Clare advises on complex, high-value financing transactions across the energy, natural resources, critical minerals, infrastructure, and property sectors. She is recognised for her calm and pragmatic approach to negotiating sophisticated financial arrangements, and for guiding clients through every stage of a financing transaction.
Clare’s practice spans acquisition and leveraged finance, project and development finance, syndicated lending, structured credit support and distressed debt. She regularly acts as Australian counsel on large cross-border transactions.
A leader in the international legal community, Clare has held positions in the International Bar Association for over a decade and is currently a Legal Practice Division council member. She is consistently recognised as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers and Legal 500.
Key deals
M Resources and Golden Energy and Resources — Illawarra Metallurgical Coal business
Advised the consortium on the financing for the acquisition of the Illawarra Metallurgical Coal business from South32 (ASX:S32) for up to US$1.65 billion (approximately A$2.5 billion), including guarantee funding for ongoing mine rehabilitation obligations.
MACH Australia Holdings
Advises MACH Australia Holdings Pty Ltd and MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd on all their Australian financing requirements, including the US$550 million syndicated facility agreement with Bangkok Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Shinhan Bank for the development of the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine in New South Wales. Also advised MACH Minerals Australia Pty Ltd on the A$250 million syndicated facility for the acquisition of the Hillside Gold and Copper mine.
Dyno Nobel
Advised Dyno Nobel on a novel credit support and gas prepayment funding arrangement to permit Queensland Pacific Metals (ASX: QPM) to acquire the Moranbah Gas Project from Arrow Energy and AGL Energy. The engagement spanned structuring, gas supply agreements, A$235 million financing for well development and guarantee facilities, and subsequently acting for Dyno as secured creditor in QPM’s voluntary administration.
CSBP Limited
Advised CSBP on a US$130 million Fertiliser Security Facility Agreement with Export Finance Australia, involving over-the-counter contract for difference transactions for the import of urea during market disruption related to the current Middle East conflict.
Vecco
Advised Vecco on its financing with QBF No. 1 Pty Ltd as trustee of the QIC Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund, supporting the proposed development and operation of a vanadium mine and refinery in Julia Creek, Queensland, and vanadium electrolyte facilities in Townsville, Queensland.
Queensland Treasury / QIC
Advised Queensland Treasury on its proposed investment and debt funding through QBF No. 2 Pty Ltd as trustee for the Queensland Battery Acceleration Trust (QIC) to ESI Asia Pacific Holdings Pty Ltd (ESI), a leading manufacturer of long-duration energy storage systems.
Queensland Natural Capital Fund (A$500 million)
Advised Queensland Investment Corporation as trustee and manager of the QNCF on its financing arrangements with Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. for the acquisition of the Ilbilbie sugar cane producing land aggregation in the Isaac region, Queensland. The QNCF is a closed-ended unlisted investment vehicle providing institutional investors access to a diversified portfolio of Queensland-based natural capital assets, expected to make further investments over the next 15 years.
United Rentals, Inc
Advised United Rentals, the world’s largest equipment rental company, on the entry of Australian incorporated entities trading under the Royal Wolf brand into United Rentals’ global credit facilities as part of its US$1 billion acquisition of General Finance Corporation. Regularly advises United Rentals on the financing aspects of its acquisitions in Australia.
Real Asset Management
Regularly advises RAM on financing and security arrangements across its commercial property portfolios, including a A$126 million commercial property portfolio financing, A$65 million medical asset portfolio financing and A$215 million funding for the RAM Australia Diversified Property Fund.
NSW Social Housing & Affordable Housing
Advised BaptistCare NSW & ACT on the financing aspects of its bid to deliver integrated services and new social and affordable dwellings in metropolitan and regional areas across New South Wales and the ACT to the Social and Affordable Housing Fund.