Property developer Exal Group has bought a 31,100 square metre lot from a Chinese real estate group, as it progresses its plans for its project worth more than $500 million at the site.

Some $18.4m will be used to deliver 50 standalone power units, with $8m in grants for wind turbine manufacturing up for grabs.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has slapped a five-year ban on a Queensland-based former employee of stockbroking firm Patersons Securities, after he made unauthorised trades on a client account and created false records on two further accounts.

Policymakers who leaned into big government to deal with the pandemic may face increasing pressure to do more on public sector wage increases.

Deeper engagement with Asia will require more than just a change in style from the Australian government.