An agreement between Darwins city council and an overseas municipal counterpart normally wouldnt attract much attention. He added that defences raised by NT Government politicians and public servants about being able to take the port back in the case of rising tensions didn't address the strategic risk now, or the consequences of that later. That is obvious. 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. "It involves the use of soft-power networks, influence over politicians on all sorts of levels, from local levels right up to the top.". Mr Robb had announced months earlier he would not recontest his seat of Goldstein. [27], The following week, Robb said in an interview with 3AW's Neil Mitchell that he had found "doing things increasingly more difficult, I could be taking on more responsibilities especially in a public sense and decided to confront it a few weeks ago. Hearing senior Treasury staff describe the Northern Territory's budget as being in "dire straits" is the bureaucratic equivalent to saying, "we're stuffed". Mr Ye is the owner of Landbridge, which controversially acquired the 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin in 2015 . The trade park being spruiked in Mr Robb's name is to be built in Rizhao, a thriving port city between Beijing and Shanghai. Andrew Robb Pty LtdC/- Ellerston Capital Level 4, 75-77 Flinders LaneMelbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.Tel: +61 2 9021 7743, Andrew Robb Pty LtdC/- Ellerston CapitalLevel 11, 179 Elizabeth StreetSydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.Tel:+61 2 9021 7743, All other questions, please use the form on the right, Andrew Robb Pty Ltd C/- Ellerston Capital, Level 11, 179 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.Ph: +61 2 9021 7743, READ MORE ABOUT BLACK DOG DAZE, CLICK HERE, Australian ASEAN Business ForumOpening Speech, Australia and China: There is always a way forward, Live cattle exports: Farmers fear betrayal, and a future of uncertainty, MEDIA RELEASE: Robb Rejects The Age Gutter Journalism, ASIAN MARKETS THE FUTURE POWERHOUSE: ROBB, Helping Australian companies to trade or invest into countries in the Asia Pacific region, Helping companies from the Asia Pacific region to trade or invest into Australia. That was the day before the 2016 federal election, that Mr Robb had stated months earlier he would not be contesting. Darwin already has no less than six sister city arrangements, including with the Chinese city of Haikou. . In February 2016, Andrew Robb quit his role as Australia's trade minister having just finalised the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement. Or does it just reinforce the fact that politicians take the public for mugs? 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. Andrew Robb joins Chinese company with control of Darwin Port, Keep up with the latest ASX and business news, MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo dies at age of 46. (Supplied: . [5], Robb resigned in 1997 (he was replaced by Lynton Crosby) and became a business consultant based in Sydney. Robb then left politics and took up a lucrative 'consultancy' gig with Landbridge less than 12 months later, making who knows how much from helping actual jeopardise our national security. Thank you for your very kind wishes! Mr Robb, the architect of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, began consulting to Ye Cheng the day before the July 2 federal election in 2016, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. FORMER trade minister Andrew Robb has become a "high-level economic consultant" with Landbridge, the Chinese company that operates Darwin Port . The arrangement, uncovered by a Fairfax Media-Four Corners investigation, involves monthly payments of $73,000 (including GST) to Mr Robb starting on July 1, 2016. Landbridge, a . [14], Robb is a board member of the Kidman cattle enterprise and the Network Ten television station. 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. And I mean, know that you mention it, you can kind of see why we arent that keen on a Federal ICAC, he laughed. Landbridge confirmed Mr Robbs departure. Mr Robb's job with Landbridge commenced on July 1, 2016, according to a Four Corners Fairfax Media 2017 joint investigation. When those loans come payable and the countries can't cover the debt, China assumes control of those infrastructure assets. Mr Robb recently resigned his position with Landbridge, saying they did not have much work for him to do. In relation to the Ministerial Standards, Scott Ryan, the Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary, reiterated the rules for former frontbenchers. The bid for the port was examined and approved by the Foreign Investments Review Board, the Defence Department and ASIO. It's been built and rebuilt in the near-century since. Australia was the first Western country to break through the metaphorical Great Wall of China in terms of free trade, creating a trading environment no Western G20 economy has ever enjoyed. Kishor is a federal politics reporter for Crikey, based in the Canberra press gallery. Former trade minister Liberal MP Andrew Robb accepted an $880,000-a-year salary with Chinese billionaire Ye Chengs Landbridge Group immediately after quitting parliament. This website is dedicated to the public interest. Darwins port is under Chinese control, while thousands of US marines are based in the city, as part of the US Pacific pivot seen by many as an effort to contain Chinas influence in the region. There are indications of some recognition of this at the federal level. Glenn Campbell. "He's now saying that any criticisms of improper Chinese behaviour attempting to influence our political system is our fault. Everybody in the NT remembers the last time Darwin was caught in the middle of a conflict between the Americans and a rising Asian empire. Leasing Darwin Port was a political not a legal decision, made in Canberra not Darwin. 