I asked Minister Wong about Labor’s failed promise to return the Port of Darwin to Australian hands.
Before the election, Anthony Albanese was happy to call foreign ownership of our ports a mistake. Now that he’s the PM, he has gone quiet.
When I pushed for a timeframe, Minister Wong couldn’t provide a date, nor a plan. All we got was more “we’re working on it.”
The PM didn’t even raise the Port during his recent trip to China! Is he too scared of retaliation from the Chinese Communist Party?
We have a foreign power (the CCP) controlling our most strategic northern port on a 99-year lease. This was a catastrophic mistake by the Coalition, yet Labor is proving they are too weak to fix it.
Australian assets must be held exclusively by Australians to ensure our national interests are protected.
It is time to put Australians ahead of Beijing’s feelings.
— Senate Estimates | February 2026
Transcript
Senator ROBERTS: Okay, let’s move to the port of Darwin. Minister, the Prime Minister said to the ABC, I think just before the election, but I’m not sure of the timing—he definitely said that the idea that any Australian port owned by foreign interests is not in the Australian national interest. Does that also apply to the lease of the port of Darwin—a catastrophic mistake made originally by the coalition?
Ms Luchetti: The Prime Minister has said that the port of Darwin is working to get into Australian hands.
Senator ROBERTS: He’s what?
Senator Wong: The Prime Minister has publicly committed to return the port of Darwin to Australian hands.
Senator ROBERTS: My understanding is that it was not raised on his latest trip to China. As an electoral promise, the Prime Minister said that Labor would ensure the Australian strategic port of Darwin would return to Australian hands. When is he going to fulfil this promise, or is he too scared of the threat of Communist Party economic retaliation as threatened recently by the Chinese ambassador?
Senator Wong: I’ll speak for the Australian government. I’ll leave others to publicise what other governments say. The Australian government’s position is that we will deliver on our commitment to return the port of Darwin to Australian hands, and we are working to deliver on that commitment.
Senator ROBERTS: As Foreign minister, can you say why it wasn’t raised on this latest trip to China?
Senator Wong: I might ask Ms Lawson to add if I miss anything, but, obviously, I would just make the point that the Port of Darwin is actually leased to another corporate entity.
Senator ROBERTS: Chinese—controlled by the Communist Party. I know it wasn’t Labor to do the deal, but nonetheless we want Labor to undo the deal.
Ms Lawson: The Prime Minister raised a range of issues in the national interest during his travel to China. We don’t go into the specifics of those conversations. He has said that the Port of Darwin will return to Australian hands, and that is what he has committed to do.
Senator ROBERTS: Is there a timeframe?
Ms Lawson: I’m not able to give you a timeframe.
Senator ROBERTS: Thank you, Chair.
Senator Wong: What I would say, Senator, is I think that China is well aware of our position on this.
Senator ROBERTS: Are they doing anything with it?
Senator Wong: I’m just saying China is well aware of our position.
Senator ROBERTS: Thank you.
Agreed – must be Australian-owned. Should never have been sold in the first place by traitors to the Australian people
I reckon we should give the Port to the USA and let them sort it out for us. It would be in better hands.