Energy Minister Mike Nahan has hailed the removal of the carbon price as the reason behind Western Australians receiving an 8 per cent drop in electricity prices.
The state government has agreed to increase the price it pays Premier Coal for its coal supplies, as uncertainty continues over the fate of fellow Collie producer Griffin Coal.
The Business News annual export review has the latest data on 33 businesses representing $122 billion in outgoing trade. It also shows that while iron ore continues to dominate, the emergence of LNG, agriculture and services will benefit from a lower dollar.
As the state's review of its electricity market seeks to turn the system on its head, investors protecting their interests have argued strongly to keep Western Australia out of the national electricity market (NEM).
Western Australian treasurer Mike Nahan says he can't guarantee a budget surplus in the next financial year due to the recent volatility in iron ore prices.
Perth's investment banking sector is jockeying for position to sell Canning Vale Market City, Utah Point in Port Hedland and the Kwinana Bulk Terminal, the first assets to be sold off to reduce the
Producing electricity for Western Australians costs at least 125 per cent more than elsewhere in Australia, according to a newly released state government discussion paper on the largest ever review of the electricity market.
New warnings have emerged electricity prices could rise if Western Australia adopts an east-coast style energy market, according to a report commissioned by a private operator.
Energy Minister Mike Nahan has confirmed the resignation of Michael Smith from the board of electricity retailer Synergy, a departure which coincided with the exit of three other board members.
Western Australians will have to wait until Christmas to find out how much the government saved by merging power generator and retailer Verve and Synergy.
Treasurer Mike Nahan says the government could generate proceeds of up to $3 billion through the sale of several assets earmarked in the budget as candidates for privatisation.
The government appears to have reacted to pre-budget industry fears by declaring only modest cuts to new housing market entrants' stamp duty concessions, however it still earned the wrath of some industry players.
The Barnett government has trimmed back its record capital works spend further, deferring spending on key infrastructure projects including the Swan Valley Bypass.
The Barnett government would raise nearly $6 billion by selling the state's three major ports, if the Western Australian sales attracted the same surprisingly high bidding interest as recent port sales on the east coast.
The Barnett government has moved to defer future payments to providers of reserve electricity in a key first move of its review of the state's electricity market.
SPECIAL REPORT: The Economic Regulation Authority has dismissed calls from several industry bodies for the creation of an independent infrastructure advisory body, saying it is an added cost unlikely to contribute much.
The reform agenda mapped out last week by the Economic Regulation Authority should become former treasurer Troy Buswell's greatest legacy to the state.
The state government has secured private funding to build own and operate a 150 megawatt power station in South Hedland which will incorporate infrastructure from a smaller power station that collapsed engineering company Forge Group was building.
Mike Nahan has been tasked with the difficult job of managing the state's finances ahead of May's budget, replacing Troy Buswell as treasurer in a cabinet reshuffle.
Energy Minister Mike Nahan's launch today of the first review of the state electricity market since Western Power was disaggregated in 2006 has drawn a mixed response.
Premier Colin Barnett has taken responsibility for the treasury and transport portfolios while Troy Buswell is on health-related leave for the next two weeks.
SPECIAL REPORT: Energy Minister Mike Nahan has told Business News a review of Western Australia's wholesale electricity market could open the door to some dramatic shakeups in the sector.
