Coalition and Labor pledge to retake control over Chinese-controlled port of Darwin

ABC NEWS (Australia)

There is now bi-partisan support from both major parties for returning the Darwin Port of Australian control. Some are using the political spotlight to call for a redirection of funding for a controversial port-related project called Middle Arm.

Transcript

00:00The Federal Government's previously promised almost $2 billion for marine infrastructure

00:07at Darwin's proposed Middle Arm development precinct.

00:11But there are now suggestions some of this funding should be used to buy back the Darwin

00:15port.

00:16We think this is a massive opportunity to redirect $1.9 billion, which is allocated

00:22to a failing project at Middle Arm, towards clean energy investment in the port that already

00:29exists.

00:30In 2028, phosphate miner Verdant Minerals says it wants to export up to 2 million tonnes

00:36of material for battery and fertiliser production through the Darwin port.

00:41If the port's back in government hands, it says infrastructure would need to be improved.

00:46No matter who wins government, we know that there's going to be a similar arrangement

00:50no matter what, so that's nice to know.

00:52Verdant says the port's current facilities would slow down exports.

00:57We've worked with the Port of Darwin quite a bit in preparation for our exports.

01:02They can export our products currently, but we are concerned about a lack of infrastructure

01:08there that will enable it to get out as quickly and cheaply as possible.

01:12The Northern Territory Government says it's had no discussion with the Federal Government

01:16about redirecting funding committed to the Middle Arm precinct to buy back the Darwin

01:20port.

01:22In several recent public statements, Landbridge has again said the port is not for sale, and

01:27the cost of doing any deal to acquire the asset remains unclear.

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