Former LNP Trade Minister Andrew Robb profited enormously from the port deal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, MHR has warned the federal Government to tear up the Port of Darwin lease with its Chinese owners, arguing that a "review" will achieve nothing but waste time. Noely on Twitter: "RT @TwoEyeHead: Govt to spend $3.8billion "The proposal has been fully recognised and highly affirmed by the Shandong Province Party Committee, the Provincial Government and the Department of Commerce," the Chinese government statement said. Rang Jeff Kennett and within three days he had me in front one of the best professionals in the state and this guy said you know you've had a problem for fifty years, you've had it for fifty years but he said it was fixable, which was fantastic."[27]. Mr Robb recently resigned his position with Landbridge, saying they did not have much work for him to do. Follow our live coverage. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/can-darwin-port-99-year-lease-china-be-reversed-andrew-robb-role/10912478, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article. Do Darwin residents really drink more than other Australians? At the time, Mr Robb had already been working for Mr Ye for eight weeks, and had earned $146,000, including GST but minus expenses. While the leasing of Port of Darwin to Chinese firm Landbridge by the Northern Territory government in 2015 raised national security fears at the time, . Clumsiness and indecision do not serve Australian interests well. "We had our deputy prime minister last year stand up in front of a Channel 9 TV camera and say, 'I want all Australians to know that ISIS is not our security threat, China is our security threat'; this is irresponsible," Mr Robb said. Mr Carr recently announced he was stepping down as director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, which was founded by controversial billionaire political donor Huang Xiangmo. This comes despite the fact they sold one of our most strategically positioned ports to a Chinese company with close links to the Chinese Communist Party in 2015. [26] Robb disclosed that, since adolescence, he had suffered depression for several hours each day in the morning. Glenn Campbell. Neither has the fact that Mr Robb is being used to spruik a Chinese Communist Party-backed trade park as part of his consultancy agreement. For some, it's the exercise of debt and debt collection.". No claim Robb breached code: Ryan The port has operated in a number of locations, including Stokes Hill Wharf, Cullen Bay and East Arm Wharf. By Leith van Onselen. Mr Robbs consultancy with the leaseholder of the Darwin Port, Landbridge, was trumpeted by the Chinese-government aligned company in 2016, but became intensely controversial when an investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and Four Corners revealed his fee, and that he had joined the company straight after quitting parliament. "Just before Landbridge had an opportunity to formally present my report to Chinese authorities, they were advised not to bother because the relationship between the Australian and Chinese governments 'had become so toxic' that the report would be binned.". Claiming that greenhouse gas emissions have gone down when the facts clearly show otherwise; breaking the law on responding to FoI requests; reneging on promised legislation; claiming credit for legislation that doesnt exist; accepting donations that breach rules. Until his recent retirement from politics, Andrew Robb was Australia's Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism. Mr Robb is one of several senior former Australian politicians who have been hired by or who hold roles funded by businesses or businessmen closely aligned to the Chinese Communist Party. The port's acquisition sparked a major controversy after then US president Barack Obama complained he hadn't been forewarned. While he was Minister for Trade and Investment, Robb approved Chinese company Shandong Landbridge Group to lease Port Darwin for 99 years. Listen to the news in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha and Kriol, Jock Zonfrillo, celebrated chef and judge on MasterChef Australia, dies aged 46, MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo remembered for 'wicked sense of humour', Lauren Cranston jailed for eight years over one of Australia's biggest tax frauds, Tony Abbott mounts attack on Voice after a spat with parliamentary committee, 'They will forever know their dad was a hero': 1,000 mourners farewell slain NSW paramedic, Nurse driving home from shift among victims of triple-fatal crash involving allegedly stolen car, There are 11 First Nations MPs and senators. Robb is also the co-publisher of The Party Room alongside Senator Mitch Fifield,[citation needed] a journal designed to promote new policy discussion within the Federal Coalition. But company records reveal that Andrew Robb Pty Ltd . Former Trade Minister Andrew Robb joins Landbridge Group Military-civilian integration was among the goals China set in its 13th five-year plan for 2016-20. "In our situation, there was an upfront payment for 99 years and then the strategy unfolds," he said. Howard had to be talked out of dumping Andrew in 1995 from his position as Federal director. In a November 2016 interview with the ABC, Mr Robb said that "most of what he [Mr Ye] wants me for is because of my knowledge of other countries and other governments. And 96 years from now is long enough for a lot more to happen. News National Former PM Rudd urges review of lease of Darwin Port to China company. Please login to engage in the commentary. The territory government retains a 20% stake in the port operator and has a say in key appointments such as the chief executive and chief financial officer. This was discounted by some commentators as hyperbole, an