News Articles for Dean Nalder

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.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt's ambition for increased private participation in the electricity sector remains, despite a slow start, touting it as part of a microeconomic reform program designed to lift productivity.

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.

SPECIAL REPORT: Our annual analysis of the state's movers and shakers shows that sometimes the best examples of influence are demonstrated not by what change an influencer starts, but rather what they can stop.

Opinion: Local branch members got their man when David Honey won the recent Cottesloe by-election.

A move that could dramatically reduce power bills for Perth residents is on the backburner, despite a similar process taking place in other parts of the state, so the government can appease unions, according to shadow energy minister Dean Nalder.

To a large degree, Labor's big budget repair plans have stalled, while newcomers on both sides of the aisle find their way around their house on the hill.

The number of electricity users disconnected for failing to pay bills increased around 60 per cent in Western Australia in the 2017 financial year, while more than 10,000 electricity users were on a hardship program, according to a report released by the Economic Regulatory Authority today.

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.

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.

Opposition leader Mike Nahan has called for a parliamentary budget office to be established as part of his budget reply speech today, while lashing out at Labor for not funding the Ellenbrook rail line.

Premier Mark McGowan has refused to reiterate his election promise made three months ago of no new taxes or tax increases, instead deflecting the issue by saying the state is in a "catastrophic" financial mess.

Premier Mark McGowan has officially marked the beginning of the reversal process for the $440 million Roe 8 highway extension project, with a renegotiation process between Main Roads and the project's proponents set to begin.

ANALYSIS: Outgoing Liberal minister Joe Francis, who appears to have lost his seat of Jandakot, says Colin Barnett should have been replaced as premier last year to improve the government's re-election prospects.

Western Australia's Liberal MPs are considering a new leader to replace Colin Barnett after the weekend's crushing election defeat.

The auditor general says former transport minister Dean Nalder's decision to withhold information from parliament about his proposed Max Light Rail project was unreasonable, as the details were already in the public domain.

Uncertainty about the direction of the government and its leadership is likely to persist despite the premier's win last week.

Bill Marmion will pick up the transport portfolio in a minor cabinet reshuffle that also includes the introduction of two new ministers; Paul Miles and Mark Lewis.

Colin Barnett has seen off an attempted spill motion at today's party room meeting by 31 votes to 15, emerging with what he claimed was a united Liberal team after a ‘therapeutic' exercise.

Colin Barnett says he is confident he has the support to continue as premier if there is a leadership spill this week, following the resignation of ministers Dean Nalder and Tony Simpson over the weekend.

Six years after buying into Bibra Lake-based InterGrain, agricultural biotech company Monsanto has decided to sell its 26 per cent stake in the government-backed grain breeding company.

Western Australia's potato industry no longer faces heavy regulation after the state government passed legislation to remove 70-year-old restrictions.

Premier Colin Barnett has reportedly told Agriculture and Transport Minister Dean Nalder not to attend a regional cabinet meeting because his presence would be a distraction.

The state government has appointed Richard Sellers to the role of director general of the Department of Transport, succeeding Reece Waldock who retired last month.

Construction contractor Laing O'Rourke and engineering firm AECOM have won a $25 million contract to upgrade the East Perth train station, which is expected to take on larger crowds when the new Perth Stadium opens next year.

State National Party MPs met at Parliament House today as former leader Brendon Grylls tried to retake the leadership from Terry Redman, claiming the Liberal/National alliance was not in a winnable position for the upcoming state election due in March.

A series of new rail and road tunnels, including a CBD train loop and a line from Stirling to Murdoch could be needed as Perth's population grows to 3.5 million, according to Transport Minister Dean Nalder, as he unveiled the state government's long term transport blueprint this morning.

Premier Colin Barnett has cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new $217 million underground Perth Busport, with services to begin this weekend.

The state government has extended its discounted charges at the Utah Point bulk handling facility by another year, to help junior miners continue exporting iron ore, as debate around the sale of the port continues.

A decision to dump Perth's planned light rail network has dented trust in the government's transport promises ahead of next year's state election, Treasurer Mike Nahan concedes.

Wangara-based contractor Ertech has won an $8.3 million contract for work on the state government's Exmouth Boat Harbour upgrade project.

The state government has given the new underground Perth Busport an official opening date, with transport services to begin operating from July 17.

A joint venture comprising BGC Contracting and Laing O'Rourke has won a contract to deliver the second stage of the Northlink WA roads project, with the deal believed to be worth in excess of $400 million.

Speculation about Premier Colin Barnett's leadership is being perpetuated by those who deliberately seek to undermine the government, Treasurer Mike Nahan says.

Fortescue Metals Group has broken BHP Billiton's monopoly on tug services at Port Hedland, after being named the successful bidder for a second towage licence at what is the world's biggest bulk export port.

Bill Shorten is trying to woo Perth commuters with a $1 billion pledge for the Metronet urban rail project, which WA Labor says will cost $2.5 billion but the WA Liberals have labelled as pork-barrelling.

The head of Uber's Perth division says the state government has ‘double dipped' by imposing extra costs on the company's drivers with the introduction of a new mandatory licence fee.

Nationals leader Terry Redman says the party remains opposed to the sale of Fremantle Ports, despite supporting treasurer Mike Nahan's introduction today of a bill to enable a lease of up to 99 years to proceed.

The state government will cover an outstanding $67 million owed by mining companies through the Port Enhancement Project at Geraldton Port, with the charge to be removed from July.

A joint venture between Perth contractor NRW Holdings and Italian company Salini Impregilo has officially been awarded a $1.17 billion contract for the Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link project, which has an overall budget of nearly $2 billion.