This Month
Perth business elite will back Libs over Chaney: Barnett
Perth’s business elite have grown tired of teal independent Kate Chaney, former premier Colin Barnett believes.
February
Running the rule over four years of total Labor dominance
With a parliamentary majority and a budget bottom line any politician would envy, critics say WA Premier Roger Cook has missed a chance to embark on meaningful reform.
October 2024
Gina Rinehart buys Peter Dutton’s table for Perth party
The list of things the opposition leader has to be thankful for Rinehart keeps getting longer.
May 2024
Why Dutton risks losing WA sentiment
Peter Dutton’s rejection of production tax credits for critical minerals processing is risking support in several must-win seats in Western Australia.
GST and gas show a government that’s still out of tune
A huge GST handout to WA and a report that gives a free pass to the state’s gas industry show how far parochial toadying in the west will go.
The instigator of WA’s GST deal says it is failing
Colin Barnett says there was no need for the prime minister to lift WA’s minimum GST “floor” from 70¢ to 75¢ in the dollar, as is set to occur from July.
March 2024
Why the GST fiasco won’t be fixed
Fights about the distribution of GST revenue aren’t just about the money – they also reflect the political death of major tax reform. It’s a policy fiasco.
Why WA thinks it’s so special
The December GDP figures underline why West Australians feel their contribution to the nation is underappreciated rather than overpaid.
December 2023
Labor’s bid to fix the NDIS rests on hope
A review of the NDIS has outlined the problems making it unsustainable. Bill Shorten says its recommendations is not about cutting support for those who need it but will improve results.
Both sides are responsible for NDIS failure: Reynolds
Former NDIS Minister Linda Reynold says both major parties are responsible for the failure of the policy, and urges the Albanese government to get on with fixing it.
July 2023
Albanese has no plan B to get the Voice across the line
The Yes campaign is losing the race to persuade more Australians to support the Voice, even thought it started in front.
June 2023
Business leaders take out King’s Birthday honours
Entertainer Barry Humphries, long-time Labor MP Jenny Macklin and medical researchers Caroline Bower and Glenda Halliday topped the awards.
May 2023
Barnett blast: critical minerals sector needs gas, not handouts
Former WA premier Colin Barnett says the Albanese government should not give a dollar to critical minerals companies and instead rethink nonsensical energy policy.
Why WA wants to do this boom differently
Government and business leaders hope future downstream processing of critical minerals could help the state break free from its decades-long cycle of riches to rags.
October 2022
The renewables boom has arrived but coal and gas are creaming it too
Producers of oil and gas are raking in the profits even as the renewables revolution accelerates. How do all these moving parts fit together?
June 2022
Why it’s hard to join the dots in Australia’s energy puzzle
Anthony Albanese and the Energy Security Board are determined to get the states to agree on a capacity mechanism for back-up power, but it’s a tough act.
May 2022
Labor must embrace ‘bottom-up’ politics or risk teal rout: Lawrence
Former WA premier Carmen Lawrence has warned Labor to heed the lessons of the swing against the Coalition, saying people are sick of “top-down” politics.
The ‘teal’ challenge splintering Perth’s blue-ribbon establishment
Political aspirant Kate Chaney’s bid to turn Perth’s blue ribbon seat of Curtin teal is splintering the Perth establishment.
January 2022
Harold Clough farewelled by Perth’s business, political heavies
West Australian leaders such as Michael Chaney, Colin Barnett and John Poynton gathered for the funeral of business giant Harold Clough, who has died at 95.
Why Scott Morrison has to win in WA
The Coalition has become accustomed to winning a solid majority of Western Australian seats at federal elections. But that could be about to change.