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Australia Seeks to Reclaim Darwin Port as China Calls Move 'Ethically Questionable'

The Albanese government is holding talks with prospective buyers to end the 99-year Landbridge lease on national security grounds.

Machinery can be seen sitting at the Port of Darwin, located in the Northern Territory's capital city of Darwin in Australia, April 21, 2017. Picture taken April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Tom Westbrook/File Photo
: A general view of the access entry to the Port of Darwin on April 8, 2025, in Darwin, Australia.
Image
A Darwin Port sign.

Overview

  • Canberra is negotiating with potential buyers to terminate Landbridge Group’s 99-year lease on Darwin Port, invoking national interest legislation.
  • Landbridge insists the port is not for sale and says it has received no formal engagement from any level of government.
  • Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian labels the buyback plan “ethically questionable” and urges Australia to honour the 2015 lease agreement.
  • Darwin Port hosts about 2,000 U.S. Marines for six-month rotations and is slated for bomber and fighter jet deployments under expanded defence cooperation.
  • Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling is leading outreach to Australian firms as a privately held alternative to compulsory acquisition.