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Margaret River-based MadFish Wines will host the first outdoor screening of the 2006 TropFest, the world's largest short film festival.

The ranks of those who doubted Andrew Forrest's vision of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd becoming the third force in Australian iron ore are growing noticeably thinner.

Andrew Forrest's company structure and management style is steeped in his outback upbringing.

Andrew Forrest is without doubt one of Western Australia's most intriguing characters. I had the great pleasure to hear Mr Forrest speak last week at one of WA Business News's Success and Leadership events, and it was a great opportunity to gain insight

Almost certainly three years from last, this, or next Saturday, will be next election day, since February Saturdays have become the traditional poll days in Western Australia.

Hands up anyone who expects the stock market to rise between now and Christmas?

Peter Laurance's private company, Pivot Group, has varied its offer for Nedlands-based Axiom Properties Ltd with Pivot offering a new deal, with a big boost to the options package it would take to as much as $28 million.

Cutting taxes, improving infrastructure and tackling the skills crisis should be the top priorities for the Carpenter government, a survey of Western Australian business leaders by WA Business News has found.

Business leaders in Western Australia have applauded Premier Alan Carpenter's decision to establish a science and innovation ministry, which has been handed to up and coming minister, Francis Logan.

A decisive shift in the Labor Party's Western Australian factions has played a key role in dictating the momentous political changes of the past month.

Perth's CBD office vacancy rate has plummeted to 5.8 per cent, effectively signalling a full office market, and with no major new supply under construction, the tight office environment is expected to continue for at least two more years.

Mandurah's strong growth has continued with the completion of stage one of the $40 million Seashells Mandurah Resort and settlement pending on the first 79 apartments.

It's a little hard to believe but Perth is half way through summer. And while the comparatively cool weather may have caught some venues unaware, the timing and temperature are perfect for the Swan Valley's Midsummer Feast.

The Swan Valley Regional Winemakers Association recently announced Arch Kosovich as its new president.

The finger pointing by all those involved in the Westpoint Group debacle would almost be humorous if so much money was not at stake.

The last State Scene for 2005 highlighted the ways major political parties make it excruciatingly difficult for their candidates to be unseated by Independents.

It's not often you can easily pick the best or worst investment on the stock market. Right now, however, the worst stands out like sore thumb.

Wentworth Mutual Ltd's strategy to expand is gaining momentum with the listed property manager acquiring the property management business of Australian Finance Group Ltd.

Western Australia's wine industry rests uncomfortably on the horns of a dilemma – more grapes than its wine production can use. The quest for new markets and better quality to soak up the excess is on.

The big end of Western Australia's wine industry has changed dramatically in the past year or so, reflecting the state's domination by mid-sized producers who often suffer most when the squeeze is on.

It's not all bad news for the smaller producers of Western Australia, but there appears to be a strong case for a change in thinking.

The wine industry's woes are not self-inflicted and are an important example of what happens when government decisions start distorting business in an unhealthy way.

Despite some people contending otherwise there was, from the moment Geoff Gallop resigned, never any doubt that Alan Carpenter would become premier.

Australia's great grape glut is causing wine producers no end of pain. But in Western Australia there seems to be a variation emerging on that theme – the great grape shortage.

January 29 marked Chinese New Year as the year 4,704 began on the Chinese calendar and the Year of the Dog was ushered in.

Amberley Estate, one of Margaret River's most dynamic producers, is highlighting this summer's food and wine scene with a semillon and seafood match.

The Commodore Hotel on Hay Street has continued its multi-million dollar renovation with the completion of a new restaurant – the Armada Bar and Grill.

Two Perth office buildings may soon be placed on the market, with unit holders in the May Holman Centre and 111 St Georges Terrace (formerly the AXA building) being asked to vote on their stake in the buildings' future.

A market increase in the number of commercial sales conducted off-market is a noticeable feature of the recent profusion of activity in this sector of the market.

Hossean Pourzand has quietly become one of the CBD's biggest individual office owners, preferr-ing to keep his business activities below the radar but acquiring assets over the ye

Shares in BankWest, the Perth-based regional bank which was bought by Bank of Scotland for $A900 million last year, made a strong debut on the Australian stock market, going to an immediate 22 per

Simulator-based medical skills training centre Clinical Training and Education Centre (CTEC) will undergo a change in its ownership structure with the University of Western Australia seizing full ownership from joint venture partners, which include Perth