attempt to curry favour with the Chinese government. Crunch decision on Chinese-owned Port of Darwin looms As a small, open economy international trade and foreign investment has been critical to providing jobs and prosperity by Australians since European settlement over 200 years ago. Mr Ye frames much of his business activity, including the acquisition of the Port of Darwin lease, in terms of advancing Beijing's ambitious global trade and infrastructure project "One Belt, One Road". That was the day before the 2016 federal election, that Mr Robb had stated months earlier he would not be contesting. The private agreement between Mr Robb and Mr Ye contains no mention of Mr Robb's international knowledge and networks, referring only to his role providing "consulting" and "strategic" services. And all of it is being done under the guise of economic development at a time of economic turbulence for those countries, Dr Garrick said, which sounds familiar to Darwin, where the NT Government is currently going through a fiscal crisis and severe economic downturn. The reason Darwin port was leased to the Chinese is because federal government at the time (LNP) refused to fund the ageing Darwin Port. It would leave our ability to operate in doubt. The combined filings show Landbridge borrowed at least $870 million in the months leading up to its Darwin Port acquisition from the high yield market and local bond market. In Australia it gave influential Liberal Party figure and former trade minister Andrew Robb an $880,000 job just months after he . Landbridge head Ye Cheng, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and then trade envoy Andrew Robb in Beijing in April 2016. Just as they have many other of Australias pushbacks against China. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop defended Mr Robb's decision, telling the ABC he should be allowed to have a post-Parliament career. "There's not enough evidence for them to do that, other than the sense that this is a dumb move, and why would you do this when the money is already gone and 96 years on the lease to go?" Mr Robb joins former foreignminister Bob Carr and former Victorian premier John Brumby in leaving lucrative roles with companies or, in Mr Carrs case, a think tank, founded by businessmen with strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Mr Brumby announced in February he was quitting the Australian board of Huawei, the Chinese telco accused by security agencies of posing a security risk to western communications infrastructure. Chinese-owned company Landbridge has a 99-year lease over the Darwin Port. When those loans come payable and the countries can't cover the debt, China assumes control of those infrastructure assets. Mr Robb had announced months earlier he would not recontest his seat of Goldstein. Darwin already has no less than six sister city arrangements, including with the Chinese city of Haikou. Pay so everyone can. [25], During 2009 Laurie Oakes's column in The Australian, Robb disclosed that he was stepping down from the opposition front bench for three months to address a form of depression brought on by Diurnal Variation, which is typically experienced as positive mood variation (PMV mood being worse upon waking and better in the evening). Billionaire Ye Cheng is the owner of Landbridge, which controversially acquired the 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin in 2015. It invites reflection on the wisdom, three years ago, of the Northern Territory government deciding to lease the Port of Darwin (now known as Darwin Port) to a Chinese company for 99 years and of the federal government going along with it. Crikey is an independent Australian source for news, investigations, analysis and opinion focusing on politics, media, economics, health, international affairs, the climate, business, society and culture. There are endless opportunities in Northern Australia; the trick is to have government truly engaged as a partner in attracting the critical investment dollars. Robb announced his retirement from politics on 10 February 2016. This is what you need to know, Canberra grassland earless dragon headed for extinction as ACT government updates list of threatened species, Buses, ferries proposed as Hobart stadium transport fix, Live: MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo remembered for 'wicked sense of humour'. That is obvious. In February 2016, Andrew Robb quit his role as Australia's trade minister having just finalised the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement. It is backed by the Communist Party-controlled Rizhao City Government in partnership with Mr Ye. Why don't more Australians know about the bombing of Darwin? "Working for Landbridge Group was a wonderful and pleasing thing, and that he wanted to jointly write a wonderful new chapter together with Landbridge," the statement added. Nobody in the emerging liberal trading bloc is going to be upset by it. Mr Katter's opposition to the Port of Darwin sale - He writes news and analysis with a focus on foreign policy, legal affairs and government transparency. Foreign and strategic policy has effectively been left to the local level. Former federal trade minister Andrew Robb took an annual $880,000 job with Landbridge after leaving federal parliament. . In Australia it gave influential Liberal Party figure and former trade minister Andrew Robb an $880,000 job just months after he retired from parliament. Robb claimed in 1991 that Peter Reith and Hewson were spooked into releasing their policies too early. and I said, 'well, I'd love to but I've been a minister in a cabinet, in a related area, I can't do any work for you in Australia and I can't do it for 18 months'," he said. Zhang Jie, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wrote in 2015 about the concept of first civilian, later military in which commercial ports are to be built with the goal of slowly being developed into strategic support points to assist China defending maritime channel security and control key waterways. