Jessica Shaw

The state government appears to be continuing to back away from plans to introduce increased competition in electricity retailing, with Economics and Industry Committee chair Jessica Shaw saying she’d like to see more evidence it would reduce prices.

More than a third of visitors to Western Australia who used Airbnb said they would never have had a holiday if it wasn’t for the online home-share platform, the company asserted today, as it fought back against criticism by Tourism Council WA and the Australian Hotels Association.

Industry bodies are divided over a plan to increase regulation of short-stay accommodation providers such as Airbnb, with Tourism Council WA and the Australian Hotels Association among supporters of the proposed rules.

UPDATED: The state government has said it will adopt most of the recommendations arising from a parliamentary inquiry into short-term accommodation, with Tourism Council WA and the Australian Hotels Association WA welcoming the pledge to apply more stringent regulation to the sector.

Architects have been major beneficiaries of the state government’s COVID-19 stimulus, with a host of firms securing contracts to redesign public schools in recent months.

For very different reasons, both major political parties in WA have some tough calls to make.

Mark McGowan has expanded the number of members serving as parliamentary secretaries, possibly foreshadowing future ministerial appointments.

What role will unions and factions play in Mark McGowan’s second term?

Dave Kelly has confirmed he will resign as minister, claiming the premier asked him personally to step aside to make way for more women in cabinet.

ANALYSIS: Factional interests, ambitious backbenchers and demographic representation loom as key considerations for the premier as he mulls over who to promote to cabinet this month.

A pair of high-profile outgoing WA Labor MPs have revealed plans to venture into the world of strategic advisory, forming a climate-focused firm alongside a former PwC partner.