Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a bold plan to return the Chinese-controlled Port of Darwin to Australian ownership, stating that the critical infrastructure should “be in Australian hands.” The government is actively seeking a buyer for the port, despite the current leaseholder, China’s Landbridge Group, insisting it is not for sale.
Albanese revealed the government’s position in a radio interview on Friday, strategically moving ahead of an expected announcement from the opposition. The statement marks a major shift in Australia’s approach to foreign-owned critical assets and signals potential direct taxpayer involvement if no private buyer emerges.
The Port of Darwin was leased to Landbridge Group in 2015 under a controversial $506 million deal signed by the Northern Territory government, which was facing financial strain. The agreement granted Landbridge full operational control of the port. In 2023, before his visit to Beijing, Albanese ruled out canceling the lease. However, his latest remarks indicate a significant change in the government’s stance.
The prime minister confirmed that two possible outcomes are being considered, either an Australian-owned private entity will take over the port, or it will be returned to government control. Albanese emphasized that discussions are underway with superannuation funds as potential buyers, stating, “We are trying to see if there is a private buyer, particularly through superannuation funds. The [Country Liberal Party] should have never flogged it off.”
Albanese argued that Landbridge has not invested adequately in the port to maximize its potential as a crucial export hub. “We don’t think that it is being utilized enough for Darwin. Darwin has enormous potential to be a growth area for increasing our exports through the port, and that is part of the context we’re dealing with here.”
The prime minister also noted that most Australian ports, like airports, are owned by superannuation funds, ensuring that they remain under Australian control while contributing to national savings. Discussions have reportedly been ongoing with both current and previous Northern Territory governments, alongside separate federal-level negotiations.
Despite the government’s intent, Landbridge Australia’s non-executive director Terry O’Connor responded by stating that the company has not been involved in “any discussions” regarding a potential sale and reiterated that the port is not for sale. “Landbridge considers the port a long-term investment that has reported record operational performance this year. We expect this growth to continue in the future.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton swiftly weighed in, highlighting the port’s strategic importance and its proximity to the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct. “In the current geopolitical environment, it is vital that this piece of critical infrastructure is operated by a trusted, Commonwealth-approved entity.”
The Port of Darwin lease was granted to Landbridge following a tender process that began in 2014. The deal has been a point of contention due to national security concerns and growing tensions between Australia and China over foreign investments in critical infrastructure.
With the federal election approaching on May 3, the Albanese government’s move to reclaim the port could become a significant political battleground. As negotiations continue, the future of the Port of Darwin remains uncertain, but one thing is clear, Australia is taking a firm stance on protecting its strategic assets.
