Port of Darwin review by Department of Defence finalised

An assessment over a Chinese company’s ownership of the Port of Darwin has been handed to the federal government.

A REVIEW of Port of Darwin’s ownership by Chinese company Landbridge has been completed by the Defence department, a Senate Estimates committee has heard.

Defence Department Strategy, Policy, and Industry deputy secretary Peter Tesch said the findings of the review wouldn’t be released before the government was briefed.

“Defence has completed its assessment and we are now working with other agencies about facilitating consideration by government of that information,” Mr Tesch said.

“It’s to be scheduled for government consideration and I can’t speculate when that will be able to occur.”

Mr Tesch said any findings of the review would be announced after that briefing.

NSW Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who led the questioning in Estimates, said she had heard an announcement about the port’s future was “imminent”.

The Port of Darwin has been investigated by the Defence Department. Picture: Che Chorley

The review, announced in May, is assessing the national security risks of the lease.

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

The lease was settled by the then-CLP government for $506 million in 2015.

Labor Chief Minister Michael Gunner, who opposed the sale, said in May that while he was not opposed to the federal government buying the port back, he would rather money be spent on projects.

“I’d rather see it go to something that will create new local jobs,” he said.