Landgate

The state government has been encouraged to follow the lead of NSW and South Australia and privatise its land registry agency, Landgate, which posted a net profit of $20.1 million last financial year.

The state government has revised its budget deficit for the current financial year to a record $2.6 billion but insists the budget outlook has improved while also confirming it has added Landgate to its list of potential asset sales.

The state government has selected investment bank Investec as its commercial adviser on land registry agency Landgate, adding to speculation it is a likely privatisation target.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt said today the government was still working on the proposed sale of land registry service Landgate and gaming agency TAB.

The ASX has announced it will spend $30 million over the next three years to set up an electronic property settlement business with tech company InfoTrack that will compete with sole player PEXA.

The state government will partially privatise title registry agency Landgate in a move expected to raise at least $640 million, with the money to be used to fund the state's share of the National Redress Scheme for child abuse victims.

Landgate chief executive Jodi Cant has been appointed as the new director general of the Department of Finance, but the state government is still looking for a permanent boss for the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

The Victorian government has sealed a $2.86 billion deal to lease that state’s land registry for 40 years, giving an idea of how much Western Australia’s government may expect from a similar, but smaller, privatisation under way locally.

The state government has chosen Investec to advise on the partial privatisation of Landgate, a day after the agency's Victorian equivalent sold for $2.9 billion.

WA organisations as varied as Landgate, RAC and Bankwest are becoming case studies for corporate innovation.

The state government is set to receive nearly $190 million by selling its stake in online settlements company Property Exchange Australia.

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: WA companies have been on the receiving end of nearly every major takeover completed during the past two decades, with Wesfarmers a notable exception. This article is part of a special series to mark Business News' 25-year anniversary.

PwC has joined KPMG, BIS Oxford Economics and Investec in winning advisory work on the partial privatisation of Landgate – with each adviser securing increasingly large contracts.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mathias Cormann has been deeply entwined in the federal government’s fortunes this year, while a win on GST distribution has boosted standing for Mark McGowan and Ben Wyatt.

The state government has hit a key milestone in the partial privatisation of Landgate, seeking a private sector operator to undertake automated land titling transactions.

Consulting and corporate advisory firm Mainsheet Capital is planning to accelerate its growth after key people at predecessor firm Mainsheet Corporate were reunited.

WA BUDGET: There are at least two parties interested in buying the TAB, with the state government committing to put part of the money raised towards replacing King Edward Memorial Hospital.

The McGowan government has inked its biggest privatisation deal yet, with Landgate’s titles register to be operated by a consortium including industry superannuation funds and a Macquarie Group fund, in a deal worth $1.4 billion.

Azure Capital, Canaccord Genuity and DLA Piper were among the most active advisers on corporate finance deals in 2019.

Former Woodside executive Robert Cole has been appointed chair of Landgate's board for a three-year term.

A dedicated strata helpline, addressing building defects, and lowering insurance for strata-titled properties are at the top of Strata Community Association’s state election wish list.

The state government has officially handed over its Landgate building to Georgiou Capital for $17.3 million, the first project to be settled under its market-led proposals policy.

Greater transparency is on the way for the government's contentious market-led proposal process.

The proposed sale price is more than $60 million less than what Challenger paid for the asset in 2013.

Withholding information about stamp duty paid on the $17.3 million sale of the Landgate building was not reasonable or appropriate, according to the state’s auditor general.

Perth architect and Rothelowman principal Kylee Schoonens will lead the state government’s Landgate board as chair, taking over from Iluka Resources chair Rob Cole.

With a background in mechanical engineering, Akkodis global president Jan Gupta brings a different perspective to the tech sector.

Perth company Kinetic IT has won a major contract with state government agency Landgate valued at $84.9 million.

IT services company Akkodis Australia Consulting has extended its relationship with WA government agency Landgate by winning a major contract to provide managed applications support services.

Trish Scully has been revealed as the new chief executive for state government agency Landgate, commencing a five-year term from September 2.

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Phil Thick, Fabian Ross, Rachel Griffiths, Mark McGowan, Amy Lomas, Trish Scully and Michael Walshe.