Western Australia's unemployment was steady in August at 6.2 per cent in trend terms, despite a small rise in the number of people employed, although the level was much lower for women than men.
John Langoulant's interests range widely, from building a lyric theatre in Perth to doing business in the Top End, but his main passion is public sector reform.
The state government has foreshadowed a new graduate visa scheme to attract international students to WA but has no plans to reverse earlier policy decisions that have contributed to a plunge in the state's share of foreign students coming to Australia.
One of the nation's most respected economists reckons the tide may have turned for the WA economy, but falling metals prices and a global trade war could render that view obsolete.
The planned overhaul of the GST distribution system may not be perfect, but it's a pragmatic and creative response all states and territories should be able to accept, Western Australian Treasurer Ben Wyatt said today.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA said today it was disappointed the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission had agreed to lift the state's minimum wage by 2.5 per cent.
Western Australia has recorded its first year-on-year economic growth in more than four years, while the national economy expanded 1 per cent in the March quarter, official figures show.
Western Australia's unemployment rate has hit its highest level in more than 16 years, despite the state's economy adding jobs in March, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
SPECIAL REPORT: With the number of apprentices and trainees continuing to decline, Tafes and RTOs are refining their strategies to prepare people for jobs of the future.
SPECIAL REPORT: The state government's plan to remove the payroll tax exemption for employees undertaking training has secured the support of the Greens and The Nationals WA, despite strong opposition from the Liberals and the state's leading business lobby group.
A not-for-profit group established and chaired by retiring Governor Kerry Sanderson has attracted strong corporate support in its mission to improve our state's parks.
The state government's parlous budget position received a small boost today, with Western Australia in line to receive $225 million more in GST revenue next financial year than had previously been estimated.
Michael McLean, the long-time executive director of the Masters Builders Association WA, talked to Mark Pownall on the day he announced plans to retire.
State government agency Tourism WA will have greater input into decisions on liquor licence applications, after Premier Mark McGowan today announced a series of regulatory reforms and red tape cuts.
The state government has revised its budget deficit for the current financial year to a record $2.6 billion but insists the budget outlook has improved while also confirming it has added Landgate to its list of potential asset sales.
Australia's former Trade Commissioner to Mexico, Central America and the Carribean Chris Rodwell will take the reins of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA in February, as Deidre Willmott leaves the helm.
Byrnecut executive chairman Steve Coughlan has slammed the state government's decision to crack down on payroll tax exemptions, saying his company will no longer receive the exemption for courses being undertaken by 1,200 employees.
A further reshuffling of state government departments appears likely after Treasurer Ben Wyatt released the government's service priority review today.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has criticised the state government's crackdown on payroll tax exemption for employees earning more than $100,000 announced today.
Perth's shoppers will enjoy the same extended shopping hours as last year to buy presents and hunt for bargains, but employers want longer hours all year round.
Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has made an emotional plea for gambling revenue to be factored into the GST distribution system, while Western Australians have been warned the state's share of the revenue could potentially fall to zero if the economy were to return to boom times.
The Western Australian opposition will not block the Labor government's proposed payroll tax increase, despite describing it as a broken election promise and predictions it will cost over 1,300 jobs.
The state government has been encouraged to follow the lead of NSW and South Australia and privatise its land registry agency, Landgate, which posted a net profit of $20.1 million last financial year.
The way GST revenue is carved up among the states needs a proper fix, rather than more "band-aids and bolt-ons", federal Treasurer Scott Morrison says, but politicians from states winning from the existing distribution are set to oppose change.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA has warned a Commonwealth Grants Commission proposal for states to retain more revenue from royalty rate changes when calculating the GST distribution might encourage tax hikes, potentially discouraging investment in the mining industry.
Unions and businesses have welcomed a review of Western Australia's industrial relations system, the only remaining state-based scheme operating in parallel with federal laws in the country.
About 1,300 jobs will be lost because of the state government's proposed increases to payroll tax, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA will be hunting for a new chief executive after Deidre Willmott signalled she would move on from the role early next year to pursue non executive director opportunities.
Gold miners have warned of devastating consequences from a higher royalty rate, including potential mine closures, while business groups have also taken aim at proposed payroll tax hikes for larger employers, after both were targeted in a $1 billion revenue grab by the state government in today's budget.
Perth property developer Nigel Satterley is confident of an early breakthrough in the campaign he has spearheaded with other business leaders for a better deal for Western Australia over the distribution of GST revenue.
The state government will be seeking to pile pressure on the Commonwealth to secure more defence industry spending in the west, according to Minister for Defence Issues Paul Papalia, as he hit out at his federal counterpart over a perceived lack of naval shipbuilding cash flowing to local players.
There are signs of recovery in the local economy, with employment and sales activity numbers showing improved performance in June and a major report predicting further recovery next year.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA chief executive Deidre Willmott has been chosen to join the board of Australia Post, following the recruitment of Blackmores boss Christine Holgate as CEO yesterday.
