Mark Beyer

THERE is only a handful of venture capital firms with a permanent on-the-ground presence in Perth.

VENTURE capital has played a critical role in the growth of some of Western Australia’s best-known companies.

AFTER more than two years of reviews and planning, the reform of Western Australia’s electricity industry is starting to get under way.

A NATIONAL survey designed to find the employers of choice in the accounting industry has failed to deliver any good news for local firms.

THE administrator of Ian Diffen World of Tyres & Mufflers has closed its Spearwood store as he moves toward a sale or capital injection for the business.

WESTERN Australia’s venture capital industry is experiencing a burst of change, with two local venture capital providers restructuring their business and a ‘business angels’ group holding its first Perth meeting.

In the first of a series on raising equity finance, Mark Beyer assesses the various alternatives.

THE State Government’s grand tax reform plans started with a whimper rather than a bang this week after several key initiatives were delayed.

A MANAGEMENT buyout is the acquisition of an existing business by an alliance between management and private equity financiers. More than 50 MBOs have occurred in Australia between 1987 and 2002.

A new study has highlighted the many benefits flowing from management buyouts. Mark Beyer reports on a little known Perth company that has been thriving since completing its MBO.

Major changes to Western Australia’s tax laws are due to come in soon. Mark Beyer investigates some of the issues surrounding these.

THE new State secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia is expected to push for a hardline stance on industrial issues. Socialist Alliance member Chris Cain, who headed the Rank and File ticket, clearly defeated incumbent Wal Pritchard.

THE transport and retail industries are possible targets for the Western Australian Government’s next campaign of checking wages records.

THE Office of State Revenue has experienced a last minute rush by employers accepting its partial payroll tax amnesty.

TAX Commissioner Michael Carmody has signalled a crackdown on the use of service trusts by professional firms such as accountants and lawyers.

In the third of a four-part series on business tax planning, Mark Beyer looks at the new consolidation regime.

The high risks associated with key infrastructure projects have prompted the Western Australian Government to adopt radical contracting arrangements. Mark Beyer reports.

THE Western Australian Government needs to focus on a handful of high potential species if the aquaculture industry is to achieve its full potential, a new report has recommended.

THE growing prominence of the waste management industry has been highlighted by the stockmarket listing of Perth company Organic Resource Technologies.

LARGE proprietary companies have been advised to check whether they need to have their accounts audited.

SIX consortia have lodged expressions of interest to build Main Roads’ next big project, the Roe Highway stage seven extension from South Street to the Kwinana Freeway.

CONSTRUCTION of a 291-room Holiday Inn is scheduled to commence in August after Burswood finalised an agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group.

WAFARMERS has welcomed a new Western Australian Government scheme designed to promote tree farming. The Government has described the Infinitree program as the most complete commercial farm forestry package ever offered to farmers in Australia.

In the second of a four-part series on business tax planning, Mark Beyer looks at the Simplified Tax System.

Private equity funds are targeting the potential upsurge in public-to-private transactions. Mark Beyer reports.

The parking levy that has caused CBD businesses so much pain could soon be extended to the suburbs, however, the Western Australian Government is playing down these suggestions.

STARTRACK Communications is hoping that a move from satellite technology to medical technology will provide a better future for the company.

SENIOR managers at Perth’s largest advertising agency Marketforce are negotiating to acquire 100 per cent ownership of the business.

In the first of a four-part series on business tax planning, Mark Beyer passes on some end-of-financial-year tips. EVERY good accountant will explain that tax planning should commence at the start of the financial year.

THE dreaded fringe benefits tax has finally caught up with West Perth businesses providing parking bays to their staff. Employers caught by the tax now face an extra cost of about $700 per car bay.

MID-SIZED accounting firms with between three and nine partners have outpaced their larger rivals in the profitability stakes, a new industry survey has found.

ANZ Banking Group has established a private equity service in Perth, providing an alternative source of capital for Western Australian businesses.