Staff Reporters

THE board of Precious Metals Australia Limited has appointed Michael Kiernan as a non-executive director of the company.

Specialised furniture for expanding market sector of hospitality and aged care. Australia-wide offices and distribution. Turnover more than $8 million per annum.

Australian integrated pharmaceutical group PharmAust Ltd has appointed Troy Street as operations and logistics manager.

This issue includes a Commissioner speech at the PriceWaterhouseCoopers Boardroom Dinner and details of a new employer homepage on the Tax Office website.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

AMP Ltd increased its relevant interest from 23,022,746 ordinary shares (7.14%) to 27,980,224 ordinary shares (8.47%).

Straits Resources Ltd increased its relevant interest from 106,718,807 ordinary shares (71.88%) to 124,876,973 ordinary shares (81.90%).

Advise that 76,372,500 shares will be released from escrow on 26 August 2006.

A General Meeting is to be held at Level 2, 45 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, on Tuesday, 29 August 2006 at 10.00am

WITH an overall market share of 17.7 per cent in Nielsen Media Research’s radio survey number five, Mix 94.5 can still lay claim to being the top ranking radio station in Perth.

ASX code: LBT, Issue price: $0.20, First days close: $0.195, Principal activities: development of technology for use in the automation of microbiology laboratory processing, Corporate: Lusia Guthrie

New DGR categories and how to apply for endorsement Aug 2006.

Z Nominees Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 19,750,780 ordinary shares (18.60%).

Mark Halstead increased its relevant interest from 4,140,523 ordinary shares (6.43%) to 13,456,700 ordinary shares (7.33%).

Wisevest Pty Ltd changed its relevant interest from 3,623,544 ordinary shares (7.54%) to 3,893,544 ordinary shares (5.82%).

Its recently acquired subsidiary Cable Accessories Holdings Pty Ltd (“CABAC”) has been awarded the prestigious cable connector contract by the Queensland based energy company, Energex.

MINING giant Rio Tinto has recorded a half-year profit of $US3.75 billion, 80 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2005.

Under management with five years’ steady figures, EBIT and annual expansion. Very modern IT systems and support mechanisms. Average turnover $2,806,000.

•AFT Corporation Ltd - Scott Perkins has been appointed as a director. Alkane Exploration NL - Henry Kennedy has resigned as non-executive director.

Download a PDF version of the June 2006 edition of the TAXAGENT newsletter.

Scarborough Minerals plc ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

Mineral Securities Ltd increased its relevant interest from 22,471,893 ordinary shares (6.64%) to 52,471,893 ordinary shares (15.55%).

CBH Resources Ltd increased its relevant interest from 13,510,735 ordinary shares (39.8%) to 13,910,615 ordinary shares (41.0%).

Announce that 16,351,500 Ordinary Shares fully paid will be released from escrow August 6, 2006.

A General Meeting will be held at Brentnalls NSW, Accountants, 65 York Street, Sydney, on 30 August at 10.00am.

FORMER Hartley analyst David Franklyn is not one to blow his own trumpet or seek fanfare.

LEASES can be complex and difficult to understand, according to the Small Business Development Corporation, but they are legally binding contracts vital for a business’s premises.

WEST Perth-based oil and gas explorer, Elk Petroleum Ltd, has appointed a new president and vice-president of operations to its Wyoming office.

Steve Vamos, managing director of Microsoft Australia, to speak at an Australian Information Industry Association seminar about the ICT industry, August 21 at Fraser’s Restaurant.

Alchemia Ltd increased its relevant interest from 112,547,480 ordinary shares (89.45%) to 114,412,043 ordinary shares (90.94%).

Ian Bucchorn & Associated Parties changed its relevant interest from 5,893,806 ordinary shares (13.4%) to 7,006,606 ordinary shares (11.0%).

A General Meeting will be held in the Hamersley Room of the Sheraton Hotel, 207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, at 10.00am (WST) on Friday 25 August 2006