MacarthurCook Investment Managers (Asia) Limited, the Manager of MacarthurCook Industrial REIT ( MI-REIT ), is pleased to announce that MI-REIT, through its Trustee, HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Singapore) Limited, has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire an office and warehouse facility in the Tai Seng industrial precinct for a total consideration of $S25.0 million.

Macquarie Office Trust (ASX:MOF) and JPMorgan Asset Management – Real Estate (JPMorgan Asset Management), announced today that institutional investors advised by JPMorgan Asset Management acquired a 50 per cent interest in the joint venture which owns the Wachovia Financial Center in Miami, Florida. Macquarie Office Trust retains the other 50 per cent interest in the venture which it originally acquired in 2004 as part of the Principal America Office portfolio.

Becton Property Group (“Becton” or “the Group”) (ASX: BEC) is pleased to announce that it has acquired Lachlan Property Group (“Lachlan”).

The REIA has called on the Rudd Government to promptly appoint a dedicated Minister for Housing within Cabinet, to reflect the wide ranging socio-economic implications of housing. REIA President Noel Dyett said there was an unprecedented level of interest in housing affordability during the Federal election campaign which had brought the issue firmly onto the national agenda. The REIA looks forward to the Rudd Government implementing its housing affordability policies as soon as possible.