Newsroom
“Australians must own the Port of Darwin” – Katter
May 28, 2025
KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter insists that the Port of Darwin must be returned to public Australian ownership.
"The Port of Darwin must be owned by the Australian people," Mr Katter said.
"With an emerging diplomatic rough between China and the US over ownership, it is most extraordinary that the Australian Government appears unwilling, or unable, to see the value and strategic importance of such critical infrastructure.
"Why are we not fighting tooth and nail to ensure our most strategic port is not controlled by a foreign corporation? Even if it is our friends, the Americans.
"This megalomaniac obsession with globalism and free-marketism has crippled our nation. Until recently, key assets like the Darwin Port were owned by the Australian Government – as they were for all of our history.
"Now, we're watching foreign powers take control of our critical infrastructure while we stand idle. We're not in 1942 – we cannot give away Northern Australia again like we did with the infamous Brisbane Line.
"Well, let me tell you – the economic Brisbane Line is alive and well. Just like in 1942, when they were ready to surrender the North to foreign invasion, today's governments are handing over our northern ports, lands and infrastructure to foreign powers.
"They look after themselves in the south – Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra – while the North is left wide open and undefended. Whether it's fuel security, food security or ports, everything north of Rockhampton gets thrown on the scrap heap.
"They'll build shiny tunnels down south but won't lift a finger to protect the gateway to our nation. The US and China see value in this port, so why doesn't the Australian Government?"
Mr Katter said New Zealand and Canada, like Australia, were now "reeling on the ropes" from decades of blind economic surrender, and it was time for the government to draw a line in the sand.
"Australia must own its ports, its power, and its future."