By Professor James Laurenceson*
A litmus test is at hand of just how far domestic politics and vague national security “threats” now drive Australian government decision-making towards China. The test involves the Chinese company, Landbridge, and its lease to operate the Port of Darwin.
In April, former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said he expected that domestic political vulnerabilities would drive the Morrison government to tear up the deal with Landbridge, struck in October 2015. What makes the Darwin Port deal instructive is that the case for leaving the lease alone is so strong.
