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Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has appointed a new Australia head to succeed Alison Deitz, who has led the team since 2020.

A landmark case over the expansion of Mach Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine will go to the High Court next week, marking the first time the court considers whether planning authorities have to consider the local climate impacts of fossil fuel projects.

DLA Piper has promoted five partners in Australia, following other firms in boosting the energy and infrastructure expertise in its partnership ranks.

The Albanese government is planning to spend $3.8 billion more on Melbourne's Suburban Rail Loop rapid transit project, one day after it walked away from the completion of the Inland Rail project.

Renewable energy projects are moving away from rigid, long-term tolling agreements towards more flexible financing structures, according to an Ashurst partner, with lenders warming to new mechanisms like virtual tolling agreements. 

The federal government has scaled back the freight Inland Rail project after a report found the project, which would run Melbourne to Brisbane, would cost $45 billion.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has hired a leading projects partner from Ashurst who has significant experience in advising companies on the energy transition.

Competition lawyer Mark Grime has been recruited by Thomson Geer, making the jump from Clifford Chance. 

The federal government has awarded contracts to 10 new renewable energy projects in Western Australia, which will deliver a combined 1.9 gigawatts of renewable energy and 484 megawatts of battery storage.

Australia has signed a critical minerals agreement with Japan, under which it will invest up to $1.3 billion in critical minerals projects with its Asian ally to help reduce dependence on China.