Mark Beyer

Finbar Group is on the lookout for new opportunities in the Pilbara, despite selling less than half the apartments in its most recent project in Karratha.

A recent report on R&D spending in Australia sheds interesting light on the perennial debate over this country’s competitive future.

The big gains in Perth residential property prices in the first half of 2013 have come to a screeching halt over the past few months, but the adjustment in Perth pales next to the big falls in the Pilbara.

The lines defining management consulting are becoming increasingly blurred as the sector adapts to a leaner market.

Calibre Group co-founder Ray Munro has agreed to take an executive role at Viento Group, where he will work alongside contracting veterans John Farrell and John Silverthorne.

Struggling engineering contractor VDM Group has unveiled a recapitalisation proposal that involves some of its creditors being paid in shares, and warned the company may be placed in administration if the package does not proceed.

The former chief executive of law firm Talbot Olivier has questioned the corporatised business model adopted by his old employer, after taking up a new role at Hotchkin Hanly.

Company directors must be getting nervous after watching the voting patterns at recent annual meetings.

Four of Perth’s iconic sporting and community venues are going through major planning and redevelopment projects – but that’s where the similarities end.

The state government has changed a key aspect of its metropolitan freight strategy, scrapping one of three rail projects designed to reduce the number of freight trucks servicing Fremantle harbour.

A major reform package for Western Australia’s ports will take away the entitlement of major port customers to a seat on the port authority boards, and allow the ports to operate 24 hours a day.

Australia's inflation rate was higher than expected in the September quarter, prompting economists to review whether the Reserve Bank will agree to any further interest rate cuts.

Mining services group Emeco Holdings has recruited Aurizon executive Ken Lewsey as its new managing director, on a package that will make him one of the top 25 best-paid executives in Perth.

A global business executive provided a good perspective this week on two perennial issues – dealing with change and coping with high costs.

The value of Western Australia's resources industry has fallen slightly from last year's record level, but has still topped $100 billion for the third consecutive year.

Business News' annual export review charts the state’s reliance on a handful of major companies and commodities, despite the emergence of new players.

Sino Gas & Energy Holdings has reported an increase in reserves and resources for its production sharing contracts in China.

Alumina producer Alcoa of Australia has revealed it's cutting dozens of jobs from its local operations and pushing all of its contractors to slash their rates by 12 per cent.

Nothing beats real-life examples to illustrate the costly and debilitating effect of the bureaucratic process.

Macmahon Holdings has written to shareholders urging them to vote in favour of the company’s remuneration report, to ensure it does not incur a ‘second strike’.

Broome Port Authority has secured Royalties for Regions funding for an upgrade that will bolster its ability to compete with Darwin as a supply base for offshore oil and gas projects.

Property developer Paul Blackburne is finalising plans for a major apartment development in Swanbourne, after completing the purchase of a site on Alfred Road.

Pay cuts, some up to 50 per cent, were the order of the day in the Business News quarterly CEO salary survey, but not all companies have been on trend.

The strong growth in RCR Tomlinson's share price has delivered windfall gains for chief executive Paul Dalgleish, who exercised another batch of share options today.

The search for growth industries beyond mining is a perennial topic of debate in Australia.

The Brian Gilberston-led Jupiter Mines plans to seek a delisting of its shares from the Australian Securities Exchange, after its major shareholder lifted its stake in the business.

The sale of 16 private businesses worth an estimated $500 million helped to sustain activity in what was otherwise a depressed market for mergers and acquisitions in the September quarter in Western Australia.

Western Australia’s payroll tax system is one of the most onerous in the country, according to a review by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has advocated major reform of transfer duties and payroll tax.

It will be fascinating to see where Economic Regulation Authority chairman Lyndon Rowe takes his inquiry into micro-economic reform.

Sandy MacKellar and Chris Glass’s counter-cyclical approach to property investing has delivered high returns during the past 20 years.

The Fremantle Dockers’ on-field success has delivered a pay-day for its supporters and corporate sponsors.

The state government was caught by surprise last week when ratings agency Standard & Poor's cut Western Australia's long-term rating from AAA to AA+.