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The shortage of hospitality workers has hit crisis point, according to several tourism industry leaders, who say increasing the number of immigrants to work in the sector will help businesses grow and prevent service levels falling.

Tourism WA chair and restaurateur, Kate Lamont, believes Western Australia’s tourism promotion should be focused on markets that bring in big-spending tourists rather than attracting lots of low-spending ones.

Malaga-based scaffolding and form-work supplier PCH Group Ltd has announced plans to work with Singapore-based scaffolding company Presco Scaffolding and Services Ltd.

Managed investment scheme promoter Rewards Group Ltd believes its close alliance with listed investment company, The Ark Fund Ltd, will reduce the adverse impact of recent tax changes on its non-forestry projects.

Western Australian builders’ co-operative, Wesbuilders, claims to have doubled its membership this summer as smaller builders find it tough to individually challenge the muscle of large volume project builders when it comes to accessing vital supplies.

Serviced industrial land is becoming a rare commodity in Perth, with prices rising sharply and large lots in short supply as owner-occupiers flood the market.

Moving to shore up its financial future, the 114-year-old Western Australian Club is seeking buyers or redevelopers for its historic premises at 101 St Georges Terrace.

One of Western Australia’s oldest but lowest profile property development companies stepped out of the shadows last week to accept a prestigious national award for its Harbour Rise Estate at Hillarys.

It’s not Brian Burke’s Panama hat that is causing so much trouble in Western Australia these days. It’s something far simpler – it’s the letter ‘b’ itself.

Small businesses are not often targeted by not-for-profit organisations seeking corporate partnerships, yet the smaller end of town has much to offer, according to many in the NFP sector.

David Coomer has some exciting changes in store for diners at his popular Star Anise restaurant in Shenton Park.

Five years after leaving engine technology company Orbital Corporation, Kim Schlunke has reached a major milestone at his new privately-owned venture, Entecho.

I very much appreciate state opposition leader Paul Omodei focusing attention back on the Perth foreshore.

The 24-hour cafe institution, Oriel Brasserie, will re-open next month.

Strong attendance figures have delivered record figures for this year’s UWA Perth International Arts Festival, which is set to take more than $3.5 million at the box office when its film festival draws to a close next month.

It’s common for those living in parliamentary democracies to forget most of their accomplished figures.

With uncertainty surrounding the future of non-forestry managed investment schemes, promoters are expecting an increase in MIS project sales this year.

The federal government’s February 6 announcement that the ATO would cease issuing product rulings for non-forestry managed investment schemes after July 1, thereby removing the 100 per cent up-front tax deduction, sent shockwaves through the industry.

As the sector’s dominant player, agribusiness investment manager Great Southern Ltd is used to successfully weathering legislative storms. And the latest ATO tax challenge for non-forestry MIS will be no different, according to executive director and gene

The current decision to end managed investment scheme involvement in any industry bar forestry has significant repercussions for rural Australia, not to mention the legion of city-based corporate types who have lived well off this system.

Watershed Premium Wines managing director Geoff Barrett said his company would turn to foreign investment to continue in its push to plant a total 240 hectares of vineyards.

Mud was slung, and some stuck to Santo Santoro this week, while Matt Birney pondered the state of his curtains and a Senate committee stymied plans for an Access Card. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister went to Afghanistan - which was possibly a safer place.

Bassendean-based Total Catering Solutions has secured the largest contract in the company's history after signing a $30 million deal with a national fast food organisation which will run for five years.

This week, as a treat for its reader, Briefcase wanted to declare this page a Burke-free zone.

Sailing on the Leeuwin II has provided many high school students in Western Australia with a fairly inexpensive adventure over the years, principally due to the generosity of the ship’s sponsors.

Former Sheraton executive chef Fritz Hansal says the service dished up at many Western Australian restaurants is poor. But he thinks that presents him with an enormous opportunity.

Russell Blaikie - Chef/partner, Must Winebar

Sydney-based mobile phone retailer Planet Com is expanding into Western Australia through an exclusive dealer arrangement with Vodafone to open four branded outlets by June.

Despair, despondency, dejection. Pick any of these ‘d’ words and it will describe the mood within the parliamentary wing of the state Liberal Party. The reason is obvious.

Astute readers will have noted my absence during the past few weeks.

R MARINE dealer principal Brendon Grieve created a bit of a stir when he ran an ad for his Riviera and Princess yachts recently.