Andrew Hobbs

Commuters using the Joondalup line will ride free before 8am tomorrow after a signal failure held up trains for one and a half hours this morning, on the first day of a week-long rail closure.

The discovery of a bashing victim in Melbourne lead to revelations of a new approach to Australia's refugee intake as Paul Omodei discovered allegations of plagiarism by Attorney General Jim McGinty, plus Pulp Mill, Hospitals, Autism, Teachers and Pauline

Applecross-based financial services company Questus Capital Group Pty Ltd is seeking a backdoor listing on the Australian Securities Exchange through failed Belmont-based company Financial Resources Ltd.

West Perth-based Sphere Investments Ltd has joined fellow iron ore developer Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd in hitting a potential funding crisis, after disclosing that one of its partners was reviewing its planned participation in a $415 million funding deal.

South Perth-based mining explorer Extract Resources Ltd and Burswood-based Tectonic Resources NL have agreed to sell their interests in the Burnakura gold project joint venture to Canadian company ATW Venture Corp, the companies have announced.

The faux-election campaign continued this week as the Prime Minister allocated an extra $714 million to drought-affected farmers and $65 million for cancer scanners. Meanwhile, the ALP backflips on the Medicare Safety Net and WA is still cashed up.

The Federal Government has turned down a State request for assistance towards meeting a $400 million bill to maintain Western Australia's grain freight line, saying the matter is a state responsibility.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has voiced concern about the ability of regional airports to meet new Federal Government security guidelines, due to be introduced by December 1.

Welshpool-based mining and earthmoving contractor NRW Holdings Ltd was the best performer out out of the five biggest initial public offers during the September quarter, according to the Deloitte IPO quarterly update released today.

Perth-based metals explorers Mavuzi Resources Ltd and Mantra Resources Ltd have announced plans to merge, combining their respective South African copper-gold and uranium interests in a deal that values the merged company at $74 million.

West Perth-based gold exploration company Beadell Resources Ltd performed strongly in its debut on the Australian Securities Exchange, closing at 34 cents, up 9 cents from its offer price of 25 cents - a 36 per cent increase.

Perth-based gold and base metals mining company Mantle Mining Corporation Ltd will acquire the coal assets of West Perth-based Trafford Resources Ltd for around $660,000 in cash and scrip, Mantle announced today.

West Perth-based mineral sands producer Matilda Minerals Ltd will raise $2.7 million through a placement to Territory Resources Ltd to fund ongoing exploration opportunities in the Tiwi Islands, the company has announced.

*** For the benefit of late clicking readers, this week's View from the Arch began with a summary of the long debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, detailed in another post. This article will deal with other matters.***

Some took the High Road, most took the Low Road and the election remained as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster in Federal Parliament this week - Part 1 of 2.

Shares in Perth-headquartered pharmaceutical and healthcare products company Helicon Group Ltd shed 6.5 cents, or 32.5 per cent, in its debut today on the Australian stock exchange.

An assessment of Derby has found no above-normal lead or zinc levels in the townsite, though some elevated results from near the Derby export facility had been identified, the Department of Environment and Conservation has announced.

The State Government has classified 2.7 million hectares of largely former pastoral lands in the Gascoyne and Murchison as conservation parks and nature reserves, Environment Minister David Templeman has announced.

Perth-based minerals explorer Trajan Minerals Ltd will acquire UK-based Pacific Ore plc through a scrip and options issue worth $31 million at today's share price, the company has announced.

Subiaco-based Global Nickel Investments Ltd has closed up 20 per cent in its debut on the Australian Securities Exchange, with plans to commence exploration of prospective gold and nickel projects in a joint venture with Cazaly Resources Ltd.

Bentley-based waste management company AnaeCo Ltd will aim to raise $5 million through a float on the Australian Securities Exchange to fund its share of the construction costs of its first waste treatment facility, the company has announced.

This week Prime Minister John Howard said he would hand the leadership over to Peter Costello if elected, while the government locked away the communications fund, plus Anna Bligh, APEC, Citizenship and Higher Education.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Avonlea Minerals Ltd has closed at 17.5 cents in its debut on the Australian Securities Exchange, 12 per cent down on its offer price.

Malaga-based scaffolding and form-work supplier PCH Group Ltd is awaiting legal advice after UK-based Cape plc announced its intention to launch a $233 million offer despite having a standstill agreement with PCH.

The share price of Canning Vale-based Ausdrill Ltd has dropped 10.1 per cent following the company's off-market announcement that takeover talks with an unidentified buyer had ended.

Welshpool-based pharmaceutical manufacturer PharmAust Ltd aims to raise around $3.5 million through a one for one entitlements issue at 3 cents per share, while acknowledging it comes at a "very difficult time in the company's development."

West Perth-based coal seam gas developer Greenpower Energy Ltd will aim to raise up to $10 million to acquire and develop a suite of tenements across Australia in its inital public offer, the company has announced.

Leederville-based International Goldfields Ltd will sell its Evanston gold projects to Polaris Metals NL spin-off Southern Cross Goldfields Ltd for $900,000, the company has announced.

Austereo's mix 94.5 has stabilised its position as Perth's most popular radio station, recovering some of its total audience share in the latest Nielsen Media research survey.

West Perth-based gold and copper explorer Amex Resources Ltd has closed at 16 cents in its debut on the Australian Securities Exchange, down 20 per cent on its offer price of 20 cents.

The deed administrators of West Perth-based wireless technology developer Cape Range Wireless Ltd have finalised negotiations for a restructure of the company, with the proposal to be subject to creditor and shareholder approval.

Carpentaria Exploration Ltd, a spin-off of West Perth-based Giralia Resources NL has lodged its prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, aiming to raise $7.5 million.