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.
‘Come to WA’, McGowan tells big miners, tech companies
WA Premier Mark McGowan has addressed the Resources Technology Showcase in Perth, telling the crowd the State was the "best mining jurisdiction in the world."
Topical talks at the Perth Resources Technology Showcase
From BHP's new boss to robots galore, Peter Klinger takes a look at the Resources Technology Showcase ahead of its start in Perth.
WA to become rare earths world leader with Federal pledge
As demand continues to grow for critical minerals, WA is in the box seat to take advantage of some unique opportunities.
The how-to-guide for a successful Canberra lobbying trip
A trip to Canberra to engage with politicians can be a daunting prospect - so we've broken down the process of finding success in the nation's capital.