Joe Francis

Bad economic news and some personnel mismanagement are putting pressure on Colin Barnett’s leadership.

A report by the Auditor General has found one in 10 government agency invoices were paid later than the required 30 day period, raising concerns of further pressure on small businesses.

The state government says there are more than $140 million worth of subcontracting opportunities available for the new Perth Stadium, with a tenders process launched today for a wide range of works.

Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry chief executive Kitty Prodonovich has been appointed chair of the Small Business Development Corporation.

Helping small business is turning into a bigger business for a handful of service providers selected to run the state government’s SME advisory network, which is about to go through a large and, in places, contentious restructure.

Western Australia is set to celebrate its first small business day after a group of volunteers decided it was time to recognise the contribution of the more than 210,000 small businesses that operate in the state.

Federal and state electoral boundary redistributions can cause havoc in party ranks.

The state is considering shifting control of industrial relations to the Commonwealth, in an effort to make it easier for small businesses to negotiate on issues such as penalty rates.

Deputy Premier Kim Hames will stand down from that role in February next year, but will remain as minister for health and tourism as he prepares for his retirement from politics at the 2017 state election.

The state government has appointed the former head of the Victorian Country Fire Authority to lead an extensive inquiry into the Yarloop bushfire.

Treasurer Mike Nahan will not contest the deputy leadership of the state Liberal party, paving the way for Police Minister Liza Harvey, who is likely to be voted in unopposed.

The premier’s ‘follow-me’ style makes his performance in the lead-up to the next state poll vital for the government’s chances of re-election.

Managing the state’s economic transition was the main focus of today’s cabinet reshuffle, Premier Colin Barnett said, with tourism and agriculture in his sights as key growth industries.

The gap between the state’s minimum wage and the national floor should be reduced to prevent putting low-paid workers at risk of job losses, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA’s submission to the upcoming state wage case.

Perth property developer Nigel Satterley insists Mike Nahan was seeking to oust Colin Barnett until "sensible people brought it into the open".

Aldi continues to gear up for the June opening of its first four Perth stores, with its $60 million distribution centre in Jandakot receiving stock and Western Australian producers lining up to supply the fast-growing supermarket chain.

State Development Minister Bill Marmion has told protestors outside parliament that the environmental watchdog would review the government’s plan to extend the buffer zone around the Kwinana industrial area.

The GST’s corrective measures will boost WA’s financial position in coming years, if the current system remains unchanged.

State National Party MPs met at Parliament House today as former leader Brendon Grylls tried to retake the leadership from Terry Redman, claiming the Liberal/National alliance was not in a winnable position for the upcoming state election due in March.

Serco will likely lose its contract to provide security and custodial services to courts in Western Australia, after Broadspectrum was named preferred proponent for the tendered contract today.

The state government will establish a rural fire service in response to January's deadly bushfires at Yarloop, but it won't be ready in time for this summer.

The state government has officially hired Broadspectrum to provide security and custodial services to Western Australia from next year, under a $235.8 million contract previously held by Serco.

OPINION: With the hot days of summer now upon us, many Western Australians might be confused about how safe it is to head to the beach, given the state government’s mixed messages on the threat posed by sharks.

Western Australia's Liberal MPs are considering a new leader to replace Colin Barnett after the weekend's crushing election defeat.

ANALYSIS: Outgoing Liberal minister Joe Francis, who appears to have lost his seat of Jandakot, says Colin Barnett should have been replaced as premier last year to improve the government’s re-election prospects.

The state government's decision to abandon a planned $600 million prison and instead reduce inmate numbers has been criticised by the Liberal opposition, while prison officers have backed the proposal.