Opinion

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.

Following the money is always the best way to see what interests a rich man because it tells you two things – what he likes as an investment for future growth, and what he sees as having reached the limits of growth.

After last week's 9% increase in reported activity, sales have retreated 7% this week back to a similar level reported a fortnight ago.

The government lost the argument on council amalgamations because it was unable to prosecute the case for their alleged benefits.

What should managers do if they do not trust one of their team?

Don't waste time, don't procrastinate, focus on your sales mission – all simple rules to ensure you achieve your goals … but so often overlooked.

Not everything new is momentous, and not all that is old should be forgotten.

Yield hunters are ignoring warning signs from the ‘real' economy, pushing share prices for some major stocks higher.

When the Reserve Bank of Australia repeatedly throughout 2014 flagged a "period of stability" for interest rates, you could have been forgiven for thinking it was signalling a period of stability for interest rates.

This week, I started posting articles on how BNiQ, our searchable database, can help you delve into Western Australian companies and people in a previously unavailable way.

Colin Barnett's decision to run up the white flag after his six-year campaign to rationalise the number of metropolitan local councils is effectively an admission that his strategy was flawed. It is also a triumph for self-interest.

Rio Tinto's strong profit reported earlier today will please investors in one of state's biggest employers, though the big miner's fresh round of job shedding is a warning shot across the bows of the Western Australian economy, with more warning shots likely to be fired over the next 12 days.

A 12% increase in house sales reported last week lifted overall activity to its highest level since early July 2014 which is a welcome sign given the market has been on a general downward trend since that time.

A remarkable similarity is evident in the leadership styles of Australia's past three prime ministers.

Preparing for the projected growth in nature-based tourism requires strategic planning and consultation.

Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses is the first step in setting your sales direction for the year ahead.

Few people are better placed to understand the changes taking place in health insurance than HBF managing director Rob Bransby.

One of the joys of being a business reporter in this state for the better part of 25 years is that the background to a story is often more obvious to me than others with less time in the field.

The problems for BHP Billiton's management team didn't start with the South32 proposal, but that plan has brought things to a head.

Walk down many major city streets these days and there seems to be a renewed sense of vibrancy and excitement. This is particularly true of Perth, where once shady, unloved laneways are being brought back to life with fashionable new bars, restaurants and shops springing to life on an almost-weekly basis.

Western Australian gold producers are enjoying a bright start to 2015 as the domestic price of the precious metal surges higher.

The Barnett government is in a catch-22 position ahead of the 2017 state election, needing to get the books in order without alienating voters.