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Still strugglingNew restrictions ‘worse than lockdown’

Restaurants and retailers are facing “lockdown-like conditions” as Omicron continues to rage, fuelling fears some businesses will not survive the wave.

Angie Raphael

Business plea CommentsPremiumWA bosses want travel exemptions for the triple-jabbed

WA company bosses are begging the McGowan Government to consider exemptions allowing business managers that are triple dose-vaccinated to travel interstate and internationally.

Danielle Le Messurier

opinion
opinion
Broken commitments CommentsPremium
opinion
WA Govt must eventually accept the risk of opening borders

Mark McGowan can’t escape the hard fact that business and families trusted him by investing in his now scrapped February 5 border reopening.

Sean Smith

Sean Smith

‘More suffering’CommentsPremiumBusinesses blast McGowan over ‘inexcusable’ border bungle

The decision to indefinitely delay the reopening of the State’s borders will only exacerbate a critical skills crisis which has left many key industries in limbo, says the country’s peak business body.

Daniel Newell

BusinessHuge cost of Omicron wave revealed

Queensland’s peak business group has revealed the cost of Omicron as the state suffers from a desperate rapid antigen test shortage.

Daniela Pizzirani

Fresh hopeCommentsPremiumRelief for exhausted industry amid new worker plan

WA business groups expect the State to benefit from a Federal scheme to make Australia more attractive to backpackers and international students — even though none of them can get here just yet.

Adrian Lowe

Cash supportCommentsPremiumGrant relief for businesses hit by Christmas mask mandate

Hospitality, events and arts businesses impacted by recent COVID-19 restrictions can now apply for grants of up to $12,500, as part of the State Government’s small business assistance package.

Caitlin Paroczai

Looking aheadCommentsPremiumAgility the tech sector’s greatest weapon against COVID

With WA’s border set to reopen on February 5, and the ongoing talent squeeze leaving businesses unable to fill positions, Perth’s tech founders say it’s more important than ever to stay agile.

Caitlin Paroczai

‘huge impact’ CommentsPremiumDelayed hit on economy after border reopens

The impact on WA’s economy when the border reopens is expected to be worse than previous lockdowns, but it will take about four weeks for the toughest conditions to hit.

Kate Purnell

Sector snapshotCommentsWhat worries small and medium business owners

Australia’s small and medium businesses are overwhelmingly struggling with staffing issues, which predate the Omicron coronavirus outbreaks.

Adrian Lowe

lockdown impact CommentsPremiumWA gyms should be essential services: peak fitness body

Australia’s peak fitness body says WA gyms should be classified as essential services to avoid any further lockdowns now that patrons must prove they are double-dose vaccinated before their workout.

Kate Purnell

risk management CommentsPremiumHow small businesses are preparing for WA to reopen

Small businesses around the State are busy drawing up detailed contingency plans ahead of WA’s long-awaited border reopening on February 5.

Kate Purnell

Steaming hotCommentsPremiumPrecision is key for Timely Coffees

Perth-based Timely Coffees is continuing to expand its footprint across the State with the acquisition of Precision Coffee Roasters. It marks the second acquisition in the space of two years for the business.

Caitlin Paroczai

Call for clarityCommentsPremiumPerth venues at risk without COVID rules, owners say

Three of WA’s leading hospitality owners say the industry is unlikely to survive widespread outbreaks, and would support a delay to the scheduled border reopening if clear guidelines were established.

Adrian Lowe

eco-friendly fashionCommentsPerth brand to launch WA’s first zero waste shirts

A group of Perth designers gearing up to launch WA’s first zero waste shirts next month say it’s up to small brands to ensure sustainable fashion isn’t just a fad.

Kate Purnell

Lessons to learnCommentsPremiumWhat WA needs to know before State borders reopen

Closed businesses, staff shortages and near-silent CBDs — this is what WA should prepare for when the State borders reopen next month, according to major business groups in other States.

Adrian Lowe

Building resilienceCommentsPremiumThe WA business helping students tackle life’s hurdles

Perth’s Adam Przytula is helping young people prioritise their wellbeing with his business Armed for Life, which has visited over 500 WA schools since its inception. 

Caitlin Paroczai

revolutionary techCommentsPremiumMetaverse spells next-gen opportunities for WA businesses

Tech-savvy businesses are champing at the bit to become early adopters of the metaverse, believed to be a multi-trillion dollar opportunity that will define the next chapter of the internet.

Kate Purnell

OHS rulesCommentsPremiumPM flags workplace COVID-19 testing rules should be relaxed

Employers may soon no longer be required to test staff for COVID-19 to meet health and safety requirements, with the PM flagging a relaxation of rules to cope with a testing crunch around the country.

Adrian Lowe

Grey area VideoCommentsPremiumPub test: The major anomaly in WA’s proof of vax mandate

Hospitality workers who have had just one COVID jab are allowed to work in bars and restaurants, despite their customers requiring two vaccinations. WA’s top cop says it’s a decision that protects the majority.

Briana Fiore

serious impact CommentsPremiumSkills crunch worst in WA: NAB report

WA businesses report having the greatest difficulty finding staff nation-wide, with labour shortages having the biggest impact on operations, according to a  new report by the National Australia Bank. 

Kate Purnell

Young gun CommentsPremiumThe rise of Young Levain pizza pop-up

What started as a side hustle to pay the bills while Rupert McDonald wrote his thesis quickly became a recognisable name on the trendiest event posters around Perth.

Grace Burmas

Shifting goalpostsCommentsPremium‘WA is viewed as too hard to deal with’

Events industry warns WA jobs at risk as interstate and international promoters and events companies struggle to understand State Government’s COVID approach.

Adrian Lowe

‘Very fast’VideoCommentsPremiumHospitality industry ‘blindsided’ by quick proof of vax laws

Hospitality businesses say they were blindsided by the McGowan Government’s move to introduce proof of vaccination at pubs, clubs and music festivals less than 24 hours after the new protocol was announced.

Kate Purnell