Opinion

The planned resources super profits tax is highly complex but the underlying issues are simple.

FEDERAL Treasurer Wayne Swan made a lightning visit to Perth this week, in an attempt to placate resources sector fears the government’s proposed super profits tax would cost up to half a million jobs and cripple the industry.

This year’s federal poll could well determine the future of the Liberal Party.

Shale gas extraction is a game changer, both in terms of the energy sector and for its geopolitical implications.

The Resource Rent Tax may cost the federal government votes in WA, but that is a risk it seems prepared to take.

Expect to hear a lot more from miners about their social contribution in coming months.

It seems some profits are more ‘super’ than others.

The Rudd government has drifted to such an extent it is unclear what, if anything, it really stands for.

THE business of lobbying government is a tough one and none more so when representing a sector unloved by the politicians in power.

The proposed resources tax has an echo of past policy failures.

It took more than luck to get the ‘resource rich’ states where they are.

Property investors need to realise that widely quoted industry analysts employ very different techniques for measuring property values.

A new political party will put WA interests ahead of Canberra’s agenda.

Goldman Sachs’ troubles in the US throw up some interesting questions about advisers.

Workforce planning will fall short if employers are not engaged in developing their own workforce.

How do we best ensure a level playing field ... in business as well as sport?

The debate over tax reform has failed to pay regard to the increase in overall tax collections.

IT has been a huge week or so for those in the retirement savings business, with the federal government seeking to change the rules for investment advisers and then proposing to push the compulsory superannuation contribution to 12 per cent by the end of

There’ll always be soft targets for unethical businesses.

The government may have further inflamed the simmering debate over executive remuneration.

Kevin Rudd’s hospital plan has all the hallmarks of 1920s Labor policy.

The dumping of the state government’s most capable minister puts the onus onto the rest of Colin Barnett’s team.

It seems a lot of people are missing the point about tax.

Investors and business executives have been given a few sharp reminders in recent weeks about the risk of regulatory shocks.

TUG of war generally requires an equal balance of strength on either side to ensure the longevity of the game, but at various times in Australia’s history politicians have played the game of political push and pull with uneven strength on either end of th

Malcolm Turnbull has alwys had an obstinate streak.

Iluka Resources’ recent turnaround may be frustrating for Robert Champion de Crespigny.

Securing access to affordable, reliable and clean energy is a challenge Australia and the US share.

The Stern Hu trial shows who holds the whip hand.

Belief that boom times are back is leading some investors to take a punt.

The transfer of the petroleum sector’s tax model to the minerals sector could provide advantages to the mining industry, but without adaptation it would risk future investment.

A man who loves bancruptcies offers insight into how to make a business work.