In a remarkable display of political resolve, leaders from both major Australian parties have pledged to negotiate the return of the Port of Darwin to Australian control.

This commitment comes amidst heightened election campaigning, with announcements made nearly simultaneously by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

The Port of Darwin was leased in 2015 for more than $500 million to the Landbridge Group, a company with ties to the Chinese government.

Albanese, who has consistently opposed the lease, announced on ABC Radio Darwin that a re-elected Labor government would initiate negotiations to reclaim the port.

"We’ve been talking with superannuation funds about getting it back into Australian hands," he stated.

Dutton, traveling to Darwin for his own announcement, reiterated that a Coalition government would prohibit the lease of the Port to any entity controlled by a foreign government, citing national security concerns.

"In the current geopolitical environment, it is vital that this piece of critical infrastructure...is operated by a trusted, Commonwealth approved entity," Dutton elaborated.

Both politicians have expressed willingness to utilize taxpayer funds if private investors cannot be found, with Albanese highlighting preferences for superannuation or other investment vehicles that do not directly involve taxpayer money.

Concerns about the Port of Darwin have persisted for nearly a decade, primarily due to national security implications.

Albanese indicated that economic considerations also factor into the rationale for transitioning the port back to Australian ownership.

"Landbridge has not had the investment into the port that’s required to bring it up to scratch," he commented, promising further details prior to the upcoming elections scheduled for May 3.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was in office at the time of the port's leasing, stated that the federal government had no jurisdiction to either approve or reject the lease unless risk assessments from security agencies indicated a change in the assessment of national security implications.

In 2015, both the Department of Defence and ASIO granted their approval for the lease, a stance that remains unchanged according to public records.

Following the 2022 elections, Albanese ordered a review into the lease, which concluded that it was unnecessary to alter or cancel the agreement based on the robust regulatory framework managing risks associated with critical infrastructure.

In a recent statement from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, it was emphasized that Australians can feel secure regarding their safety while Australia continues to welcome foreign investment.

Landbridge has responded to the latest announcements, asserting that it was not consulted and that the Port is not for sale.

Terry O’Connor, a non-executive director for Landbridge in Australia, stated, "Landbridge considers the port a long-term investment that has reported record operational performance this year.

We expect this growth to continue in the future."

Earlier discussions within the political landscape included proposals for public-private partnerships to secure the port's future, as indicated by Labor MP Luke Gosling.

Northern Territory Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan, voiced the intention of the Northern Territory government to work collaboratively with the federal government to determine the best path forward for the Port of Darwin, emphasizing the need to mitigate existing uncertainty surrounding its future.