National

Legal storm brewing over Chinese port ownership dispute

May 21, 2026

Boats near the Port of Darwin (file image) — The government has pledged to return the port to Australian hands for national security reasons. -AAP Image

A Chinese company's decision to take a port ownership dispute to court is disappointing, the federal government says, vowing to defend plans to return the facility to Australian control.

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Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Labor was committed to bringing the Port of Darwin back under Australian control and was pursuing private negotiations with Chinese-owned company Landbridge.Â

He is disappointed the company has taken steps to put the matter before an international tribunal.

"We'll do everything in our power to defend that matter, but we'll continue to talk to Landbridge to try and resolve this," Mr Marles told reporters in Darwin on Thursday.

At 2025's federal election, Labor pledged to return the port to Australian hands for national security reasons, and has since been seeking a buyer.

Landbridge argues the government's move is discriminatory and breaches Australia's obligations under its free trade pact with Beijing.

The port was acquired through an open and competitive process and Australian government reviews confirmed there were no national security concerns, Landbridge has said.

Mr Marles said it was a complicated challenge but the government was pursuing it in the most appropriate, prudent, and respectful way possible.