"this was the cause"

[KSSEEJ]

"The burden placed on Hong Kong's doctors and nurses has long been recognised as a problem. But the authority has rejected any suggestion this was the cause." (SCMP, HK)

1)In the last sentence, Is "this" refer to the previous clause of "the authority has rejected any suggestion"?
2)If yes, Does the style of the sentence sound a bit informal? Is it better to rewrite it as " But the rejection of any suggestion became the cause. (of the present situation)?
3) What is the reason behind the present style, is it sort of emphasizing ?

Thanks so much for any reply!!!

[billmcd]

"The burden placed on Hong Kong's doctors and nurses has long been recognised as a problem. But the authority has rejected any suggestion this was the cause." (SCMP, HK)

1)In the last sentence, Is "this" refer to the previous clause of "the authority has rejected any suggestion"? It refers to some previously mentioned result.
2)If yes, Does the style of the sentence sound a bit informal? Not really.Is it better to rewrite it as " But the rejection of any suggestion became the cause. (of the present situation)? This is OK too.
3) What is the reason behind the present style, is it sort of emphasizing ? If the original statement used italics for "this" as in your post, it could be the reason. Only the author would know for sure.
Thanks so much for any reply!!!

b.