Andrew Hobbs

As the ALP's Robert McClelland had his black armband torn off and the Prime Minister prepared to sport a grey one, WA's CCC euthanised some careers, rail lines were in a coma and voters still don't know how long they have left.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive John Langoulant has called on people found guilty of misconduct in the Corruption and Crime Commission's Smiths Beach report to resign in the Chamber's response to yesterday's hearing.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

*** 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.***