Capricorn Metals boss quits after aggravated assault charge dropped
The chief executive of gold miner Capricorn Metals has quit despite a West Australian court's decision to dismiss a charge of aggravated assault against him.
The ASX-listed miner said on Thursday that Paul Criddle would leave Capricorn immediately 'to allow him some time to focus on personal priorities'. Executive chairman Mark Clark will assume CEO responsibilities.

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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Path to going public on markets sped up for companies
Companies wanting to list on the stock market will be given a fast track by the corporate watchdog to go public. Changes put forward by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission will mean companies could reduce the time needed in order to take a company public by one week. The watchdog will now work with companies two weeks before documents laying out details about an initial public offering are made available to the public. ASIC says it will lessen the risk of potential investors being scared off by volatile markets. The changes are being rolled out as part of a two-year trial to reverse a decline in companies going public on the Australian market. The number of companies going public hit a 20-year low in 2024, with just 29 initial public offerings on the ASX. That compares with the 240 new listings on the ASX in 2021. Commission chair Joe Longo said the changes would provide greater confidence in the stock market. "Creating a more streamlined IPO process underscores our commitment to ensuring our public markets remain attractive to companies and investors," he said. "Greater deal certainty for companies should help deliver more IPOs, which means more investment opportunities so companies can expand, increase jobs and ultimately economic growth." The changes are being announced ahead of a symposium being held by the commission on Tuesday in Sydney about the future of Australia's markets. A discussion paper put out by the commission in February said the number of publicly listed companies had been declining in many developed markets over decades. "The Australian market is concentrated, with most companies in the financials and mining sectors, and less represented in sectors that will drive growth in our increasingly digital future," the paper said. "Many companies are choosing to stay private where new funding and sell downs are now more accessible, while others are choosing to list in the United States." Mr Longo said further reforms were being considered to boost the number of new listings. "While we do not see regulatory settings as the silver bullet, we have received lots of ideas and are considering further regulatory adjustments to support a strong and well-functioning market," he said.


Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Path to going public on markets sped up for companies
Companies wanting to list on the stock market will be given a fast track by the corporate watchdog to go public. Changes put forward by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission will mean companies could reduce the time needed in order to take a company public by one week. The watchdog will now work with companies two weeks before documents laying out details about an initial public offering are made available to the public. ASIC says it will lessen the risk of potential investors being scared off by volatile markets. The changes are being rolled out as part of a two-year trial to reverse a decline in companies going public on the Australian market. The number of companies going public hit a 20-year low in 2024, with just 29 initial public offerings on the ASX. That compares with the 240 new listings on the ASX in 2021. Commission chair Joe Longo said the changes would provide greater confidence in the stock market. "Creating a more streamlined IPO process underscores our commitment to ensuring our public markets remain attractive to companies and investors," he said. "Greater deal certainty for companies should help deliver more IPOs, which means more investment opportunities so companies can expand, increase jobs and ultimately economic growth." The changes are being announced ahead of a symposium being held by the commission on Tuesday in Sydney about the future of Australia's markets. A discussion paper put out by the commission in February said the number of publicly listed companies had been declining in many developed markets over decades. "The Australian market is concentrated, with most companies in the financials and mining sectors, and less represented in sectors that will drive growth in our increasingly digital future," the paper said. "Many companies are choosing to stay private where new funding and sell downs are now more accessible, while others are choosing to list in the United States." Mr Longo said further reforms were being considered to boost the number of new listings. "While we do not see regulatory settings as the silver bullet, we have received lots of ideas and are considering further regulatory adjustments to support a strong and well-functioning market," he said.

AU Financial Review
5 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
ASIC's IPO tweak helps, but it's not the saviour of public markets
Joe Longo, chairman of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has picked the second most obvious piece of low-hanging fruit to show he's doing something to support initial public offerings and Australian-listed equities markets. Tightening IPO timetables is a no-brainer. It takes away some of the market risk for underwriters, who are investors these days, not investment banks, which should encourage investors to buy shares in floats and make it a tad easier for ASX-aspirants to get support for their big listing day.