It enabled the state Labor government to involve itself in large-scale business transactions without the normal transparency and accountability of government-guaranteed corporations, and was part of what became known as WA Inc.
It appointed John Horgan chairman on a salary of $800,000 p.a., and formed subsidiaries including Exim Corporation which sought to create and exploit export markets for education and other products.
[4]: p.141–142 On the day after the 1983 state election, the incoming premier Brian Burke met with Laurie Connell, who was to become a regular financial adviser, and others, to whom he announced that he wanted to be involved with people in the local business community, and that the new government would set up the WADC.
In May 1984, Burke requested the WADC to manage development of the site,[5]: p.41 on which stood one important heritage building, the 1910 Technical School designed by Hillson Beasley.
[5]: p.43 The new title took effect on 10 December 1985, but on 20 September, the WADC received a purchase offer of $33.5 million from the Superannuation Board, Bond Corporation and Laurie Connell.