Staff Reporters

A NEW research report into the issues faced by small business owners applying for bank loans has found evidence of a surprisingly high rate of rejection of applications for finance.

1st Floor, 216 Stirling Highway, CLAREMONT, WA 6010 PO Box 1135, NEDLANDS, WA 6909 Ph: (08) 9286 5300, Fax: (08) 9286 5399

The AFL has awarded Fremantle the win over St Kilda, with the league's commission deciding after a special meeting on Wednesday that fairness must prevail, according to the AFL's official website.

Michael Vaughan became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 892,760 ordinary shares (5.08%)

Alchemia Ltd increased its relevant interest from 24,331,953 ordinary shares (19.34%) to 27,218,673 ordinary shares (21.63%)

Atacama Copper Pty Ltd increased its relevant interest from 98,954,992 ordinary shares (72.36%) to 110,953,872 ordinary shares (81.13%)

Has entered into a Memorandum of with Reveal Entertainment Inc to appoint Reveal as the exclusive marketer and distributor for a range of Brainytoys products for the USA and Canadian specialty toys an

Is undertaking a share placement to Australian and International institutional investors and has entered into an agreement with Haywood Securities Inc.

THE tropical cyclone season in north-west Australia has disrupted the operations of a number of resource companies, leading to falls in production for the March quarter.

Proposed code: ABY, Issue price: $1.95, Principal activities: copper producer, Corporate: Debu Bhattacharya (chairman), Sanjay Loyalka (CEO & managing director), Kanaga Dharmananda (independent non-ex

Lydia Culleton has joined Toshiba (Copy World) as a digital solutions specialist.

APS 4, part time ongoing, (PN: 1060337) - Location: Sydney CBD - Remuneration: $48,805 to $52,992 - Closing Date: 11 May 2006.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 8,450,000 ordinary shares (5.15%)

UBS Nominees Pty Ltd increased its relevant interest from 9,925,458 ordinary shares (6.28%) to 13,097,365 ordinary shares (8.29%)

Souls Private Equity Ltd changed its relevant interest from 20,905,454 ordinary shares (14.64%) to 31,358,181 ordinary shares (13.86%)

Annual General Meeting will be held in Bradfield Room No.1,Harbourview Hotel,17 Blue Street,North Sydney, on Tuesday 23 May 2006 commencing at 11.00am

Energy utility Alinta and Sydney rival Australian Gas Light have agreed to split their assets to create separate energy and infrastructure groups in a $6.8 billion merger deal signed this week.

Newsagency shop with full Lotterywest agency. Con Mast: 9212 0421 or 0413 736 280 GMO WA's Business Broker

Proposed code: GEM, Issue price: $0.20, Principal activities: diamond exploration, Corporate: Monty House (chairman); Les Field (technical director); Anthony Short (non-executive director); Peter Hwan

WESTERN Australian ship builder Austal Ships announced this week 10 years ago it was looking to win two orders for passenger-only ferries from customers on Kyushu Island in Japan.

The Committee for Economic Development in Australia (CEDA) is holding an informative luncheon, May 10 at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

Robert Green ceased to be a substantial shareholder

Alchemia Ltd increased its relevant interest from 17,371,508 ordinary shares (13.8%) to 21,074,805 ordinary shares (16.75%)

Barrick Gold Corporation increased its relevant interest from 76,563,854 ordinary shares (55.99%) to 90,445,285 ordinary shares (66.14%)

Australian Gaslight lodged bidders statement

Annual General Meeting will be held at Elizabeth Room, Level 2, Royal Automobile Club of Australia, 89, Macquarie St, Sydney on May 30 at 2.30pm

WESTERN Australia's dominant health insurance player, HBF, has continued to diversify into new fields with the announcement of a move into life insurance.

Proposed code: MBT, Issue price: $1.00, Principal activities: production of biodiesel, Corporate: Dario Amara (non-executive chairman), Tan Sri Razak Ramli (non-executive deputy chairman), Dato' Zain

Steve Williams has joined Honeywell as senior test analyst. Mr Williams recently emigrated from the UK where he worked for Lloyd TSB Group as testing & project manager.

EXPRESSIONS of interest are required from individuals wishing to become board members of a new non-profit community services agency called UnitingCare West.

Yang Lei became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 12,498,130 ordinary shares (5.31%)

MM&E Capital Pty Ltd increased its relevant interest from 5,239,974 ordinary shares (5.63%) to 7,203,688 ordinary shares (7.74%)