The 99-year Port of Darwin lease to a Chinese subsidiary in 2015 has proven to be one of the most contentious decisions in recent Australian foreign policy. Despite government reviews finding no national security reasons to terminate the agreement, intensifying global and regional strategic environments have renewed debate. At the 2025 federal election, both the government and the Opposition advocated discontinuing the lease.

This brief outlines the context, continuing doubts, the support of expanding connections by the Northern Territory Government and what's next. Since the election, continued reports suggest the Australian Government is exploring potential purchasers of the port lease.

Key points

• Landbridge Group has portrayed Darwin Port as part of China’s global Belt and Road Initiative.
• Security assessments of the lease arrangements have found no national security concerns.
• A government review following the 2022 federal election concluded it was not necessary to vary or cancel the lease.
• During the 2025 federal election campaign, both major parties promised to return the port to Australian control.
• Chinese Government officials have publicly opposed any moves to terminate the Landbridge lease.