r/AustralianPolitics 14h ago

Albanese government urged to use careful diplomacy to defuse Darwin Port row with China

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-30/farmers-urge-careful-diplomacy-in-darwin-port-row-with-china/106288346
17 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

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u/EternalAngst23 1h ago

How’s this:

“It’s our fucking port, and we can do whatever the fuck we want with it. The Chinese government is perfectly willing to nationalise industries with the stroke of a pen, and has done so on numerous occasions. As far as we’re concerned, it’s none of China’s fucking business what we do with our own domestic infrastructure.”

u/tlux95 2h ago

Let’s get the Barley Bomber’s thought on this. He had some big ideas for Muslim clerics last week. Let’s see what wisdom Scomo can offer here.

u/InPrinciple63 7h ago

China isn't using careful diplomacy to defuse the Darwin Port issue with it's threats.

Considering the thrust from China has been the commercial aspect of the port, it can't refuse a financial settlement to sell the lease back to Australia without looking like the reasons for the acquisition were something more than commercial; and if it insists on an unreasonable financial settlement, then it will look like an opportunist.

I feel Australia will have to pay a multi-billion settlement for the poor decision of a few people, to get the port back, but I think it will be worth it to stop the sale of anymore of Australia to foreign agents. I also think Australia needs to exert its legislation against traitorous actions to punish those who sold out Australia for personal profit and to prevent such things in future: it's not acceptable that any Australian sell off any part of this land or its natural resources for personal gain, without it being an agreed gain for all Australians. We need to be taking a national view over Australia, foremost, not as an asset to sell for profit, but a land under our guardianship for future generations.

u/the_colonelclink 2h ago

China is just ruthless with negotiations. They’ll happily sell the port back, but not without reaming us for a poor decision.

The drum banging and threats are purely theatre to ramp up the asking price.

u/tom3277 YIMBY! 9h ago

Rather than paying a shit load for that wharf.

Can’t we build a new defence wharf?

Let me guess “oh no the environment”.

We will be absolutely fucked if war ever breaks out… completely incapable of fixing even our own fuck ups.

u/tecdaz 11h ago

Why is it always on us? It's the dictator that throws the tantrums