Major projects and clients
Robert acted in the $2.7 billion IPO of Singapore Power’s Australian assets, through SP AusNet, as well as the floats of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund, Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund, Toll Holdings, Sims Group and Straits Resources and capital raisings for Orica, Coles Myer, Australian Infrastructure Fund, Gunns, Pacific Hydro and other corporations, including hybrid issues for Orica and Hastings Diversified.
Robert has acted in over 30 public company takeovers and schemes of arrangement, including Singapore Power’s $8 billion joint bid with Babcock & Brown for Alinta. Private M&A transactions include San Miguel’s divestment of National Foods and Boags and Gunns purchase of Elders and FEA’s timber assets.
Robert acted for TPG and the vehicle which gave effect to Alinta Energy’s $2.5billion debt for equity swap, the largest transaction of this nature to be undertaken in Australia.
Loy Yang Power recently engaged a team led by Robert in relation to a 22 year 820MW supply contract with Alcoa and partners for the Portland and Point Henry smelters from the 2300MW Loy Yang A power station, including carbon trading arrangements. Earlier, Robert had acted for its owners – Tokyo Electric, AGL, Commonwealth Bank, Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund and other investors in their acquisition of the station and associated mine.
Robert’s experience in the infrastructure sector includes acting for National Grid in the development of the Basslink undersea power transmission project, as well as acquisitions for Hastings Funds Management of interests in Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast and other airports, including Hochtief’s portfolio of European airports and Sydney airport.
In the field of managed funds, Robert’s experience includes the recent restructure of eight funds managed by the Great Southern group, in which $1.5 billion had been invested by retail investors, and the assumption of management by Gunns.
Robert’s experience in government enterprises includes acting for the State of Victoria in the restructure of its state-owned electricity assets, development of a new regulatory and contractual framework and privatisation program which yielded $22 billion. Robert also acted for the State of Victoria in the privatisations of its gas and forestry assets and for the State of Tasmania and Republic of Korea in relation to electricity industry restructure and reform.
