Well said, @StarfishUltra Any new mechanism would need to be...

Well said, @StarfishUltra

Any new mechanism would need to be robust to stop misuse. Perhaps the ASX could verify the FACT of significant shorting before agreeing to a company request for a trading pause. There does seem to be adequate public information available on the number of shares borrowed and actually shorted, including on a day-by-day basis. As far as I can see, at the moment, it is interested parties (holders) who bring this information forward on HC and social media. If it was the ASX itself (or ASIC) drawing investors' attention to the FACTS (not commentary), we may see both the shorters and companies being less reluctant to engage in misleading the market.

Interestingly, another resource stock I am in has hit a period of manipulation which many HCers are calling as shorting despite there being no shares on loan. It seems clearly (to me) to be instos or deep pockets keeping the share price steady to allow accumulation.