Darwin strategic security issues need to be addressed to win Trump support: Institute of Public Affairs report
The next federal government needs to convince US President Donald Trump that Australia is serious about strategic concerns in the north by issuing a groundbreaking ‘Darwin Statement’ argues a new report, which maintains China’s grip on the Port of Darwin is ‘untenable’.
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Ending the Port of Darwin lease to Chinese company Landbridge and convincing President Donald Trump to endorse a ‘Darwin Statement’ aimed at underscoring regional security, should be among the next Federal government’s first priorities in addressing the nation’s strategic shortfalls, argues a new report.
As Chinese warships lurk off Australia’s east coast, a team of strategic experts have released their top recommendations in how to shore up Australia’s national security.
This month, the Institute of Public Affairs released its sixth and final report of its ‘Defence of Australia’ series.
In opening the report, IPA director of law and policy John Storey warned Australia’s ongoing military investments failed to “match the speed” of emerging threats posed to the nation, urging the next Australian government to focus on Australia’s north.
“Australia will come to rely on the north like never before, however in this region we are largely defenceless,” the report says.
The report’s top tip was for the next Australian government to immediately win over the “transactional mindset” of President Trump.
The report suggested Australia and the US issue a new directions statement for their alliance called ‘the Darwin Statement’, which would supersede the Howard Government’s ‘Sydney Statement’ launched in 1996.
Dubbing the statement in honour of the Top End town comes with symbolic meaning.
Washington’s view of the Top End has evolved in recent decades, with Darwin’s strategic importance underscored in 2011 when President Barack Obama visited the NT capital – the only time a leader of the free world touched braved the Territory heat.
Currently, Darwin hosts the largest US military presence of any Australian city, numbering around 2500 personnel.
The ‘Sydney Statement’, launched with a view to reaffirm Canberra and Washington’s security relationship in the post-Cold War era, emphasised a shared commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
The report maintained a new ‘Darwin Statement’, which would detail a joint approach to regional security and revitalising the ANZUS alliance, should be announced by the next Prime Minister and President Trump himself.
However, the report acknowledged Canberra’s political minds would have to pitch a compelling argument as to why President Trump should endorse such a statement to begin with.
“We need to explicitly make the case why the alliance, AUKUS, the US Marine Corps presence in the north (which we want to see greatly expanded), and closer industry co-operation represents a ‘great deal’ for the United States,” the report said.
“It emphatically does represent a great deal, so this shouldn’t be the hardest sell (and) it isn’t accidental that ANZUS has thrived for almost 80 years – both parties benefit from the relationship.”
The report’s second recommendation was to reclaim the Port of Darwin from Landbridge, the Chinese company currently operating the facility.
Leased in 2015 for 99 years, the port’s current arrangement was blasted by the report.
“Commonwealth governments have failed the country in refusing to reverse the Port of Darwin lease to allow our own military and our partners and allies to take full advantage of the best port facility in the strategically vital Darwin Harbour,” the report said.
“We think the main reason for this has been to avoid a difficult conversation with Beijing.”
Citing Washington’s vision to deploy more troops and assets to the Territory, the report maintained it was a implausible for the port to remain in Chinese hands.
“This is an untenable state of affairs – the US will not tolerate a situation where it is bringing significant military capabilities alongside a Chinese-leased facility,” the report said.
The report urged Canberra to re-take and re-purpose the port for Australian and US military use.
“We recommend that the government look at an arrangement whereby a private company or consortia leasing the port is able to rapidly develop and expand infrastructure suitable for ADF and allied use for an appropriate commercial return.”
Defence Minister Richard Marles was contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Darwin strategic security issues need to be addressed to win Trump support: Institute of Public Affairs report
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