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Opportunities exist across website, brand awareness, podcasts, social media content, and video campaigns. Landbridge, a . Why did we lease Darwin's port to a Chinese company? READ MORE ABOUT BLACK DOG DAZE, CLICK HERE. Fairfax Media and Four Corners are not suggesting that Mr Robb has breached his obligations as an ex-minister. Local government officials love signing such deals. Darwin port deal is a nice little earner - Australian Financial Review Ye Cheng, of Landbridge, and then trade minister Andrew Robb in 2015. Andrew Robb - Wikipedia he said. Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, former prime minister Tony Abbott and then trade minister Andrew Robb at the signing of the China-Australia free trade agreement in June 2015. We recognise that their sovereignty has never been ceded. The former trade minister Andrew Robb did not talk to Malcolm Turnbull before taking on his role as an economic consultant with the Chinese company that operates the Darwin port.. Landbridge signed a $506m agreement with the Northern Territory government in October last year for a 99-year lease of the port.. Robb's consultancy was reportedly announced by the Landbridge Group on 2 September . Andrew Robb Pty Ltd provide strategic advice in solving problems and capturing opportunities, particularly in regards to: Until his recent retirement from politics, Andrew Robb was Australias Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism. RT @TwoEyeHead: Govt to spend $3.8billion beefing up far Northern military assets. Andrew Robb quits China-linked firm before foreign interference law kicks in. It's been built and rebuilt in the near-century since. FORMER trade minister Andrew Robb has become a "high-level economic consultant" with Landbridge, the Chinese company that operates Darwin Port . Chinese sell-out Andrew Robb land banks his millions Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. President Xi subsequently established an integration committee to oversee civilian and military investment in technology. Former PM Rudd urges review of lease of Darwin Port to China company By all accounts, he wasn't involved with Landbridge in late 2015 when the deal went through, and the federal cabinet was not aware of the deal until hours before then-chief minister Adam Giles announced it publicly in November 2015. Crikey acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the many nations across Australia, and pay our respect to Elders past and present. But others may have learnt valuable lessons too. Mr Robb has been approached for comment on his new role, but the former minister, who is currently overseas, has not yet responded to the ABC. Mr Robb was reported to have pocketed more than $2 million plus expenses in his time. The Chinese owner of the Port of Darwin is using the port as security to seek a $500 million loan from the Chinese government's trade bank. "In short, we just don't know what might happen over the next 30 years, let alone the next 96, and the port has already been handed away," Mr James said. Chinese port company warns Australian review raises sovereign risk more. To connect a sign in method the email must match the one on your Crikey account. I've known him for a very long time. Andrew Robb says said "Canberra had every right to reassess the port lease in light of changing strategic circumstances. Mr Robb has confirmed that he has left Landbridge for the time being because, "at this stage, Landbridge has no other projects relevant for me to assist". In relation to the Ministerial Standards, Scott Ryan, the Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary, reiterated the rules for former frontbenchers. The company statement, translated for the ABC, also quotes board chairman Ye Cheng as saying that in order for Landbridge to achieve its global goals "it will be necessary to draw on experts such as Mr Andrew Robb who have global vision and global influence". Kishor is a federal politics reporter for Crikey, based in the Canberra press gallery. Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, former prime minister Tony Abbott and then trade minister Andrew Robb at the signing of the China-Australia free trade agreement in June 2015. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen. Another Robb entity is facing (in mid 2019) a wind-up motion from the Commissioner of Taxation over unpaid taxes. You have entered an incorrect email address! Andrew Robb takes role with Chinese company that operates Darwin port Read more Brandis on Wednesday tried to assuage Robb, saying his former colleague needn't be concerned about the crackdown. "There's a pattern it's like a blueprint. And just last week, Landbridge (a private company, despite links to the Chinese Government) started official construction on a new $200 million luxury hotel on the Darwin waterfront. Ministerial business that just happens to coincide with a grand final or a concert; electorate business that must be conducted in prime tourist locations, or at the same time as party fundraisers. [5], Robb resigned in 1997 (he was replaced by Lynton Crosby) and became a business consultant based in Sydney. If Landbridge was to default, it would lose its money. Or does it just reinforce the fact that politicians take the public for mugs? 27 Apr 2023 00:13:32 Late last year, the ForeignInfluence Transparency Scheme became active with the launch of a public register for people who seek to influence the Australian political process on behalf of foreign interests. In some cases the tone hasnt taken account of the sensitivities on the Chinese side, said Robb.