year but believes he first wants to ensure his legacy is not trashed.

The state government has awarded Geraldton-based social enterprise Pollinators $110,000 in grants to promote startup initiatives in the region.

The business sector has cautiously welcomed an updated list of occupations eligible for skilled migrant visas, which covers more than 200 occupations.

OPINION: The government is finding out the argument that ‘it’s the Liberals’ fault’ will only hold for so long.

Five years after joining Macquarie Group as its Western Australian chairman, Mark Barnaba is leaving to pursue a career as a non-executive director, with his first new role to be on the board of Australia’s central bank.

A quarterly review of the comings and goings of ASX-listed exploration companies by accounting and corporate advisory firm BDO has highlighted a broad recovery in the resources sector, with battery related commodities leading the way.

The City of Perth will increase its rates by 1.5 per cent and has allocated $60.4 million for capital works projects, according to its FY18 budget.

Diggers & Dealers chairman Nick Giorgetta says the forum has been assured by the state government that its August event in Kalgoorlie will go ahead, despite the venue’s sudden closure by the state.

The auditor general has reiterated his disappointment with state government agencies consistently not taking appropriate steps to protect and manage their IT systems despite the recent global malware attacks.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has rejected warnings the Liberals would face an electoral wipeout in Western Australia if the federal government doesn’t give the state more GST money.

The McGowan government’s shake-up of public sector agencies has triggered unexpected departures from key agencies, with road safety commissioner Kim Papalia resigning and three Tourism WA board members following chairman Peter Prendiville out the door.

Western Australia is home to the nation’s fastest-growing region for the second consecutive census, but this time it’s not in the north.

Western Australia’s population grew by just 0.7 per cent for the 12 months to December, after only 400 people migrated from overseas, while nearly 11,000 moved interstate.

ANALYSIS: The business sector’s view of the future and that of consumers are heading in different directions.

About 18,000 local businesses and key leaders have backed the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA’s GST reform submissions, which were put forward to the Productivity Commission today.

State Treasurer Ben Wyatt says the South Australian government's controversial bank levy is an attractive option and he'll watch with interest ahead of delivering his own budget in September.

The state government has lifted an array of fees and charges as it seeks to address its budget woes, with iron ore exporters in the Pilbara and electricity consumers facing the largest increases.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has not demonstrated any insight into her wrongdoing or indicated she won't fail to disclose gifts again, the State Administrative Tribunal has heard.

The state government has slashed the number of occupations on the skilled migration list from 178 to just 18 in a bid to promote more local jobs and prevent an oversupply of overseas workers.

OPINION: The formation of the Put Western Australia First Party has raised the stakes over tax reform, with the Liberals and Labor on notice that Senate seats may come under threat unless something tangible is done to resolve the GST impasse.

An unexpected surge in full-time employment has driven Australia's jobless rate to a four-year low, meaning a Reserve Bank interest rate cut is now off the table, economists say.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has admitted there are inaccuracies in her statement submitted to the State Administrative Tribunal, which is holding a hearing to determine her penalty for breaching local government laws.