smh article, page-5

it makes it obvious that before anyone shorts a stock they should fill in aform and send it to the asx.

similar to other forms companies fill in to convert options , change of significant holdings etc

shorting is a way of lessening the value of the stock simply by selling stock you dont own so it is a way of legally manipulating share prices...as such an anouncement should be by the company . this way shorting can be allowed but everyone will know:

1.who is doing it PRIOR to it occurring similar to a share buy back

2.that the stock is being sold to the sellers advantage and to the companies disadvantage ( as it reduces the companies ability to continue as a going concern)

3.Another form should be submitted and released to the market when those shorts are being covered...this will alert the market enabling appropriate investment decisions .
Obviously short covering is artificial and only temporary increases in sp.

4.I never visit a casino as gambling is so stacked against the gambler in favour of the house....why is the stock market getting more and more like a casino ????

the idea of the stock market is to provide funds for companies to enable them to develop.The stock market is not for people to bet on whatever. The futures markets are a gambling house lets separate the two...go gamble on the futures markets and keep the stock market as a way for companies to raise capital.