Darwin Port lease in need of ‘critical’ review, says Opposition leader Anthony Albanese
OPPOSITION leader Anthony Albanese is calling for the Port of Darwin’s lease to a Chinese company to be reviewed as a part of the federal government’s crackdown on agreements with foreign governments.
Politics
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OPPOSITION leader Anthony Albanese is calling for the Port of Darwin’s lease to Chinese company Landbridge to be reviewed as a part of the federal government’s crackdown on agreements with foreign governments.
The Labor leader said the Port of Darwin should never have left Australian hands on ABC recently.
Chinese company Landbridge was sold a 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin for $506 million in 2015, under the watch of then CLP Chief Minister Adam Giles.
When asked whether the sale should be overturned by the federal government, Mr Albanese said that should be part of the debate.
“We’ll have that debate, no doubt, as part of this,” he said.
“We’re going to look at this, and that’s a reasonable thing to do, then let’s have a look it.
“And I think, certainly in terms of the national interest, the Port of Darwin is critical.”
His “harmful” comments have since been slammed by Australia China Business Council NT Branch president Daryl Guppy.
“Reviewing the Darwin Port deal would be a huge step backwards,” he said.
“It would have a domino affect and show that no international commercial agreements around the country are safe.
“Post COVID, the NT is going to need investment capital to be able to recover from all this debt.
“We can’t afford to be cutting off ties with China and discouraging private investment.
“The Commonwealth has had decades to upgrade the Port, under both labor and liberal governments, but they didn’t. It’s a convenient time for Albo to start piping up about it now.”
It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last week that every existing deal between states, universities or local councils and foreign governments will be reviewed and axed if found to be against Australia’s national interests.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said commercial agreements — like the Darwin Port lease — will not be covered by the policy.
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Landbridge has been contacted for comment.
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