ISABELLE MULLEN: It’s crystal clear that the 2015 decision to flog off the Darwin Port was a massive mistake

The Port of Darwin is one of Australia’s most important strategic assets.

Not only is it a key part of a major trading route, but it is positioned right on the doorstep of south-east Asia.

In a time of global uncertainty, it seems incomprehensible that Australia doesn’t own its own gateway to Asia.

China does.

So why has it taken so long for Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton to start seriously talking about buying it back?

“There has been a lot of debate over this for a long period of time and it is clear that a mistake was made many years ago in relation to the lease,” the Opposition Leader told reporters in Darwin.

It was sold for $506 million in 2015, flogged off by the Territory government’s Country Liberal Party under then chief minister Adam Giles.

The sale meant the Chinese-owned Landbridge group was handed a 99-year lease.

At the time, turnover at the port was low, and the Territory government was looking for a fast cash injection, after years of lobbying the Commonwealth for greater investment.

Now, the strategic environment has changed.

“An elected Coalition government will move immediately to secure the Darwin Port,” Mr Dutton said.

He said if he’s successful he will give Landbridge six months to sell. If it doesn’t, his government would enforce compulsory acquisition.

The once rinky-dink Darwin Port is now one of Australia’s most high stakes assets, and a pivotal talking point at this Federal election.

Mr Albanese has hinted at a big announcement some time during the campaign.

Last Thursday, I asked the Prime Minister what his plan for the port was.

“I’ll have more to say about that later,” he replied.

Mr Dutton has forced Mr Albanese to talk about it now.

The Prime Minister faced a barrage of questions at his press conference in Queensland.

“We have a clear view, which is that (the port) should be in Australian hands, and Peter Dutton was in the cabinet that sold it,” he said.

Both the Coalition and Labor have put national security and defence at the heart of their campaigns.

“We need to deal with the strategic circumstances of the moment. The position has only deteriorated, and we have seen the circumnavigation of our country by Chinese naval ships,” Mr Dutton said.

Landbridge has extensive links to the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army.

Its billionaire owner Ye Cheng was named by the Chinese Government as one of the top 10 individuals “caring about the development of national defence”.

The decision to sell — although controversial at the time — highlighted a lack of foresight that undermined our national interest.

American marines use the port each year and are on the record stating their concerns about the potential for China to spy on American and Australian navy ships.

Australia appears to be on the back foot.

But now, with Chinese military and “research” vessels an increasingly common sight in our waters, national security is a big part of this campaign agenda.

The People’s Liberation Army-Navy Task Group 107 was spotted operating in the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian Islands last month.

The Port of Darwin is our closest strategic asset.

Mr Albanese wants it back in Australian hands.

“I want this to go into Australian ownership, but I prefer it to be Australian ownership through the private sector,” he said.

The Prime Minister has spent two and a half years trying to juggle our national security interests and investment with our largest trading partner.

But this election will force him to take a tougher stance.

If he doesn’t, he could hand the keys to the Lodge to Peter Dutton.