Panel Makes Interim Order in Relation to Reliable Power's Takeover Bid for Pinnacle VRB Limited

The Corporations and Securities Panel yesterday made an interim order suspending until 1 May 2001 the operation of the orders made by the Panel on 9 April 2001, stopping Reliable Power Inc's (Reliable) off market cash takeover offer for the ordinary shares in Pinnacle VRB Limited (Pinnacle) (the Bid).

The Panel made this interim order to preserve the status quo while it considers the application for review of the decision and orders made in relation to Pinnacle No. 4 on 9 April 2001.

Taipan Resources NL 09

These are the reasons for our decision in relation to the application of Troy Resources NL under section 657C of the Corporations Law received on 13 February 2001 for interim orders under section 657E and a declaration of unacceptable circumstances under section 657A in relation to a takeover bid by St Barbara Mines Limited for Taipan Resources NL.

Panel Receives Application for Review of Panel Decision to Make Orders Stopping Reliable Power's Takeover Bid for Pinnacle VRB Limited

The Corporations and Securities Panel has received an application for the review of the recent Panel decision to stop Reliable Power Inc's (Reliable) off market cash takeover offer for the ordinary shares in Pinnacle VRB Limited (Pinnacle) (the Bid).

Panel Issues Draft Policy on Restraining Dispatch

The Corporations and Securities Panel has released for comment a draft policy on the circumstances in which it will restrain the dispatch of bidder's statements and offers. The draft will be available shortly on the Panel's web site. Comments are welcome until 18 May 2001.

George Durbridge
Counsel, Corporations and Securities Panel
Level 47 Nauru House,
80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: +61 3 9655 3553
george.durbridge@takeovers.gov.au

Panel Declares Circumstances in Relation to Reliable Power's Bid for Pinnacle Unacceptable and Makes Interim Orders

The Corporations and Securities Panel today made a declaration in relation to Reliable Power Inc's (Reliable ) off market cash takeover offer for the ordinary shares in Pinnacle VRB Limited (Pinnacle ) that unacceptable circumstances had resulted from the representation in Reliable's bidder's statement that New West Capital LLC (New West ) had agreed to provide sufficient funds to Reliable by way of equity subscription and loans to enable Reliable to meet its obligations under the offer.

Panel Receives Application by Troy for Review of Taipan 10 Decision

The Takeovers Panel has received an application from Troy Resources for a review of the Panel's decision in the Taipan 10 proceedings. Taipan 10 was an application by Troy dated 27 February for a declaration of unacceptable circumstances and orders in relation to St Barbara Mines' bid for Taipan Resources. Troy is also bidding for Taipan.

The application by Troy requests a review of the following decisions made by the Panel on 27 March: