Deals

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.

Piper Alderman has hired a leading real estate partner from Clayton Utz who brings in-demand expertise on renewable energy and large-scale developments to the firm.

Australian data centre platform AirTrunk has announced it will invest $4.2 billion to build two new data centres in Malaysia.

The federal government will spend $45 million over the next four years to develop bilateral agreements with states that will put an end to duplicative environmental approvals. 

IFM Investors has sold Scoresby Industry Park in Melbourne's east to Hale Capital Partners for more than $100 million.

Dexus has secured more than $600 million in new capital investments for its flagship fund, including $500 million from a first-time superannuation investor in the fund. 

ASX-listed data centre operator NextDC has raised $750 million from a subordinated wholesale notes offer, bringing its cash pile to $6.6 billion.

Holding Redlich has advised on the country's first utility scale solar microgrid led by a First Nations cooperative in a remote area of the Northern Territory, a project that will deliver critical energy autonomy in the community.

Microsoft is planning to invest a record $25 billion in Australia's AI and cyber infrastructure over the next three years.

A former Queensland minister allegedly threatened to trash a $1.6 billion contract for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing unless a consortium led by Acciona continued to work with the CFMEU, an inquiry into the union has heard.