Mark Beyer

SPECIAL REPORT: There has been a major shift in business influence in WA amid waning international investment and, with two elections on the way, there is a prospect of even bigger changes in political influence. Click through to see our listing of WA's most infliential leaders in politics and business.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss LNG, gold, Freo Ports, and who is most influential in WA.

Population growth rates have fallen in Western Australia and across the country as a whole, with WA experiencing a sharp drop in overseas migration and a net loss of people through interstate migration.

The Supreme Court has appointed a receiver to take charge of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in the lead-up to a general meeting set for next month to settle a long-running dispute with a breakaway organisation backed by Fortescue Metals Group.

Programmed Maintenance Services will provide infrastructure maintenance services to seven state government agencies under a contract potentially worth up to $1.5 billion.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum has put on hold its multi-billion dollar Browse liquefied natural gas project in view of the challenging market environment.

Chevron’s $55 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project has finally shipped its first cargo, two weeks after production commenced at the first of three gas processing trains.

In this Business News podcast Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss Sodexo, Labor leadership, CBH, Sam Walsh, TAB and tourism.

Investment banking giant Credit Suisse has dealt a blow to the state government’s hopes of a big windfall from the privatisation of Western Australia’s TAB, revising its value estimate down by at least 65 per cent to under $250 million.

Minter Ellison is set to expand its service offering in Western Australia after recruiting the human resources and industrial relations practice from a competing law firm.

French company Sodexo is set to become one of the biggest service providers in the Pilbara after signing a $2.5 billion contract to manage all of Rio Tinto’s mine camps and other facilities for 10 years.

The Pacific National rail business and the Patrick container terminal business are set to come under new ownership after Asciano agreed to a $9.05 billion takeover deal that is designed to sidestep regulatory concerns.

Past winners of the Business News Rising Stars growth companies awards have continued to make news, particularly those with private backing.

CBH Group is planning to launch a full review of its cooperative structure after formally rejecting a proposal from Australian Grains Champion to corporatise and list the business on the ASX.

The challenge to WA Labor leader Mark McGowan looks all but over, after the shadow cabinet expressed unanimous support and called on Stephen Smith to withdraw immediately.

The state government has defended its oversight of motor racing in WA following accusations of anti-competitive behaviour.

Former federal minister Stephen Smith declared on Sunday he was prepared to take over the leadership of the state Labor Party, but was roundly criticised by supporters of current leader Mark McGowan.

Coming up in this podcast we discuss iron ore’s surge, FMG’s new deal, Gorgon, Luke Saraceni and 40under40.

Anthony Janssen has had a relatively short but eventful business career, with some stumbles on his way to building the successful Margaret River Hospitality Group.

The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, which has been mired in years of controversy, has been referred to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations after the Supreme Court found it did not have validly appointed directors.

Privately owned Perth company Eclipse Resources is facing a bill of more than $10.5 million after losing a challenge to the state government’s landfill levy.

Crown Resorts chairman Robert Rankin has called on the state government to do more to activate the city and Swan Valley so that international tourists can spend a full three or four days in and around Perth.

Six-and-a-half years after Chevron started development of Australia’s single largest resources project, the $US54 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant has commenced production, though it is by no means complete.

Fortescue Metals Group and Brazilian competitor Vale are looking to reshape the iron ore market, announcing this morning plans for Vale to invest in FMG's mining operations and for the two companies to form a joint venture to sell blended ore into China.

Coming up in this podcast: Perth homes prices, tourism, mining approvals, and markets round-up.

BC Iron is cutting more workers and contractors at its Nullagine project after its joint venture partner Fortescue Metals Group decided to not buy low-grade iron ore stockpiled at the mine.

Local communications and lobbying firm Cannings Purple has boosted its team by signing up former Environmental Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel and former state Liberal leader Matt Birney.

Fast-growing digital media company Migme has raised $7 million through a share placement to a Chinese app developer, taking its total capital raisings since listing two years ago to $36 million.

Bayswater company Capital is developing a major new facility at Henderson that it believes will reaffirm its status as the state’s major recycler of construction and demolition waste, while also opening up opportunities in other waste streams.

Perth-based wearable technology company Nuheara has enjoyed a bright start to trading on the ASX, with investors in its $3.5 million capital raising sitting on big gains today.

The Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation plans to seek private partners to fund an expansion of its irrigated farming operation near Derby after the state government granted an option for freehold tenure over its land.

Hong Kong-based Brockman Mining has scored another legal victory in its long-running battle to gain access to railways built by Fortescue Metals Group’s infrastructure subsidiary.