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Darwin Port investigation to focus on nation security threat: Senator Sam McMahon

NT senator Sam McMahon has confirmed the Department of Defence is looking into the Darwin Port lease, despite Chief Minister Michael Gunner saying he hasn’t been formally notified yet.

Department of Defence to investigate Darwin Port lease

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has welcomed the investigation into the Darwin Port’s controversial 99-year lease, but said he hasn’t been formally notified by federal authorities.

It comes after federal NT senator Sam McMahon confirmed the Department of Defence was looking into the controversial 99-year lease of the Darwin Port.

Ms McMahon has also said the incumbent Territory government could strip Landbridge of their $506 million lease for not complying with the agreed terms of the deal.

Mr Gunner said yesterday he was “very happy” for the federal government to look into the port’s foreign ownership.

“We obviously opposed the sale back when the CLP did it,” he said.

“We haven’t had any formal notification by the way, that (the investigation) is happening.”

But Mr Gunner also said taking back the Darwin Port’s ownership would cost “a lot of money”.

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

Ms McMahon has also said the incumbent Territory government could strip Landbridge of their lease for not complying with the agreed terms of the deal.

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Various news organisations reported Sunday night that Defence Minister Peter Dutton asked the Department to sound out the $506 million deal struck between the then-CLP NT government in 2015 and Chinese company Landbridge.

Speaking to the NT News on Monday morning, Ms McMahon said the review would focus on whether the port’s foreign ownership was a threat to Australia’s national security.

“They would be looking at it from the point of view of critical strategic infrastructure and how that may relate to our posture in the region,” she said.

An aerial view of East Arm Port in Darwin Harbour, with Darwin city in the background.
An aerial view of East Arm Port in Darwin Harbour, with Darwin city in the background.

But Ms McMahon said the review, which was “prudent”, wouldn’t have an impact on Australia-China ties.

Ms McMahon, who recently revealed she had raised the deal with foreign Minister Marise Payne, also said she was unsure as to who would pay for the deal to be stripped off Landbridge.

“That would be entirely up to a decision between Defence and the Territory Government,” she said.

“It would depend on why it’s been torn up.”

Ms McMahon said she “had been led to believe” that Landbridge hadn’t complied with terms of the lease of the Darwin Port and claimed the Territory government could have the option to walk away from the deal.

“The thing I’ve also been concerned about is that the terms of the least may not have been complied with,” she said.

“There was a certain amount of money that was meant to be spent by Landbridge … on upgrades.”

“I believe that required amount of money has not been spent.”

thomas.morgan1@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/no-impact-on-china-ties-from-darwin-port-investigation-senator-sam-mcmahon/news-story/7c33b1ea610b013851bc9d8bf978cae6