Special Reports

The proposed Treasury Building development is not the only civic building courting controversy in Perth, following the announcement by Culture and the Arts Minister Sheila McHale of a $42 million performing arts venue to be built on the corner of Roe and

With a boom-fuelled surplus, Perth architects want the state government to take the bull by the horns and provide some vision for the city.

Australia’s largest towel manufacturer, Canning Vale Weaving Mills, plans to close its manufacturing operations in Perth and lay-off 140 staff, despite having received $20 million in state and federal government assistance over the past eight years.

Western Australia’s buoyant economy has improved local companies’ strike rate in accessing support through AusIndustry’s competitive grants programs.

When communications company Motorola selected Perth as the site for a major software engineering centre, it was hailed as a breakthrough that would support the development of new industry in Western Australia.

A small number of big companies, including Motorola, Westpac and defence contractor Raytheon, have received multi-million dollar incentives from the state government to establish or expand their Western Australian operations.

The Court and Gallop governments offered nearly $10 million in financial assistance to four call centre operators in Western Australia with a success rate of just 50 per cent.

China offers enormous potential for WA in terms of tourist numbers. But has the state missed the boat?

Evans & Tate CEO Martin Johnson is optimistic about the winemaker’s future.

The glare of the markets can sometimes be a costly distraction for companies.

The Western Australian government has called on its federal counterpart to beef up its Trade Practices Act (TPA) to help protect small business against predatory pricing by big business.

Small business accounts for 97 per cent of all businesses in Western Australia, but an estimated 40 per cent do not have a strategic business plan.

The role of the banks in Australia’s small business sector is crucial and will remain so. No single topic generated more discussion at the recent WA Business News SME forum than the big banks, their service, or lack of it, relationships with them and thei

Running a small business can take a horrendous toll on family and private life.

Operators of small businesses are looking increasingly to vital communications solutions outside of the big telcos, Telstra and Optus.

Cash flow is the major concern facing small business enterprises, according to two major national surveys.

Facing of a range of issues beyond their control, small businesses are having a tough time. And there appears to be no silver bullet, other than the continuing innovation, drive and determination demonstrated at a recent WA Business News forum.

The inability to attract and retain good staff, and the combination of rapidly escalating commercial rents and a shortage of warehouse and office space, are hurting small business in Western Australia.

It has been another big year for managed investment schemes, but the experts warn the industry is consolidating rapidly.

Indian sandalwood company TFS Corporation has announced that revenue sales from its 2006 Indian sandalwood project in Kununurra totalled $19.8 million, up 62 per cent on last year’s sales of $12.25 million.

Adelaide-based Futuris Corporation Ltd this week announced its intention to compulsorily acquire West-Perth based company Integrated Tree Cropping Ltd, after attaining a relevant interest in 93 per cent of the company.

Just as one battle ends, it may well be that another is beginning. Last week, Australian Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo made a submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry into tax issues, stating that 98 per cent of some 42,000 cases involving tax-

Having ridden the crest of a seemingly endless wave of positive sentiment and upward movement, the Australian Stock Exchange recently showed its first major signs of vulnerability in more than three years.

With the rapid rise of base metal prices during the first half of 2006, it wasn’t a question of if there would be a correction, but when.

There has been an almost unparalleled number of floats and other capital raising in the past six months, with nearly 30 Western Australian companies raising more than $130 million and accumulating a combined market capitalisation of more than $290 million

Despite a 10-year high in business confidence, more than half of businesses in Western Australia believe another interest rate rise will take a toll on the state’s bustling economy, according to the CCI-BankWest survey of business expectations for the Jun

Despite recent fluctuations in the market nationally, the resources-led Western Australian economy continues to demonstrate its resilience.

Market jitters and cost pressures are prompting the question: is the current boom sustainable?

The editor of Perth’s only daily newspaper, The West Australian, is one of the most influential people in the state.

What is the common link between metalworkers’ union boss Jock Ferguson, Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive John Langoulant and recent BHP Billiton recruit Ian Fletcher?

The University of Western Australia’s Business School board ranks as the bluest of blue chip boards in Perth.

The big changes at the top of the state government over the past six months have put the new premier, Alan Carpenter, firmly at the head of WA Business News’ fifth annual ‘Most Influential’ survey.