The Takeovers Panel today released its reasons for its decision of 24 August 2000 not to make a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of Brickworks Ltd and in relation to the affairs of Washington H Soul Pattinson & Company Ltd (Soul Pattinson). The decision was in response to an application by GPG (No 4) Pty Ltd on 4 August 2000, for such a declaration.

The Takeovers Panel advises that it will not make a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of Ashton Mining Limited in response to an application made by De Beers Australia Holdings Pty Ltd. on Friday, 29 September.

The Panel has also declined to make any interim order under section 657E of the Corporations Law restraining Rio Tinto from dispatching its bidder's statement to Ashton shareholders.

The Takeovers Panel advises that it has received an application on 27 September 2000 by shareholders of St Barbara Mines Limited for a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the proposed merger of St Barbara and Taipan Resources NL which was announced on 13 June 2000. Under the proposed scheme of arrangement each St Barbara shareholder (other than Taipan) will receive three Taipan shares for each St Barbara share held. Similar terms will be offered to St Barbara optionholders.

The Takeovers Panel advises that it has received an application by De Beers Australia Holdings Pty Ltd for a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of Ashton Mining Limited.

De Beers has applied for an interim order under section 657E of the Corporations Law to restrain Rio Tinto from dispatching its bidder's statement to Ashton shareholders until it is amended.

De Beers alleges that the following circumstances constitute unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of Ashton:

The Takeovers Panel today resolved not to make a declaration of unacceptable circumstances or remedial orders in relation to the bid by GPG (No. 4) Pty Ltd (GPG ) for Brickworks Limited (Brickworks ), on the application of Brickworks.

The members of the sitting Panel are Les Taylor (sitting President), Marian Micalizzi (deputy President) and Louise McBride.

The Takeovers Panel advises that it has today resolved not to make a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of Advance Property Fund (Advance ). This follows an application by Mirvac Funds Limited (Mirvac ) on 18 September 2000 for such a declaration.

The members of the sitting Panel are Ian Ramsay (sitting President), Alice McCleary (deputy President) and Jennifer Seabrook.

The Takeovers Panel advises that it has received an application by Mirvac Funds Ltd (Mirvac) for a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of Advance Property Fund (Advance).

Mirvac has also applied for orders under section 657D of the Corporations Law relating to:

The Takeovers Panel today advised that it has consented to the withdrawal of an application for a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of QCT Resources Ltd (QCT). The application by QCT was for a declaration in relation to:

The Takeovers Panel today advised that it has received an application for a declaration of unacceptable circumstances in relation to the affairs of QCT Resources Ltd (QCT). The application is by QCT and it is for a declaration in relation to: