Tony Simpson

Tony Simpson new Aurex MD   TONY Simpson has been appointed managing director of Aurex Consolidated Limited, which is soon to be renamed Terra Gold Mining Limited.

THE near certainty of a Coalition government being elected in September, and the single-handed control of state leader Colin Barnett, have reshaped Western Australia's 2013 Most Influential list – squeezing out other state ministers (bar Troy Buswell) from our top echelon.

Business News for Western Australia. Tuesday July 30. Jessica Taylor reports. City councils to merge. Pan Asian snares WD Moore & Co. Keith Gordon resigns from Emeco Holdings and more.

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

The state government has finalised its preferred model for local council reform, putting forward new boundaries that would cut the number of metropolitan councils by half to 15 - one more than under proposals released in July.

The entrepreneurial talents of Tony Loxton, founder of Digital Dialogue, were recognised last night when he was named First Amongst Equals in front an audience of 980 people at the 2014 40under40 awards.

The state government is looking at new ways to stoke tourism-related development on Western Australia’s coastline, with the Abrolhos Islands and Coral Bay identified as priority areas.

Legal action launched by three metropolitan area councils against Local Government Minister Tony Simpson is a ‘disappointing, last-ditch attempt’ to derail the merger process, the Property Council of Australia says.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson has used a speech to the Western Australian Local Government Association AGM to urged councils to reform and harmonise regulations across the state.

Colin Barnett’s determined push to cut the number of local councils is a great example of how out of touch politicians are with public opinion.

The government’s plans for local council amalgamations have met strong opposition from some quarters, but not the big end of town.

The state government will legislate to include the University of Western Australia, Kings Park, the QEII Medical Centre and the City of Vincent in the City of Perth, but will not include the Burswood Peninsula after that proposal was rejected by the independent Local Government Advisory Board.

Local government minister Tony Simpson has suspended the Shire of York's president and councillors for six months and has appointed former South Perth mayor James Best to oversee the local council.

Colin Barnett is in for his biggest test as premier in 2015, as mounting financial woes threaten to drain his political capital.

UPDATE: The Western Australian Local Government Association has called on the state government to abandon its local council amalgamations,  saying the process has become unravelled in the wake of three merger proposals being rejected after residents were polled over the weekend.

The state government has passed the onus for reform onto local government authorities, with boundary adjustments only set to proceed if they are backed by the councils involved.

Much has been made of Colin Barnett’s decision to run up the white flag after referendum results in three local government areas, which rejected council amalgamation proposals. It was a humiliating result for a key government reform, strongly promoted by the premier.

Neither the premier nor his minister ever provided evidence to support their council amalgamation plan.

After failing to implement its council amalgamation plan, the government is targeting funding arrangements.

Lisa Scaffidi is no stranger to the responsibilities of public office, which is why the imbroglio currently surrounding her is so perplexing.

The premier may be lining up for a second dig at local government reform.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson says he's aware Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi is threatening to resign in the face of another inquiry into her conduct.

The state government will be glad to put 2015 behind it, but there will be no let up in the financial and portfolio challenges it will face next year.

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.

A report into Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi's travel scandal is in its final stages and will be released publicly, Local Government Minister Tony Simpson says.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi could face proceedings in the State Administrative Tribunal after a report tabled in parliament alleged that she failed to declare travel and gifts up to 45 times over seven years.

Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi says she doesn't fear a possible leadership challenge.

Colin Barnett says he is confident he has the support to continue as premier if there is a leadership spill this week, following the resignation of ministers Dean Nalder and Tony Simpson over the weekend.

Colin Barnett has seen off an attempted spill motion at today’s party room meeting by 31 votes to 15, emerging with what he claimed was a united Liberal team after a ‘therapeutic’ exercise.

Bill Marmion will pick up the transport portfolio in a minor cabinet reshuffle that also includes the introduction of two new ministers; Paul Miles and Mark Lewis.

Uncertainty about the direction of the government and its leadership is likely to persist despite the premier’s win last week.

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.