Chinese community urges rethink on Labor, Coalition's Darwin Port plans do sex sex to

Darwin's Chinese community calls for Labor, the Coalition to reconsider port lease plansMBy Matt GarrickTopic:Australian Federal Elections33m ago33 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 9:38pmThe Port of Darwin was leased to Chinese company Landbridge in 2015. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)In short:Chinese community members in Darwin are urging federal Labor and the Coalition to reconsider plans to take back the Darwin Port lease from Chinese-owned company Landbridge.Members of the Australia-China Friendship Society say the move will hurt the NT’s economy and lead to local community groups losing out on financial support.What’s next?Both major parties have vowed to get the Darwin Port back "into Australian hands" after the federal election, which a defence expert says could come at a big cost to taxpayers.abc.net.au/news/chinese-community-urges-rethink-of-darwin-port-lease-plans/105207848Link copiedShareShare articleMembers of Darwin's Chinese community are calling for the Australian government and opposition to reconsider their election promises to take back a Chinese firm's lease of the Darwin Port.The Northern Territory government leased the port to Chinese-owned company Landbridge for 99 years in 2015, but since then, the foreign ownership of the strategic asset has been the subject of ongoing security debate.Stay updated:Federal election live updates: Get the latest news from the campaign trailCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenLandbridge is reported to have links to the People's Liberation Army of China, and the US's former Obama administration raised concerns with the Turnbull government after the company was awarded the port lease.During this year's federal election campaign, Labor and the Coalition have each promised to get the port "back into Australian hands" either by finding an operator to take over the facility's lease, or, if one can't be found, by compulsory acquisition.Shu Qin Li says members of Darwin's Chinese community are "disappointed" and "sad" about the major parties' plans to strip the port lease from Landbridge. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)The Northern Territory president of the Australia-China Friendship Society, Shu Qin Li, a long-term resident of the NT, said she believed that move would do economic damage to investor confidence and the territory's economy.She said the pledges had come without any evident national security risk, and urged both parties to reconsider.Darwin's port has been controversial for years. So why the action now?Photo shows A truck drives out of the entrance of the Darwin Port on a sunny day.Darwin Port’s lease to a Chinese-owned company has outlasted successive prime ministers. So why are the major parties talking about cancelling it now?"I think it's too political," she said."[The NT] should try to focus and look after our own interests … I mean Darwin, we don't have any major projects, for many years."Darwin Port is probably the one that's still alive … what else do we have?"For people living in the community here forever, like us, we do care, and we feel very disappointed, and very sad."Ms Li said community groups such as the Australia-China Friendship Society would lose out on annual event funding from Landbridge if the company lost the port lease.She also said her views were widely held within Darwin's generations-old Chinese community.Members of Darwin's Chinese community say Landbridge supports cultural events in the city. (Supplied: Chung Wah Society)The ABC spoke to others in the NT's Chinese community, who asked not to be named for this article.One community member dubbed the federal promises as tapping into "old paranoia", while another said "all international investors should be treated the same and given a fair go".They questioned why the major parties had only made the promises during a federal election campaign, and without any apparent change to national security advice regarding Landbridge's lease.Landbridge has a 99-year lease of the Darwin Port. (ABC News: Che Chorley)Defence expert says 'partisan politics' at playMultiple federal reviews have been undertaken on the Landbridge lease since it was awarded, without any announced risks to national security.Darwin-based defence expert Victor Abramowicz said it was "hard to see [the election pledges] as anything aside from partisan politicking on both sides"."The sale was made in 2015, governments of both stripes have been in power over the past decade, [and] none of them have moved to get rid of Chinese ownership of the port," Dr Abramowicz said.Victor Abramowicz says national security advice regarding Darwin Port has not changed. (ABC News: Michael Donnelly)"In fact, even the most recent government review in 2023, about 18 months ago, said current arrangements were entirely fine."It's just very hard to believe anything has changed."It's really just a bit of a delicate political environment."Read more about the federal election:ANALYSIS: Why Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAustralia's next prime minister will inherit a 'world in disarray'Find out how your views line up with the major parties with Vote CompassWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageDr Abramowicz said if the port lease had to be compulsorily acquired from Landbridge by the Commonwealth, it would likely be a huge sting to Australian taxpayers."That'll be coming straight from the taxpayer's hip pocket, and for no apparent good national security reason," he said.Both Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese have pledged to bring the Darwin Port back "into Australian hands" this election campaign. (Supplied)Ms Li said she believed any move to strip the lease from Landbridge would jeopardise future private investment in the NT, which is already facing more than $12 billion in debt.Follow the latest election newsPhoto shows ABC News Radio logo and the ABC Listen logo below it on a light blue background.Hear the latest election news as it happens on the Election Central Playlist. Only on the ABC listen app."That will make it worse," she said."Not only the business itself, but also the investor confidence."It doesn't paint a very good picture."Dr Abramowicz said taking the lease back would likely make major foreign investors baulk at doing business on Australian shores."It would seem to raise questions in terms of how safe Australia is as an investment destination, even if you are a company that comes in, pays a good price and does a good job," he said.Landbridge is currently facing financial pressures, and Dr Abramowicz said that if an alternative private buyer was found to take over the Darwin Port lease, it could work out well for the company.Labor and the Coalition declined to comment.LoadingLoading...Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link.Posted 33m ago33 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 9:38pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter) News in LanguageListen to the news in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha and KriolListenTop StoriesAustralia faces a 'lonelier' world with rules-based order crumblingTopic:National SecurityPhoto shows Two men wearing glasses and suits behind the backdrop of the world map.Data shows shift in views towards Australia's relationship with US and ChinaTopic:Foreign AffairsPhoto shows A graphic shows a defence tank and aircraft over a map of Australia.There's a reason Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Peter DuttonHolmes à Court fuels movement that denies he'll have seat at the tableTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows shac tealFinal campaign dash as Albanese sweats on Dutton suburban fightbackTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with the public on a street.Related storiesDarwin's port has been controversial for years. So why the action now?Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows A truck drives out of the entrance of the Darwin Port on a sunny day.Coalition and Labor pledge to return Port of Darwin to 'Australian hands'Topic:GovernmentPhoto shows The Darwin port from an aerial view. 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