News Articles for Mike Nahan

Legislation to enable regulation of Western Power to transition from WA's Economic Regulation Authority to the independent national energy regulator has been introduced to state parliament.

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.

The federal election could have ramifications for Colin Barnett's leadership; how big depends on the size of the swing against the Turnbull government.

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

WA has had nearly $170 billion redistributed to other states by the federal government during the past 10 years, with the GST only one tax with a problem.

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.

Horizon Power will trial a new method of charging residents and businesses in Port Hedland for electricity, with the aim of giving customers more control over their power usage.

The state government hopes to reduce the time required to secure approvals for starting a restaurant by up to three months through a $1.6 million ‘flying squad' initiative.

ANALYSIS: The recent state budget did little to convince voters the Barnett government is on the right track ahead of the 2017 election.

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 High Court has dealt a major blow to the state government after ruling invalid legislation that would have propelled it to the top of the creditors' list for the $1.75 billion carve-up of the failed Bell Group.

Perth property developer Nigel Satterley insists Mike Nahan was seeking to oust Colin Barnett until "sensible people brought it into the open".

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.

The state government will invest $10 million into the redevelopment of Lathlain Park in the Town of Victoria Park, which will also be the new training home for the West Coast Eagles.

Treasurer Mike Nahan appears to have lost any hope his calls to change the GST carve-up will be heeded, declaring "we're on our own" after handing down the state budget yesterday.

The state government expects lower contracting and construction rates will deliver savings of more than $1 billion on its asset investment program over the next four years, but has not committed to any major new infrastructure projects.

Treasurer Mike Nahan hopes to raise $16 billion from an expanded asset sales program, with Western Power and Horizon Power's Pilbara transmission lines now targeted but two other assets unexpectedly removed from the government's sell-off list.

The Barnett government expects to deliver Western Australia's largest budget deficit of $3.9 billion next financial year as it continues to grapple with shrinking revenue and higher spending.

Treasurer Mike Nahan has poured cold water on a report that argued Western Power was a major cash spinner for the government, saying the corporation paid a net dividend of less than $30 million to the state last year.

The imminent departure of four heavy hitters in the public service couldn't have come at a worse time for the state government.

The state government has provided $16 million to ScreenWest to boost film productions in Western Australia.

SPECIAL REPORT: WA's big construction companies are going through a transition phase, following the end of a major building boom.

The suggestion Treasurer Mike Nahan threatened to quit if the privatisation of electricity utility Western Power was not contemplated has been shot down by the premier.

Treasurer Mike Nahan will embark on a regional pitch for the sale of Fremantle Ports, today revealing that the package could include a redevelopment of the passenger terminal, and a long-term fund to pay for infrastructure at the future outer harbour.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has backed down from its decision to double the payment period on its supply contracts after widespread criticism from politicians and an outcry from suppliers.

Residents at Alkimos Beach and White Gum Valley are set to participate in trials of solar energy technology and battery storage that could lead to large reductions in power bills.

SPECIAL REPORT: A flurry of deals over the past fortnight, including four acquisitions by international companies expanding in Western Australia and the year's largest capital raising, has added life to a flat corporate finance market.

Treasurer Mike Nahan has called on the federal government to test a variation of its state income tax plan in Western Australia, after saying WA was again ripped off in the latest Commonwealth Grants Commission distribution.

Consumers should expect to pay less for their electricity in the long term as a result of sweeping changes to Western Australia's energy market that aim to slash the cost of supply, Energy Minister Mike Nahan says.

SPECIAL REPORT: There has been a major shift in business influence in WA amid waning international investment and, with two elections on the way, there is a prospect of even bigger changes in political influence. Click through to see our listing of WA's most infliential leaders in politics and business.

Managing the state's economic transition was the main focus of today's cabinet reshuffle, Premier Colin Barnett said, with tourism and agriculture in his sights as key growth industries.

The state government's asset sales campaign has hit a major snag today, with state Nationals leader Terry Redman announcing the party would not support the sale of Fremantle Ports, which had been forecast to raise $2 billion.

The state government expects to sell 40 per cent of the loan book for low-income finance provider Keystart in the second half of the year, with an expressions of interest campaign officially launched today.

Eliminating waste on major state infrastructure projects is a challenge for government on both sides of politics.

Solar-powered battery storage devices are being installed in Esperance to provide power to a handful of people previously connected to the electricity infrastructure razed by last November's bushfires.

A lobby group set up to defend a major component of Western Australia's oversupplied electricity market has stepped up its political stunts today presenting a large likeness of a gold watch as a symbol that it's time to retire Muja AB power station.

Thermal power company Enerji has been appointed co-developer in a $300,000 state-run trial to determine the economic case for a micro electricity grid in Kalbarri that could potentially become Australia's biggest fringe-of-grid network.

Asset sales are expected to feature heavily when the Barnett government releases its budget in May.

Any trade union-backed court challenge to the state government's updated wage policy would result in job losses in the public sector, Treasurer Mike Nahan warned today, as above inflation pay rises would need to be offset through lower staff numbers.

The premier's ‘follow-me' style makes his performance in the lead-up to the next state poll vital for the government's chances of re-election.