bowler decision on shovelania

According to an article in the "West Australian" newspaper today, RIO had deposited the money 28 days before the deadline and despatched the documents by a first class courier, 7 days before. If this is correct, why for goodness sake, did it take the government so long to come to a decision? If the facts can be believed, it should have been an open and shut case and avoided the heartache many investors have felt with the speculation around the decision. It smacks of typical government beauracracy and ineptness in making a decision which affected many hundreds of investors.
Premier Alan Carpenter confessed he hadn't even read the submissions by RIO or CAZALY but he stood by Mr. Bowler's decision as being the right one.
A lesson to be learned for the future.......!