Opinion

It has been almost seven years since the GFC, and the subsequent drop in tax revenue has challenged two federal governments here in Australia.

Making emotional connections is the key to successful engagement with potential customers.

Politics and academia are a volatile mix, as the handling of the Bjorn Lomborg initiative at UWA has shown.

Those expecting the massive LNG projects under way in the north-west to ride to the WA economy's rescue may need to think again.

The growing prevalence of backdoor listings, particularly among Perth businesses, offers positive news in a sluggish economy.

Almost 60 Western Australian businesses were declared insolvent in February 2015, an increase in the state's share of national insolvencies compared with recent years.

While the economic wisdom of the state and federal budgets is still being debated, it's clear the authors of both documents had one eye on their own political futures.

Western Australia's resources boom drove asset values too high, just as the bust is driving asset values too low; but to best understand that point it's worth taking a trip to Canada, where the sale of a machinery distributor contains an interesting message for Australian investors.

Overall sales eased back 8% last week but still remain 7% above the average since the start of the year.

China is banking on two enormous infrastructure projects helping it to shape the economic environment around its interests.

The view from outside of Australia is particularly upbeat for WA, so maybe it's time to focus on the positives.

You are the sole architect of your attitude, whether positive or negative. It's your choice.

Polite disagreement is hard to find in the digital space.

As smaller iron ore miners scramble to cut costs to deal with falling prices, another hurdle looms – customers' preference for quality.

Saudi Arabia has no qualms about flooding the world with cheap oil to maintain its market dominance.

Many people who run a business have come to the position unprepared for the challenges of leadership.

The hard sell of this year's federal and state budgets will test the advocacy skills of our leading politicians.

Mathematically it's impossible, but in about 11 days Australian investors will discover whether one plus one can add up to more than two – because that's the day the son of BHP Billiton, South32, lists on the ASX.

Reported activity for primarily the first week of May was encouraging with overall sales up 38% for the week to 770, the highest level since late March.

In an unprecedented move, a local lobby group has written to the Pope urging him to reconsider his stance on climate change.

Self-belief, preparation and hard work go hand in hand to put you in a winning position – in life and at work.

Those who earn more also pay proportionally more tax.

Long-term low interest rates have added further complexity to the issue of superannuation and the aged pension.

Universities deserve more freedom than they get, especially now as we transition from a mining boom that generated much wealth but left us inefficient.

The Victorian government's decision to cancel the East-West Link could have ramifications for WA.

A decision to lift the pay of some public hospital staff above inflation puts further strain on the government's budget position.

Can interest rates rise and fall at the same time? They can if you're looking at different markets, because just as the Reserve Bank of Australia considers a fresh cut in its prime rate to try and boost the local economy, interest rates in other markets are starting to rise.

Another long weekend, another dip in sales activity.

China's expansionist intentions in the South China Sea are becoming more apparent, much to the concern of Asean nations and their allies.

After moving at crawl for decades, the taxi industry is heading backwards.

Referrals will get you business, but they won't come unless you earn them.

An unlikely sector is confidently going about its business while other parts of the economy struggle.