VENTURE CAPITAL POST

The government of Queensland has exited its 74.3 million shares worth USD350 million in the formerly state-owned coal and bulk freight rail company Aurizon, reducing its stake in the firm to under 5%.

Alan Joyce, chief executive of Qantas Airways Ltd, has ruled out Australia's national carrier raising fresh capital to compete with arch-rival Virgin, saying the airline still has a lot of flexibility.

San Francisco-based web app Swarm Mobile raised around USD3.5 million to develop technology that can track in-store shoppers through their smartphones to help physical stores compete with e-commerce retailers.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said today the government may purchase a stake in Qantas Airways to help the troubled carrier compete with better-financed rivals.

Sydney-based gold and copper mining exploration firm Elysium Resources Ltd has successfully completed its takeover offer for unlisted Burraga Copper Ltd in New South Wales.

GrainCorp Ltd chief executive Alison Watkins has resigned just days after the Australian government rejected a takeover offer from US agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland Inc, and will head the Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd starting March.

Sydney-based medical services provider Primary Health Care is cutting down loan interest costs on a AUD 1.25 billion refinancing agreement, according to sources interviewed by Bloomberg.

Global Infrastructure Partners will sell its 27% stake in the Port of Brisbane to Cassie de Depot et Placement du Quebec for AUD1 billion (USD908 million). Cassie is the second-biggest pension fund in Canada.

Australia-based IDP Education, the world's largest provider of international student placement, is considering the sale of its shares through an initial public offering (IPO) in 2014.

Specialty Fashion Group, the biggest women's fashion seller in Australia, bought the Rivers clothing brand for USD5 million and plans to increase the number the Rivers outlets from 160 to 220.

Bis Industries on Wednesday announced that it has scrapped its planned initial public offering. The KKR-backed Australian logistics company had been looking to raise AUD500 million (USD456 million) in the IPO.

New Zealand-based dairy firm Fonterra has completed its acquisition of Australia's Tamar Valley Dairy in Tasmania, which is now fully-owned and managed by Fonterra Australia.

US-based Archer Daniels Midland Company has increased its offer for agricultural firm Graincorp Ltd by USD200 million to reinforce Australia's agricultural infrastructure through rail enhancement projects.

Australia-based industrial glove maker Ansell Ltd agreed to purchase US-based hand protection product manufacturer BarrierSafe Solutions International for approximately USD615 million in a transaction subject to US antitrust clearance.

Singapore-listed AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT entered the Australian market by buying a 49% stake in Optus Center at Sydney's Macquari Park for over USD184 million.