How trends in engagement are changing for 2021
As we eagerly leave 2020 behind and cautiously step into 2021, Senior Consultant, Sarah-Jane Dabarera, reflects on the themes in community relations for the year ahead. Culture and heritage 2020 has set the scene for an increased focus on culture and heritage in 2021. The Black Lives Matter movement, Australian deaths in custody and the destruction of sacred sites at Juukan Gorge have resulted in increased focus and scrutiny on genuine engagement with Traditional Owners. The recently released amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, issued by the WA Government, will require renewed effort in making agreements and strengthening relationships with Traditional Owners. Black
Building for tomorrow, engaging today – community relations for fast-tracked infrastructure
For the McGowan State Government, WA’s economic recovery from COVID-19 is all about infrastructure. Accelerated programs to build roads, rail and bridges are expected to bring about jobs and assets for the future. But what will these expedited projects mean for the communities where they will be built? Our stakeholder engagement experts explain why avoiding tick-box engagement, and developing a strong consultation program, is more important than ever when timeframes for delivery are crunched. How many projects have been fast tracked? More than 80 major rail, road, coastal and cycling projects over the next two years. A streamlined process for contract awards
2021 Conversations That Matter
As we embark on 2021, the world finds itself at a major turning point – politically, economically, technologically and socially. What’s next? It’s never easy to predict, and especially so this year! For businesses and communication experts, the best way forward is to reflect and learn from the year that was – the lockdown; the economic and social impacts; the devastating bushfires; the disruption of everyday life. The events of 2020 transformed how we communicate. We asked some of Perth’s best communication experts to look back on 2020 and give us their predictions for 2021. A purpose-driven focus With lots of social justice issues
Writing For The Web
Engaging – it’s the word most often used to describe great content on the internet. Readers who are engaged keep their eyes on website pages for longer, and engaged customers feel compelled to act and purchase products. Length of time on site and customer conversion are two of the most common goals for content strategies. Video and podcasts have become popular ways of creating content, but the written word remains an important pillar of content strategies. Writing for the web, or indeed any public medium, can feel intimidating for those unfamiliar with it – but the best strategy is to prepare and keep
Zak Kirkup Elected New WA Liberal Party Leader
Zak Leading the WA Liberal Party First-term MP, Zak Kirkup is the new leader of the WA Liberal Party, after being elected unopposed following Dean Nalder pulling out of the contest. Mr Kirkup is the party's youngest leader since Matt Birney's short stint in the mid-2000s. He was elected as Dawesville MP in 2017, and replaces Ms Liza Harvey, who resigned as Leader on Sunday morning. Mr Kirkup assumes the role just 109 days out from the March State election. Ms Libby Mettam Voted as Deputy Leader Former Journalist turned Vasse MP, Ms Libby Mettam, was also voted in unopposed as Deputy Leader. The Bench
The Bench: Simon Millman
Unfiltered, unguarded and sometimes unconventional, The Bench shows WA’s politicians as you’ve never seen them before. Cannings Purple’s Peter Klinger caught up with the Member for Mount Lawley, Simon Millman to discuss a wide range of topics, including his childhood in Melbourne, moving to Perth, getting involved in UWA’s Student Guild and taking his first steps into the legal world. Who Is Simon Millman? Simon Millman is a proud long-term resident of Mount Lawley, where he lives with his wife, Tara and their two sons. Simon shares a brief summary of his life, including his life before politics - heading legal firm, Slater and Gordon's Industrial Relations
WA’s renewable hydrogen future more than hot air
Western Australia (WA) is set to play a leading role in the development of renewable hydrogen infrastructure, facilitated by amenable State Government policy settings and the establishment of bodies like the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Council to facilitate industry engagement.
The numbers that matter: State Budget 2020-21
As Australia faces record levels of debt and deficit in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Australian Treasurer Ben Wyatt today bucked the trend to post a $1.2 billion surplus in the State Budget, followed by surpluses in the range of $363 million in 2021-2022 to $1.5 billion in 2023-2024. Buoyed by high iron ore prices, which enabled Western Australia to bank $8.4 billion in royalties in 2019/20, the coffers are well placed to support the State’s economic recovery and combat the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. The Budget assumes that Western Australia’s borders will remain closed until April 2021. Importantly,
COVID-19 recovery: The Federal Government’s $1.5 billion manufacturing strategy
The Morrison Government announced a $1.5 billion manufacturing strategy to support Australian manufacturers in an effort to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 recession.
