State turns to Ashurst for advice on billion-dollar deal

The deal resulted in $1.41bn in upfront proceeds, as well as ongoing revenue, for the state

State turns to Ashurst for advice on billion-dollar deal

Western Australia turned to Ashurst for advice in the partial commercialisation of the Western Australia Land Information Authority (Landgate).

The deal resulted in $1.41bn in upfront proceeds, as well as ongoing revenue, for the state. Ashurst advised the state, working together with the State Solicitors’ Office.

The Land Services WA consortium – formed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and Australian industry superannuation funds, Sunsuper, and HESTA – won an open and competitive bid for a 40-year contract for the delivery, improvement, and maintenance of Landgate’s automated titling services. The state still owns and is responsible for the land title register and other data.

KWM advised the consortium.

Corporate partner Carl Della-Bosca headed the Ashurst team. He was supported by partner Anita Choi and associates Joe Ablitt and Ivan Biros.

IT and IP advice was provided by partner Angela Summersby, consultant Georgina Adams, and counsel Robert Dearn. Financing aspects were handled by partner Martin Coleman and associates Anthony Pitruzzello and Angelee Patel. Property matters were handled by partner Andrew Gay and associate Andra Lang. Competition law advice was provided by partner Justin Jones. Insurance advice was provided by partner Rehana Box.

Della-Bosca said that the transaction resulted in an outstanding outcome for WA. He also said that the deal shows the collaborative way Ashurst works, as the firm drew on the specialist expertise of teams in all five of the firm’s office across Australia.