News Articles for Ben Wyatt

The state government has urged the heritage industry to swallow its concerns about the new draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act.

The jobless rate in WA is among the country's lowest, with some workers finding jobs and some leaving the labour force.

The state government is introducing new laws to extend its payroll tax support for Western Australian businesses.

After decades of planning, several marina projects proposing more than 900 boat pens are starting to take shape, but challenges remain.

Behind the headline black ink in Ben Wyatt's 2020 state budget is an indulgent and self-interested fiscal stimulus.

Western Australia's economy is the envy of the nation but a second coronavirus wave remains a massive risk.

The state government's response to COVID-19 is smaller than investment after the Global Financial Crisis, shadow treasurer Dean Nalder claims.

Recruiting 800 new police officers and $201 million for remote communities were among the initiatives announced in the state budget today.

The state's public sector workers who have had to accept flat annual pay increases of $1,000 a year for the past four years will have to get used to it.

Both Ben Wyatt and Josh Frydenberg have avoided big reforms to boost productivity this week, with CCI today arguing the state government missed an opportunity.

A big boost in royalty income has largely offset the revenue hit of COVID-19, as Treasurer Ben Wyatt borrows in the hope of an infrastructure-led recovery.

A second wave of COVID-19 in Western Australia remains the single biggest threat to the state's economy, according to Premier Mark McGowan.

UPDATED: The state government has promised a debt-fuelled record $27 billion infrastructure spend over the next four years in a pre-election budget.

Keeping Western Australians safe and creating jobs will be the major focus of a pre-election state budget that is expected to forecast a modest surplus.

Western Australia is expected to deliver a $1.7 billion budget surplus, while the national budget is likely to record a deficit of around $83 billion.

Original federal budget estimates have been blown away by COVID-19, while WA faces a different set of challenges.

The federal finance minister has questioned the wisdom of Western Australia handing down a budget surplus in the middle of a global economic downturn.

Every West Australian household will receive a $600 credit towards their electricity bills as part of the upcoming state budget.

Every Western Australian household will receive a $600 credit towards their electricity bills as part of the upcoming state budget.

Hesperia, in partnership with Birchmead Property Group, has acquired Lot 118 within the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct, to deliver approximately 120 residential apartments.

The state government has reported a $1.7 billion budget surplus during one of the worst downturns in the country's history, helped by a $945 million boost in royalty income.

Mark McGowan's stance on hard border closures is politically popular at home, but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture.

The state government has confirmed it will extend exemptions for payroll tax on payments made under the extended JobKeeper scheme.

More Australians stranded overseas will be able to return home each week after state governments agreed to a staggered rise in hotel quarantine caps.

The state government has committed an additional $30 million to its Building Bonus program, but is yet to respond to industry calls for extending delivery timeframes.

Alan Carpenter has been appointed to the board of DevelopmentWA, while Chris Leatt-Hayter will retire from Fremantle Ports.

The state government will have the power to stop miners from disturbing significant sites under long-awaited Aboriginal cultural heritage reforms, which will also demand informed consent for traditional owners.

WA's domestic economy contracted 6 per cent in the June quarter, slightly better than national figures showing Australia is in recession.

The Supreme Court has approved a settlement of the long-running Bell Group dispute that will see $1.9 billion distributed to five major creditors.

The state government has announced $2 million in grants under the latest iteration of the Local Capability Fund for Western Australia's small businesses.

With the McGowan government's plans for a strong budget upended, it is now focused on supporting jobs and the broader economy.

DevelopmentWA has recorded a surge in regional lot sales within the first week of the state government's $116 million land package.

Western Australia will look into manufacturing wind turbine components as part of a mission towards greater self-sufficiency driven by the coronavirus pandemic.

Redevelopment of WA's theatres and concert halls are just two projects to be funded under the state government's $76 million recovery package for the arts sector.

Official data showing wages in WA taking a much bigger hit than any other state since COVID-19 may be nothing more than a statistical anomaly.

The palace letters have reopened some old wounds about the Whitlam dismissal.

The state government has announced changes to the construction commencement criteria of its Building Bonus stimulus package, off the back of a 211 per cent increase in sales in June.

A new road planned for the Rockingham Industry Zone will unlock 73.5 hectares of industrial land.

Western Australia's border closures have sparked heated debate, yet there are some indications the economic impact may be less than contended.

ADCO Constructions has won the contract for the Art Gallery of WA's rooftop development, which will feature a 34-metre Aboriginal artwork and a skybridge.