Special Reports

WHEN Colin Barnett chose to play the states’ rights card just before Christmas 2009 it seemed like a strategy with a hint of desperation.

THE specialist group set up to negotiate with miners the fine print of the revamped mining tax probably has just one job – to keep the industry from again uniting behind a major political campaign like it did for six weeks in the middle of this year.

The mining tax and the accompanying political shenanigans were not the only events of 2010, even though it might have felt like that for many business leaders in Western Australia.

THE growing internationalisation of Western Australia’s resources sector is creating a range of major new challenges for local services companies as they deal with an ever more exotic client base.

OPPORTUNITIES may abound for many in the resources services sector as the state’s economy returns to full speed, but they are not yet always flowing through to the bottom line.

The return of boom conditions is not delivering an even spread of benefits to the companies servicing the resources sector.

Australia’s resources-led economic recovery has had a major impact on the pay of WA-based executives, with a big rise in the number of million dollar pay packets as share prices bounced back from GFC lows.

HE role of chairman at Australian public companies has traditionally been reserved for experienced industry professionals tired of working in an executive capacity and who are keen to bring an independent viewpoint to the company boardroom.

THE sacking of a provincial health chief in Canada might seem far removed from Western Australia’s public service, but the news that gained global attention shows bureaucrat salaries are a big issue around the world.

GETTING value for money is a subjective matter when it comes to assessing executive pay.

The South West is a land of opportunity, but some locals worry the chance to develop is being missed.

THE interconnectivity of industry in the state’s South West corner, based on the value adding undertaken by many of the region’s businesses, makes it very different from what we see to our north.

INDIGENOUS employment remains a big issue in Western Australia, with development in regions with significant Aboriginal populations prompting many communities to use native title agreements to create jobs.

As WA continues its resources-led economic recovery, businesses are searching for solutions to the encroaching skills shortage.

PROVIDING employment opportunities is the key corporate role in bridging the gap between indigenous living standards and the rest of Australia, according to two of the nation’s business leaders.

DANIEL Stean started at floral import export company WAFEX 10 years ago, sweeping the factory floor; now he is the general manager of the company’s Perth warehouse, overseeing 40 staff.

I’M not sure if you’ve noticed, but the Great Southern has been producing some blindingly good cabernets over the last few years. There is talk around the traps that they may even be challenging Margaret River for the title of best cabernet region.

Indigenous tourism leaders are hopeful a funding boost for the sector will raise the level of professionalism of its operators. Aimée Sargent reports.

THE Economic Audit Committee’s recommendations for community services are expected to bring about major changes to the way the sector operates.

TRAVEL TALK with Bruno Camarri - consultant, Freehills

A commitment to its original vision paired with a conservative budget has kept the Perth Festival in business.

Changing government policy is a tedious process and the ensuing bureaucracy requires patience.

The community sector and the state government are working collaboratively to create major change in the provision of community services.

RETURNING to Perth for a second year after an eight-year hiatus until 2009, the Australia Cup has overcome funding difficulties and secured the support of key sponsors Sunseeker and the City of Perth for its 2010 event, held on the Swan River later this m

THE state’s retail industry is waiting to gauge the success of new retail trading hours that started this week.

Perth’s retail property sector is heading into a new era of extended trading hours, expanded centres and more sophisticated retail offerings.

MAIN street shopping locations and bulky goods centres are emerging as standout performers in the retail property sector, according to leasing agents.

AFTER a decade during which growth of major suburban shopping centres in Perth fell behind that of eastern states operations, new planning regulations have freed-up development investment and provided the impetus for a change in the way centres are develo

Booming resources companies are putting Perth on the consultants’ map

PERTH being Perth, it’s difficult to avoid the strong historic connections between the key players at the top end of the management consulting market.

WA may be riding on the back of growth in Asia, but local economists warn the ride will not always be smooth.

THERE may be many advantages in Western Australia’s isolation, but the state’s distance from a pool of available labour is not one of them.