Ratings agency Moody's has downgraded Western Australia's credit rating to Aa2, reflecting an ongoing deterioration in the state's finances and concern that the government will be unable to meet its own spending targets.
WA is one of the world's largest producers of lithium, but a plan to diversify from mining into advanced manufacturing opportunities will be tricky to shore up.
Economist and climate change adviser Ross Garnaut has called on the Barnett government to write down the value of coal-fired power stations and other ageing assets, warning that keeping them online threatened its ability to reduce power prices.
The state government will lay underground power lines in areas of the South West after the Yarloop bushfire racked up a $26 million damage bill to the region's electricity network.
The state government has flagged more asset sales after its mid-year budget update confirmed deepening financial problems, with the annual deficit worse than expected and state debt tipped to reach an unprecedented $39 billion.
A hotel and a laboratory in Perth have been recognised as two of the best places to work in Australia, while two Western Australian workers have also been honoured for excelling during their training.
Having invested million of dollars over many years in an uncertain regulatory environment, Western Australian private power station developers are now facing further delays due to proposed changes to the electricity market.
If news from the science and banking communities proves to be as promising as it sounds, a new business opportunity is brewing that promises to be as disruptive and profitable as the early years of mobile phones – while also derailing a century-old government service.
Vinalco Energy, the Synergy-owned Muja power station operator, could be fined up to $100,000 after it was found to have exercised unlawful power over Western Australia's electricity market.
Leading local businesswomen Sharon Warburton and Vicki Krause have joined the board of the energy provider Western Power, replacing outgoing directors Paul Underwood and Sue Wilson.
SPECIAL REPORT: Business News looks at what's holding up and what's contributing to electricity price reductions, reviews the players in WA's wave energy and waste-to-energy industries and reports on allegations of market manipulation by a Synergy-owned business.
Two prominent Perth businesswomen have moved on to new government roles, with Heather Zampatti named the new chair for Lotterywest, while Libby Lyons has become a director of the national Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
Western Power has reported a substantial reduction in operating expenditure for the third year in succession, and says it is on target to deliver $1.4 billion in savings across its current five-year access arrangement.
ASG Group has announced a new $40 million contract with Western Power, joining Zetta Group and Nextgen Group in winning new information and communications technology contracts with the utility.
A local waste technology solutions company backed by Monadelphous Group has completed the biological ramp-up phase of commissioning its waste-to-energy plant in Shenton Park, nearly eight months behind schedule.
Several local councils are hoping the state's assets privatisation program will give them control over one of their most significant expenses – the cost of operating street lights.
After a decade of strong population and economic growth, debate continues as to the best ways to fund the state's future infrastructure needs. Business News has compiled a list of the biggest state government assets that could be sold in future to fund infrastructure.
Listed Perth company AnaeCo has achieved a significant milestone at its waste-to-energy plant in Shenton Park, with Western Power approving its connection to the electricity grid.
A former Western Power boss, the vice-chancellor of Curtin University, and a former Bethanie chief executive are among this year's local recipients of the Queen's Birthday honours list.
The state government is aiming to collect up to $5 billion from a vastly expanded privatisation program that includes Fremantle Ports, the TAB, office buildings, residential land estates, Keystart loans, houses, plantations and power stations.
Perth Airport chairman and Curtin University chancellor Colin Beckett has taken the role as head of the Western Power board, with Iluka Resources chair Greg Martin appointed as his deputy.
Two local enterprises have joined forces to leverage off each other's niche offerings amid a declining resources sector and limited growth opportunities for indigenous businesses.
Premier Colin Barnett has formally announced his new chief of staff will be Peter (Willie) Rowe, who has recently wound down his lobbying business Third House in anticipation of taking on the new role.
Asset sales, cost cutting and restructuring are under way across WA, creating opportunities for professional services firms. Click through to see details of more than 30 privatisation deals in WA, from 1961 to the present day.
Treasurer Mike Nahan, who is coming up on a year in the job later this month, spoke to an audience of nearly 500 at a Business News Success & Leadership breakfast last week.
Treasurer Mike Nahan has reiterated the state government's commitment to return to surplus by 2016-17, but has pledged not to do it by hitting families or businesses, at today's Business News Success and Leadership breakfast.
The state's new peak body for renewable energy and energy efficiency, which emerged after the collapse of the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia last year, is set to establish its leadersh
Perth company WPM Group anticipates revenue growth of more than 35 per cent this year after securing three major contracts in its specialist niche of print management.
Developers will be able to get a slice of prime coastal land near the South Fremantle Power Station early next year, after the state government today approved the master plan for the redevelopment
Some of Perth's top company directors and dealmakers, including Michael Smith, Ian Cochrane, Michael Ashforth and Tony Iannello have been recruited to help run prominent family companies.
Western Australian utilities are boosting the state government's budget bottom line, partially offsetting falling GST and royalty revenue, according to the latest round of annual reports submitted to state parliament.
