Landbridge Managing Director Mike Hughes steps aside amid security review of Port of Darwin

The longtime boss of the Chinese company that owns the lease over the Port of Darwin has resigned amid a major security review by the Department of Defence.

The longtime boss of the Chinese company that owns the lease over the Port of Darwin has resigned amid a major security review by the Department of Defence.

Landbridge Managing Director Mike Hughes stepped aside late last week following eight years in the role.

It comes as the federal government reassesses whether the lease ownership by a Chinese company represents too great of a national security risk.

Matt Wallach, chief executive at Landbridge subsidiary company Westside, has replaced Mr Hughes in the role.

Mike Hughes has resigned at Landbridge Managing Director. Picture: Jane Dempster.

The Port of Darwin’s 99-year lease to Landbridge came under renewed scrutiny after the federal government canned Victoria’s agreement with the Chinese government over its controversial Belt and Road Initiative.