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
Mike Young has been confirmed as the new chief executive of Energy and Minerals Australia as a condition of a deal to secure more debt funding for the uranium explorer.
Agribusiness Ruralco Holdings has agreed to buy Perth-founded water management retailer Total Eden Holdings for $57.4 million from Anchorage Capital Partners.
Fortescue Metals Group has appointed the BAM Clough joint venture to design and construct a fifth iron ore loading berth at its Anderson Point facility in Port Hedland.
Poseidon Nickel is in negotiations to treat ore from its Mt Windarra mine at a third-party facility, allowing it to postpone the high cost of building a new plant of its own.
Nickel miner Mincor Resources has declared a dividend to shareholders despite posting a narrow half-year loss on the back of sustained nickel price weakness.
Jacka Resources says it hasn't given up hopes of a potential friendly takeover by Tangiers Petroleum, despite terminating a bid implementation agreement for the deal.
A three-month battle to keep Forge Group afloat has come to a sudden end, with administrators and receivers called in to manage the company's assets after financier ANZ Banking Group withdrew support for the engineering contractor.
Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has renewed her push to include the complete Burswood peninsula within the City of Perth, arguing the Barnett government's preferred local government boundary changes dimish the city's importance.
Construction and development firm Diploma Group has been fined by the corporate watchdog for failing to comply with its continuous disclosure obligations.
Nickel producer Western Areas has upgraded its production guidance and lowered its forecast cash costs amid hopes of an improvement in the persistently soft nickel price.
Paladin Energy has placed its Kayelekera mine in Malawi on care and maintenance, saying operations at the mine are no longer sustainable in light of the depressed uranium market.
Perth businessman Allen Caratti is set to gain control of a forestry investment trust previously held by Elders after the trust's shareholders approved the deal.
Reed Resources has announced a $26 million write-down following the collapse of a potential sale by the administrators of the company's Meekatharra gold project.
Toll Group has been awarded a $90 million contract to design, construct and operate an offshore logistics base in Darwin for INPEX's Ichthys liquefied natural gas project.
The state government has signed a $2.2 million marketing deal with discount airline Jetstar as it looks to attract more interstate and overseas visitors.
Struggling miner Reed Resources has agreed to sell its Comet Vale gold project to a private bidder for $2 million, about a third of the price offered by Crest Minerals in its terminated bid for the project last year.
Perth has overtaken Sydney to record the most expensive residential land value per square metre of all major capital cities, fuelling concerns that land supply is not keeping up with market demand.
Treasurer Troy Buswell has admitted the Barnett government showed a lack of "political ticker" by reversing a number of unpopular savings measures just days after the release of last year's state budget.
West Leederville is becoming a development hot spot, with Finbar Group entering a joint venture for a $90 million apartment project located near three new commercial buildings.
The Environmental Protection Authority has appointed three delegates to assess the environmental impact of the state government's proposed Browse liquefied natural gas precinct.
Tangiers Petroleum's friendly takeover bid for Jacka Resources appears to be in doubt following the resignation of Tangiers executive chairman Eve Howell, citing the loss of support of several major shareholders.
Former federal treasurer Peter Costello has been named chairman of the Future Fund, while Perth business leader John Poynton has been appointed as a member of the board.
Clean power company Enerji has announced it plans to develop a full-scale waste heat-to-power plant in the Pilbara following the completion last year of a pilot plant in Carnarvon.
Calibre Group subsidiary Brown Consulting has acquired New Zealand-based engineering firm Spiire NZ for $NZ1.9 million ($1.75 million) from Downer as it continues efforts to diversify into new markets.
Northern Star Resources has confirmed it will enter into a hedging program for almost a third of its forecast gold production over the next 12 months as concerns over price volatility continue to linger across the sector.
With Treasury chief Tim Marney departing for a role in the mental health sector, the Barnett government faces the task of finding permanent senior executives for several key departments.
Toro Energy has revised the start-up capital cost for its Wiluna uranium project to $315.6 million, a figure which represents an increase of almost $47 million from its original estimate.
New home sales in Western Australia increased by 11 per cent in 2013 but housing experts say construction levels still haven't caught up with pent-up demand.
