Mark Pownall

A new book provides a fresh insight into the workings of mining giant BHP-Billiton.

THIS year's City of Perth council election is looking like an increasingly open race, with current councillor Chris Hardy bowing out of contention after one term.

A recent discussion paper throws up some good questions about what we expect from government.

Liquor storeowners believe their nemisis, the supermarkets, have been handed a big victory.

In any democracy, ideas have, in the first instance, to deliver what the people want

Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens has issued a veiled warning about the risks in the housing market – suggesting that if supply doesn’t rise to head off prices it could have disturbing results. This could be read as a subtle dig at the states.

Better usage of our water resources could help spark the development of new industries.

As the digital age dawns, The West’s Chris Wharton dismisses the doomsayers.

CHRIS Wharton has taken on one of the biggest business challenges in Western Australia.

Dealing with China has always been complex, as Rio Tinto knows.

Christmas Island-Phosphate Resources would commit an estimated $50 million and set aside significantly more space as so-called green spots in order to gain approval to expand its operations.

Booze business shows the hypocrisy of regulations used to curtail competition.

A new era of industrial relations has begun, but many believe the system takes Australia back 20 years.

AS the Kevin07 campaign swept Labor into power almost two years ago, Australia's economy was riding high on a commodities and property boom underpinned by cheap debt.

When the economy is the issue, the fight is over how to pay for promises.

EFFORTS to improve Western Australia's record as a home of philanthropists have taken a big step forward with a group seeking to change the state's giving culture winning a $36,700 Lotterywest grant.

A small group of financial advisers has given the industry a bad name.

IS the commercial centre of the Pilbara moving west? BHP Billiton's proposed merger of its iron ore operations with those of Rio Tinto is the latest indication of the dynamic shift under way in the north-west, one that will tend to favour Karratha as the

A PILBARA Port Authority governing the massive export centres of the north-west should one of the results of the proposed iron joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, according to the state opposition.

Red tape hurts business and, ultimately, consumers.

The effects of a BHP Billiton-Rio Tinto JV would be felt all around the world.

RECENTLY appointed Department of Mines and Petroleum director general Richard Sellers might be new to the job but he's already singing from the same song sheet as his minister, Norman Moore.

THE proposed Western Australian iron ore joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto has reignited passions around a long-running issue between the state government and miners - land-rich tax provisions.

There are plenty of opportuities for companies with a good story to sell.

AS the post-state budget debate over critical electricity supply to the growth region of the Mid West continues, the state government's backing of the Oakajee port is attracting new interest in power generation investment in the resurgent minerals provinc

THERE is an interesting collection of businesspeople who wield influence in government due to their roles as board members of major corporatised agencies.

The idea of a big urban development in the north-west appears to be gaining traction.

Money and power go hand in hand, especially in a global financial crisis.

WENDY Duncan is a name few Western Australians would be able to place, yet ask political observers who's who in the state's parliamentary jungle and her name comes up time and time again.

THE battle over energy in Western Australia has taken another twist with a consortium dominated by mining companies asking the government to set more stringent conditions on another resources project.

WHEN Celebrate WA announced Western Australia's Citizen of Year awards for 2009 two weekends ago the presence of the University of Western Australia would not have escaped the attention of many.

IN a capital-starved world those businesses that continue to invest stand out more than ever before.