Opinion

India looms as a possible economic saviour for Australia as Chinese growth plateaus.

Whispers of tax reform are once again being heard, with the white paper expected later this year causing a flurry of anticipation over what changes might be forthcoming. Will they be innovative, exciting even? Or will they fail to impress?

Western Australian farmers are projected to enjoy the highest rate of return in the nation, excluding capital appreciation, for 2014-15, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.

While acknowledging the issue of patient safety, Labor’s attack on delays at Fiona Stanley Hospital are equally concerned with the privatisation of services.

You don’t need to listen too closely to hear the pips squeaking in Western Australia’s iron ore lemon after a week-long debate about the state’s most important industry, which appears to be heading for a crisis that will hit companies and governments in equal measure.

There was a healthy 26 per cent rebound in reported sales activity last week which has taken volumes back to mid-February levels.

Neither the premier nor his minister ever provided evidence to support their council amalgamation plan.

Bob de la Motte’s life story makes for interesting reading, for those familiar with his work at the heart of Perth’s financial world and as a historical and socio-political snapshot told through sport.

Getting out there and meeting people is still the best way to grow your professional network, and your sales.

WA has achieved a balanced position on privatisation of public assets, but the anti-sale voices are getting louder, unfortunately.

Tensions between WA’s major iron ore producers and their smaller competitors will be on show at a major conference this week.

Not every economist buys the theory that that deflation leads to deferment of consumption, and is inherently a ‘bad thing’.

The annual cost to small business owners of complying with the GST is upwards of $13 billion, according to a recent survey, adding to calls for the federal government to address business taxation in its tax review white paper this year.

The treasurer wants to get the government’s costs under control and repair the budget without hurting voters.

It is a long time since Western Australia had its own finance industry and while shadow banking, the hottest game in the money world, could be just another fad that fades as quickly as it has grown, there is the potential for home-grown finance to make a return to Perth.

Not unexpectedly due to the long weekend, there was a 13% fall in reported activity with house and multi-residential sales down 14% and 19% respectively.

Australia needs a submarine fleet of 24 to cover the nation’s future needs.

Getting a step ahead of your competitors means starting work earlier and working harder than they do.

The WA economy 2015 with Treasurer Mike Nahan.

There is another road from the heavily politicised and extremely adversarial nature of our industrial relations environment.

If other codes’ recent TV rights deals are anything to go by, the AFL could be in for a significant revenue growth.

Colin Barnett aimed low when Labor questioned Dean Nalder’s fitness for office over conflict of interest claims.

If in doubt that we really are sailing in unchartered economic waters, consider one number; it’s a big number, but the estimated $US2 trillion invested around the world in government and corporate bonds that carry a negative interest rate paints a very disturbing picture.

There was a further easing in reported sales last week as more stock flowed into the market, with all components contributing to the softening.

Tony Abbott and his team appear to have no ability to deal with the mire they have sunk into.

I have always been impressed with the value to individuals and their businesses offered by participation in exchange programs.

A solid belief in your company and what it offers is essential if you want to get your message across.

The federal government is sending contradictory messages in its invitation to Chinese investors.

Taking a small timeout from work can help you refocus your attention and achieve your goals

Everything old seems to be new again in the resources sector, with a number of old projects being rebirthed under new management.

Western Australian businesses borrowed more last year than at any time since the GFC, with commercial finance up 14.9 per cent to $44.8 billion on the previous year’s figure, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Much has been made of Colin Barnett’s decision to run up the white flag after referendum results in three local government areas, which rejected council amalgamation proposals. It was a humiliating result for a key government reform, strongly promoted by the premier.