Future NT 2025: Port of Darwin raised during NT Futures Defence panel

As anticipation builds around the Port of Darwin’s future, the facility’s chief executive says his team are not distracted and it is “business-as-usual”.

Darwin Port chief executive Peter Dummett addressed the widespread coverage surrounding the facility Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

The Port of Darwin’s chief executive says extensive coverage surrounding the Chinese-run facility is “not a big deal,” maintaining it’s “business-as-usual” for him and his staff.

The comments comes as tension ramps up around the port’s future, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly pressed on the issue during his visit to China this week.

While Mr Albanese did not discuss the matter with President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister told reporters he would stand by his election promise to bring the port back into Australian hands.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with President Xi Jinping. (Huang Jingwen/Xinhua via AP)

In the Top End, his comments did not go unnoticed.

On Friday afternoon in Darwin, the NT News hosted its annual Future NT event, which provides a forum for government leaders and industry figures to discuss critical issues relating to the Territory.

On Friday, the outside noise around the Port of Darwin was addressed by Mr Dummett. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

A few minutes into the defence segment, Darwin Port chief executive Peter Dummett was asked how he was handling the “elephant in the room”.

“Using rugby league terminology I’ve thrown a hospital pass to the board - they’ve been dealing with that,” he told the 300 people in attendance.

“I’ve gone on with the day-to-day business (at the Port), that’s really what I’m all about.”

Mr Dummett said “the distractions” weren’t impacting the day-to-day operations at the port. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Mr Dummett also paid tribute to his crew.

“We’ve got a great team, most of the leadership team (are here) and I thank them for coming along,” he said.

“We just get on business-as-usual.

“The politics, the distractions … they’re not a big deal, they’re not a big discussion point of the day-to-day activities of the port.”

Contrary to public perception, Mr Dummett said the port had a “good relationship” with senior Defence officials.

“Some of the things they discussed (was) their frustration with other ports around the country (that they’re) not being as cooperative.”

Sitzler Defence Sector Lead Jason Miezio. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Beyond the controversial port arrangement, several other NT-specific military matters were raised, including defence spending and projects currently underway.

Asked if he would like to see defence spending raised to 3.5 per cent, Sitzler Defence Sector Lead Jason Miezio said he would “welcome” a raise to 3.5 per cent.

“Our responsibility in the supply chain is to make sure the war fighter can actually get on and do their job,” he said.

“For us to do that, you actually do need money and you need certainty for contracts (and) you also need certainty over periods of time.

“If you do that, you’ll get that certainty in that supply chain.”

Mr Miezio also gave “kudos” to the Department of Defence for making it easier for NT businesses trying to get a foot in the door.

“They actually do a lot of work to wrap-around and really support businesses, educate them and grow – particularly the Indigenous business components.”

The challenge of retaining defence families was also stressed.

“When it comes (to) allowing someone to have a back-to-back posting (that) can be a little bit more challenging in the north,”

Melissa Nielson, RAAF Group Captain at the 2025 NT News Futures Northern Territory, Mindil Casino July 18, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

RAAF Group Captain Melissa Neilson said Defence was “constantly trying to look at ways to improve the service, not just for members but also for families, looking at different ways”.

“For example, at our universities, looking at ways that spouses can adjust to the new environment that they might be living in.”

When it was suggested Exercise Talisman Sabre should be moved to deconflict with the Territory’s peak tourist season, Captain Nielson gently pushed back.

“We do have to acknowledge we have challenges in the north; we have the Wet season. And that really does have an impact on how we can use some of our fantastic ranges,” she said.

“Whether it’s roads or rivers being cut because of the Wet season … I think there are some challenges.

“It’s certainly a good question worth considering.”

Dr Steve Rogers said CDU could support defence through a number of initiatives. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

The fourth panel member, CDU deputy vice chancellor Dr Steve Rogers, said he believe the NT’s academic community had much to offer Defence.

As well as highlighting the capacity to educate and certify defence personnel and their spouses, Dr Rogers said the Territory’s bright mind were developing innovative technology in support of the ADF.

“We’ve seen in Ukraine how the use of drones has absolutely transformed modern warfare,” he said.
“We have a leading drone research group based at CDU.

“We have a drone flight test centre in Katherine, which is one of the only places in Australia outside of a defence establishment where you can fly an autonomous drone for up to 100 kilometres, so we’ve got some really unique capabilities.”

Originally published as Future NT 2025: Port of Darwin raised during NT Futures Defence panel