Special Reports

Free to read: Western Australia has been home to mining for centuries, evolving from ochre pits excavated by Aboriginal peoples for rituals, art and ceremonies, to a high-tech industry that can economically supply enormous quantities of resources worldwide. Global leadership in innovation and technology adoption has supported this growth. Here are seven of the best local examples.

Free to read: The Square Kilometre Array will provide a boost for science in WA, but there was a point nearly a decade ago where the project could have been lost to the state.

Over the years, WA business has finessed its offering, from commodities to services, the arts and sophisticated technologies.

As editor of Business News, I’m delighted to introduce a new feature that highlights the best of Western Australia. Great for the State is a 12-page lift-out that will be published each month over the course of 2019.

SPECIAL REPORT: Low awareness of cyber security risks remains a key issue for the business sector.

SPECIAL REPORT: Staying abreast of rapidly changing business technologies is a growing challenge for many SMEs.

Tougher emissions standards for ships and a growing need for remote power options for miners could both be a boost for the domestic LNG market.

SPECIAL REPORT: Major new engineering contracts show momentum is building for $60 billion of oil and gas projects in WA, but the issue of carbon policy has once again created an obstacle.

SPECIAL REPORT: LandCorp has a busy 2019 ahead of it as it pursues precinct development in some of Perth’s most desirable suburbs.

SPECIAL REPORT: After operating for more than 30 years as Amex Corporation, Okeland Communities has embraced its family history by rebranding.

SPECIAL REPORT: Battered by the biggest downturn to hit the property sector in decades, WA land developers remain in survival mode as they await an expected recovery.

SPECIAL REPORT: The information listed explorers disseminate via traditional news outlets and social media is a growing focus of regulators.

SPECIAL REPORT: Junior explorers are coming under increasing pressure to merge as tough market conditions hit many in the sector.

SPECIAL REPORT: Costs and a local skills shortage are among the challenges facing the state as it seeks to develop a local train car manufacturing sector.

SPECIAL REPORT: Big data has helped the Pilbara Ports Authority to dramatically increase throughput, in contrast to other ports.

SPECIAL REPORT: WA could be about 1,000 truck drivers short at a time the industry believes there are signs of an upswing.

SPECIAL REPORT: WA will be waiting until at least 2030 before an outer harbour development is needed, and in the meantime work is being done to evaluate the best ways to extend the life of Fremantle Port.

SPECIAL REPORT: Elections always bring uncertainty for business, but in 2019 the difference between the major parties is among the starkest in decades.

SPECIAL REPORT: Trade battles, high Chinese debt and slowing global growth are among the biggest threats to the WA economy.

SPECIAL REPORT: Western Australia may not be ready with the workforce and skills needed for the next boom.

SPECIAL REPORT: Western Australia’s iron ore industry has reshaped the BNiQ ranking of the state’s largest private companies.

SPECIAL REPORT: Global players are converging on WA as resources assets become increasingly attractive in the international arena.

SPECIAL REPORT: Tech startups in WA can raise capital if they know where to look and how to ask, a Perth seminar was told.

SPECIAL REPORT: Corporate finance dealmakers in Perth worked on just more than 800 transactions last year worth $51 billion.

SPECIAL REPORT: WA is not matching the national rate for retirement apartment and home builds.

SPECIAL REPORT: WA is continuing to boast a strong aged care development pipeline, and the completion of multiple major developments has meant an increase in bed numbers for some providers.

SPECIAL REPORT: The upcoming aged care royal commission will shine a spotlight on the industry, and while some are hopeful of a positive outcome, others are concerned.

SPECIAL REPORT: Three businessmen will have more impact than most on the state’s economic future, with Peter Coleman leading an oil and gas revival, Chris Ellison building a lithium empire, and Rob Scott reshaping Wesfarmers.

SPECIAL REPORT: As he takes his final bow next year, Marcus Canning will leave a legacy of major change to the artistic and cultural vibrancy of Perth.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mathias Cormann has been deeply entwined in the federal government’s fortunes this year, while a win on GST distribution has boosted standing for Mark McGowan and Ben Wyatt.

SPECIAL REPORT: In business and philanthropy, executive diversity and on the sports field, it has been quite a year for Andrew Forrest.

SPECIAL REPORT: BGC Australia and Perron Group are going through changes that all family-owned businesses face, large or small.