Opinion

OPINION: Parents naturally want the best for their children, but increasingly forceful representations to, and demands of, teachers is a problem.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss markets drama, Cockburn harbour recommendation, Infrastructure Australia, shopping centres write down, planning law changes, Altrad, AFG, and our special report on major projects.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss markets volatility, trade surplus, HealthEngine, Michael Chaney, energy news, EY entrepreneur of the year awards, and our special report on the oil & gas industry.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall talk to business leader and company director Mark Barnaba about the economic outlook, the role of central banks and our relationship with China.

OPINION: Has the horse bolted in terms of the way Google and Facebook have changed mainstream media?

OPINION: Determining the ideal classroom size is arguably the number one topic on the long list of thorny education issues to have divided policymakers, academics, school leaders, teachers, parents and even students over the past 50 years.

OPINION: The failure of government and business to work together effectively in Chile provides a clear lesson for WA’s lithium players.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss the lithium slowdown, house prices, BGC brands, Rita Saffioti, Minderoo, gold and our special report on the arts sector.

OPINION: Several factors have converged to lift the price of gold in $A terms, but local events may yet play a part in how lucrative those returns are to WA producers.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Matt Mckenzie discuss hospitality sector challenges, regional hotel expansion, gold versus lithium, heritage issues in Peppy Grove, Pacific Energy, our special report on infrastructure, and our Great for the State feature on disruption.

OPINION: Paul Papalia’s task to increase local, national and international tourist numbers and spending remains a work in progress, but signs are positive.

OPINION: The most effective school leaders know how to work cooperatively with the members of their team, even welcoming dissent, to achieve optimal outcomes.

Austral Fisheries’ image and market point of difference are in good hands with David Carter at the helm.

OPINION: Incentives or government intervention might be needed to align the interests of the many joint venture partners in WA’s major LNG assets.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss big retail projects, unemployment statistics, apartment developments, iron ore production, tourism update, private school fees, Austral Fisheries, and our special report on regional aviation.

OPINION: Good journalism and a business model that supports it are vital for success in today’s media landscape.

OPINION: Now might be a good time for a walk down memory lane in terms of trade and business, particularly given the behaviour of some of the world’s major economies and political players.

PODCAST: Dan Wilkie and Matt Mckenzie discuss Manchester United, Gemmill Homes, BGC asset sales, office rents, Blue Cow Cheese, solar storage, apartment development.

OPINION: Having won an election and passed his tax plan, Scott Morrison must now deliver economic growth, while the Greens have a problem of their own.

OPINION: Long-term low interest rates could fundamentally alter the way the economy works, with significant social flow-on effects.

OPINION: A failure to take care of one’s own wellbeing will quickly blunt a leader’s capacity to do what’s best for others.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Berrington Care Group, house prices, lithium projects cost, new retail and hospitality ventures, Minderoo plans, lotto fallout, and our special report on corporate finance.

The fact that online retail still comprises a relatively small part of total sales is cold comfort to bricks-and-mortar businesses.

OPINION: The WA capital’s great natural environment has seemingly blinded its residents to the other aspects that make the city a great place to live.

PODCAST: Dan Wilkie and Matt Mckenzie discuss Blue Cow Cheese, hospitality insolvencies, Ribs & Burgers, Flinders Mines, Sandfire Mod takeover, Barminco, indigenous contracts, Rising Stars, and Great for the State.

OPINION: Liza Harvey hasn’t taken long to put her mark on the Liberal leadership in WA.

OPINION: WA has no control over the biggest issue facing its short-term economic outlook – the US-China trade war, which could cut demand for the state’s commodities.

OPINION: You need to lead a significant change program at your school and are already bracing for the resistant rants of some of your colleagues.

OPINION: For those who make a living selling a product or service, the value of building strong relationships cannot be overestimated.

PODCAST: Mark Pownall and Matt Mckenzie discuss new Liberal policies, Forrest property investments, Julie Bishop, state wages policy, Committee for Perth, supermarket battle, microgrids, and our special report on indigenous business.

Drone technology is becoming more visible in our skies, with a vast number of professional applications.

OPINION: Growing demands on school leaders have led to a lack of confidence among many, fuelling the onset of ‘impostor syndrome’ within school communities.