During his two years at Business News, Michael covered public policy issues, with a broad interest in the relationship between business and politics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Western Australia. michael.ramsey@businessnews.com.au
STATE opposition leader Mark McGowan has sought to distance himself from the struggling Gillard government in the lead up to the March 9 state election, as the federal Liberal Party launched an att
PERTH businessman Paul Underwood says a prolonged dispute with the Department of Water over compulsorily acquired freehold land has burdened his family with extensive legal costs and left them with
THE state’s political leaders have spruiked their transport credentials ahead of the March 9 state election, with Wednesday’s issuing of the writs marking the official start of the campaign.
The state Liberal party has been the main beneficiary of donations from Western Australian business over the past year, new campaign finance data reveals.
Western Australia’s peak business group has challenged both sides of politics to permanently increase the payroll tax threshold, hand over control of energy prices to an independent regulator and c
Housing industry experts have predicted Western Australia’s property turnover will return to its long-term average in 2013 but warned the rental market would remain tight, and called on the state g
THE disruption, inconvenience and expense of home improvement projects is leading potential renovators to think outside of the box, with European-style modular home extensions emerging in Perth sub
The nation’s peak industry group has applauded the federal government’s reinstatement of incentive payments for employers taking on first-year apprentices to engineering trades.
Perth has defied a national downturn in residential land sales, recording a 12 per cent increase in sales in the metropolitan region for the September quarter.
Subiaco-based Balamara Resources has secured listed West Perth phosphate company Minemakers and Indian fertiliser producer Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation as strategic partners in
The state government will seek proposals from industry for the design and construction of a new underground bus station to replace the Wellington Street Bus Station, which will be sunk as part of t
Iron ore remains Western Australia’s most valuable sector despite ongoing price volatility and uncertainty, accounting for almost two-thirds of total resources sales in 2011-12, a new report has fo
High school students will be required to meet minimum literacy and numeracy standards in order to graduate, under reforms to the state's education system announced by the Barnett government today.&
Perth-based mineral drilling firm Swick Mining Services has announced a record unaudited half-year revenue of $75.6 million as it prepares to expand further into North America.
WESTERN Australia’s high overseas migration rates, ageing population, and shortage of skilled workers have been identified as major planning challenges in the government’s new State Planning Strate
The state government is expected to raise $10 million from the sale of a 1,500 square metre parcel of prime riverfront land at the edge of the heritage-listed Sunset Hospital site in Dalkeith.
Retirement property group Ingenia Communities has expanded its presence in the Peel region, announcing the off-market purchase of a 44-unit rental village in Mandurah for $2.8 million.
First home buyers who jointly purchase a property with a private company are still eligible for the state government’s First Home Owners Grant, in light of a ruling by the State Administrative Trib
Atlas Iron says it is on track to meet its near-term targeted annual production rate of 12 million tonnes, with production commencing at its Mt Dove mine and pre-strip mining and earthworks underwa
West Perth-based Haranga Resources has lined up a $6 million share placement to support the continued development of its flagship Selenge iron ore project in Mongolia.
CONSTRUCTION of nearly 100,000 square metres of office space is under way in Perth’s near-city suburbs, with the start of work on a 15,000sqm complex in Herdsman Business Park.
Health director general Kim Snowball has tendered his resignation, saying that the demands of the job had taken a toll on his personal and family life.
PREMIER Colin Barnett and the Chamber of Mnerals and Energy of Western Australia have both criticised the federal government’s failure to follow through on a deal with the states to cut ‘green tape
THE State Administrative Tribunal has ruled that being convicted of breaching the Fair Trading Act and being charged by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is not sufficient reason
ST JOHN of God Health Care is making its move on the Peel region, signalling its desire to take over the troubled Peel Health Campus if the state government puts the hospital to tender.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she wasn't willing to hand environmental approval powers to the states for fear it would create a "dalmatian dog" of legal risk and uncertainty for business.
Wolf Minerals' major shareholder Resource Capital Funds has agreed to provide a 12-month funding package worth up to US$82 million (A$79 million) to support continued work on the Hemerdon tungsten
