Australian REIT Income Fund Announces Exchange Ratios

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 22, 2013) - Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. (the "Manager"), the manager of Australian REIT Income Fund (the "Fund") is pleased to announce the Exchange Ratios (as defined below) for the Exchange Option as provided for in the preliminary prospectus of the Fund dated January 30, 2013 (the "Prospectus").

Prospective purchasers were able to purchase Class A Units or Class F Units (collectively, the "Units") either by (i) cash payment or (ii) an exchange (the "Exchange Option") of select exchange eligible securities (the "Exchange Eligible Securities") of the issuers (each an "Exchange Issuer") listed in this News Release. The number of Units issuable in exchange for an Exchange Eligible Security (the "Exchange Ratio") deposited by a prospective purchaser pursuant to the Exchange Option was determined by dividing the volume weighted average trading price of such securities on the Toronto Stock Exchange during the three consecutive trading days ending on, and including February 22, 2013 (the "Pricing Period"), as adjusted to reflect distributions declared by the applicable Exchange Issuer that will not be received by the Fund, by $12.00. The Exchange Ratios were rounded down to four decimal places. Fractional Units will not be issued by the Fund. Allocation of cash in respect of fractional Units to purchasers who have authorized the deposit of Exchange Eligible Securities through CDS will be at the discretion of the CDS Participant.

A prospective purchaser of Units was required to deposit its Exchange Eligible Securities with the Exchange Agent through CDS prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on February 22, 2013.

The table below sets out the names of those Exchange Eligible Securities that were deposited prior to the February 22, 2013 deadline, the securities of which may be accepted by the Fund pursuant to the Exchange Option and includes the applicable Exchange Eligible Security's TSX ticker symbol, CUSIP number, volume weighted average trading price during the Pricing Period and the applicable Exchange Ratio.

The Manager reserves the right to accept or reject any security under the Exchange Option for any reason, including, without limitation, an unfavourable relationship between the Exchange Ratio and the prevailing trading price or rating of an Exchange Eligible Security prior to the Closing. If, for any reason, at the discretion of the Manager, the Exchange Eligible Securities deposited pursuant to the Exchange Option are not acquired by the Fund, the holders of such securities will be notified of such fact as soon as practicable following the Closing or the termination of the Offering, as the case may be, and such securities will be re-credited to their accounts through CDS and the CDS Participants. The Manager's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Option will be final and binding. The Manager also reserves the right to waive any conditions of the Exchange Option, other than the Maximum Ownership Level, and to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any deposit of securities made pursuant to the Exchange Option.

The syndicate of agents for the Offering is being co-led by BMO Capital Markets, CIBC and Macquarie Private Wealth Inc., and includes Scotiabank, National Bank Financial Inc., TD Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Desjardins Securities Inc., GMP Securities L.P., Raymond James Ltd., All Group Financial Services Inc., Burgeonvest Bick Securities Limited and MGI Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents").

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions "expect", "intend", "will" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Fund and/or the Manager. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Fund's and/or the Manager's current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Although the Fund and/or the Manager believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Fund and/or the Manager undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

A preliminary prospectus dated January 30, 2013 containing important information relating to these securities has been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. The Prospectus is still subject to completion or amendment. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained from any of the Agents. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued.

For additional information or a copy of the Prospectus, please contact your registered financial advisor.