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. Chinas strategy is very long-term. 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. The Landbridge statement from September 2 said "the process of internationalisation of the Landbridge Group and the results achieved had greatly impressed him (Mr Robb)". The port's acquisition sparked a major controversy after then US president Barack Obama complained he hadn't been forewarned. Oh, that was like 7 years ago, said Dutton about Former Trade Minister Andrew Robbs advocacy to give Chinese company Landbridge a 99-year lease to the Port of Darwin. At these challenging times, we need to work hard to reverse the souring of our political relationship. Dr Garrick said the luxury hotel project was a further extension of the interests of the group, "an entrenchment of their strategic positions", given its location on the waterfront, right next to Parliament House and Government House. "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.". But the fear of angering China has weighed heavily on Australian-elected officials, with the greatest fear coming in the form of economic sanctions. Mr Robb said he was not doing business in Australia so could not be captured by the new scheme. "Oh, that was like 7 years ago," said Dutton about Former Trade Minister Andrew Robb's advocacy to give Chinese company Landbridge a 99-year lease to the Port of Darwin. Please login to engage in the commentary. Not much, according to defence experts and academics, but there's a few outstanding issues of interest with the whole saga. Australia's warm relationship with China has developed frostbite in the five short years since the deal was signed. Read more: 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. more. Dr Garrick said Australia needed to get over its fear and be aware of Chinese strategies, suggesting it was necessary to engage in a public debate about China's wielding of power and influence in Australia. Why don't more Australians know about the bombing of Darwin? Former ministers are banned from lobbying the Australian Government for 18 months, meaning Mr Robb would have to wait another year before he can advocate for the Landbridge Group on trade matters. Soft power goes hard: China's economic interest in the Pacific comes with strings attached. Mr Robb continues to advocate for Australia to back the policy although has previously insisted this is unconnected to his Landbridge consultancy. A companydocument revealed that the consulting contract was so vague and ill-defined he would be paid even if he did nothing. Chinese President Xi Jinping and then prime minister Tony Abbott witness the signing of the declaration of intent on the Australia/China Free Trade Agreement at Parliament House in Canberra.Credit: Kym Smith, Mr Robb did not answer specific questions about his dealings with Landbridge, but said in a statement: "I can confirm that I fully understand my responsibilities as a former member of cabinet, and I can also confirm that I have, at all times, acted in accordance with those responsibilities.". A Chinese company that owns a 99-year lease on Darwin port has warned that its treatment at the hands of the Australian government risks scaring away investors from other countries. The company has previously denied its operations are influenced by the Communist Party and stated that Mr Robb was not engaged in political representation on its behalf in Australia. From left, now Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Landbridge chief Ye Cheng and then trade minister Andrew Robb at a northern development conference in 2015. Credit: Glenn Campbell. In cases like Sri Lanka, China offered loans to build infrastructure. [19][20] Landbridge Group is chaired by Ye Cheng, a billionaire with links to the Chinese Communist Party. Nine years of serving you has come to an end! Mr Ye placed Mr Robb on his payroll 10 weeks later. Any attempt by Landbridge to use the port as security to borrow money from a Chinese bank would trigger renegotiation of the lease. "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. There are endless opportunities in Northern Australia; the trick is to have government truly engaged as a partner in attracting the critical investment dollars. Regardless of the merits of the comment (which the boss of ASIO has dismissed as dangerous and divisive from Dutton), it hardly comes as a surprise that China might one someone else in power other than the party that has openly attacked and started trade wars with them. From left, now Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Landbridge chief Ye Cheng and then trade minister Andrew Robb at a northern development conference in 2015. revealed his fee, and that he had joined the company straight after quitting parliament, has been blocked from entering Australia and has had his permanent residency cancelled, continues to advocate for Australia to back the policy. Ninety-six years is a long time by any standard. He is also a former gold trader and economic commentator at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the ABC and Business Spectator. / -12.4708; 130.8483.