[Jan Fisher]

Leasing the Port of Darwin to Chinese interests is a decision that continues to hound the federal government, as it should.

The 100-year lease was sold to Chinese firm Landbridge in 2015 and the government is currently reviewing the decision.

The original justification for selling the port was that the port needed vital infrastructure investment that would be better funded by private interests.

Two problems here, we pay taxes for exactly these sort of projects, and why was it left to get into such a state of disrepair the only answer was private funding?

Not surprisingly when the decision was announced it drew almost instant criticism, including from then president Barack Obama who had committed US troops to the area.

Since then in a completely predictable move China has considerably stepped up its assertiveness in the area and it’s looking less like a good deal and more like a massive security risk.

Should the port be returned to public ownership?

[Cesar]

YES … for sure …. This time with the Russia war and other world problems is a door to the communist China to enter Australia that probably many spies are already inside – Are we so innocent to the world reality – Are we living inside a bubble ??? Reverse the lease is imperative for our country safety and relation with our allies

[Brian]

Agreed. Seriously, cancel the lease before it’s too late, like NOW. Government also needs to step up the priority given to monitoring Chinese interest activities in Australia. They are much more active than our leaders realise. Additionally, stronger regulations are required to stop foreign ownership of our property and businesses.

[KSS]

Yes cancel the contract. China should never have been sold/rented in the first place. No foreign agency should be allowed to buy, rent, lease or hold any Australian critical infrastructure or assets including ports, airports, trains or train stations, electricity grids, agricultural land, or water rights, dams or distribution for a start.

[Wicky]

Indeed the contract should be cancelled if/when possible. We cannot trust the Chinese regime – not for many, many years, so this “deal” will only favour one side in the long term and it’s not Australia.

[Author]

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