Head-to-head: should Australians have access to all government-held information?
International Access to Information Day is held on 28 September every year and recognises the community’s right to access government-held information. This year, the focus will be on the right to information during times of crisis and on the advantages of having constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information to save lives, build trust and help the formulation of sustainable policies throughout and beyond the COVID-19 crisis. The community’s right to access government-held information is a multi-faceted and complex issue, so we have enlisted Cannings Purple's Director, Design and Digital, Jamie Wilkinson and Associate Director, Government Relations, Jennifer Kirk
Australia’s recession: Tax cuts, tough decisions needed
Australia is officially in a recession. The June quarter National Accounts reveal a major decrease in household consumption and business investment, a 7.6 per cent fall in real GDP and sharp increases in unemployment and underemployment.
Diverse economic heavy lifting the next step in COVID-19 recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic will remain with us for some time but the heavy lifting on economic recovery has well and truly started.
Treasurer announces deficits and debt but says Australia will ‘climb the mountain’
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has laid bare the COVID-19-related debt Australia will carry beyond the next two years but says the country is still in a far stronger position than most around the world.
WA Liberals unveil mid-year Shadow Cabinet shake-up
Three former guests on Cannings Purple's The Bench were among the big movers as the WA Liberals moved closer to the team they will take to the 2021 State Election.
Why I owe my career to flexible working arrangements
Renee Wilkinson says flexible work arrangements have been in place for so long at Cannings Purple that she can't imagine working any other way.
Why an ongoing National Cabinet is vital to our country
The announcement of a permanent continuation of National Cabinet is more than a positive flow-on effect of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why energy is central to WA’s COVID-19 recovery
Energy expert Richard Harris looks at one potentially vital relief policy that still lies untouched in our State.
COVID-19: planning to engage as part of the recovery
Negotiating the COVID-19 pandemic is currently a major focus for the WA Government. The good news for business is there will soon be opportunities to be involved in the recovery. Staff in Ministerial offices have spent recent weeks keeping pace with daily decisions to implement the Government’s response to the pandemic. But as the curve continues to flatten the Government has an eye to the future and is keen to hear about projects that will inject valuable income and jobs into our communities as part of the recovery from COVID-19. Treasurer Ben Wyatt has made it clear that initiatives to boost the
Future-proofing our power system in a COVID-19 world
Dramatic changes to the way we work offer an opportunity to reposition our power system for the future.
COVID-19: the economic road ahead – how do we recover?
The Prime Minister is right in saying that we need to find new ways of growing our economy once the pandemic is over. So how do we do it?
New guideline for greenhouse gas emissions as good as you can get
The WA Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) guideline for greenhouse gas emissions is the document many have been waiting for.
COVID-19: the WA Government’s $1 billion response
Impacted households, small businesses and community groups will all be eligible for assistance under the latest State Government assistance measures.
COVID-19: breaking down the new wage subsidy
The Federal Government says the new subsidy is more generous than that offered in New Zealand and more inclusive than its UK counterpart.
The Bench: Liza Harvey
It’s going to be a big next 12 months for Liza Harvey MLA, as the Opposition Leader and the WA Liberals gear up for a State Election to be held in mid-March 2021.
Jenn Morris joins Cannings Purple
We’re excited to announce the addition of accomplished business leader Jenn Morris OAM to the Cannings Purple team.
A new-look ministry – who’s who in the Nationals reshuffle
The resignations of Bridget McKenzie and Matt Canavan from the ministry have triggered a reshuffle of Scott Morrison's Cabinet.
Paul Vogel to chair leading marine research organisation
The new role is the latest acknowledgment of Paul’s long-standing commitment to the Australian environment.
Our experts predict the biggest trends of 2020
Cannings Purple experts take a look into the crystal ball and forecast the trends they expect to see emerging in months to come.
Full dance card for Treasurer trying to stimulate WA economy
Jobs, jobs and diversification of WA's economy and revenue bases - those are the biggest items on Ben Wyatt's plate right now.
Incoming BHP boss likens WA to Silicon Valley
Mike Henry says the State has to continue to be a hub of innovation and collaboration.