Opinion

Too many shops! That is the awful reality for traditional retailers, and investors in retail-focused funds, because there is no hope of a sudden revival of shopping as we have known it.

Despite ongoing environmental and political upheaval around the world, there’s still reason for confidence.

A bizarre case of theft underscores the need for the state to outsource unnecessary work.

A review into the distribution of state grants is encouraging but it could end up like reviews of the mining tax and carbon tax.

Only a small crowd was on hand to hear an address by global warming sceptic David Evans in Perth recently.

There are plenty of political points available when talks about a new GST carve-up get under way.

Carmaker Hyundai is turning an accepted form of process management on its head in a major attack on costs and quality control.

"Doomed from the day it was conceived, and rightly so". They were the opening words used in this column five months ago about the proposed merger of the Australian and Singapore stock exchange - and they're worth repeating today.

Having enjoyed predominantly strong economic conditions for much of the past 20 years, it’s clear many of us just like to spend up.

Collaborations between business, government and the arts can ensure a legacy of universal access to the arts and artistic pursuits.

Voicing suspicion of Canberra’s intentions always plays out well in WA politics.

A new report on domestic gas prices suggests there are no easy answers on energy policy.

Disillusioned with the organisation he helped found, Patrick Moore is now a vocal opponent of much of the work done by Greenpeace.

Tipping the gold price, and the future price of gold stocks, is a mug's game, unless a clear value gap can be demonstrated - which is what appears to have been done in a rather interesting piece of recent research.

Colin Barnett didn’t win any friends at a rally over the issue of local content on resources projects.

It’s best to steer clear of businesses that don’t have profit as their primary motive for existing.

The tax office has become more active in the area of corporate compliance during the past year.

WA's iron ore ports have long valued the idea of being closer to their customers.

Delivery of WA’s economic and social infrastructure comes in many forms, which is a good way to evaluate different contracting options.

The PM’s recent address to the US Congress said a lot about Australia’s expectations for its relationship with China.

Most Australians have never heard of Dutch Disease, but they will soon because it is the financial phenomena playing a key role in killing resource sector construction jobs.

Colin Barnett has warned of problems for future development if WA can’t get a better funding deal from the Commonwealth.

The market’s response to the planned carbon tax has been instructive.

Newly released data highlight the sharp decline in the WA residential property market in the past 12 months.

Our close relationship with the Japanese could be mutually beneficial at this time.

Getting politicians to understand business issues is hard work; getting them to take action is even harder.

The energy sector is not included among the federal government’s constitutional responsibilities; so why is it interfering?

Buy when others are fearful. That piece of advice made Warren Buffett one of the world's richest people, and it could make a fortune for anyone prepared to plunge into massively discounted Australian uranium stocks.

Asset correlation has already produced some unintended consequences – and there will be more.

WA should hasten down the path taken by New Zealand and free-up its taxi industry.

Planning ahead is one thing, making sure everyone knows about it is another.

The state government is to be commended for preparing an energy strategy but the hard work lies ahead.