ASB and Port of Darwin

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-19/dutton-laughs-off-provocative-remarks-by-top-chinese-diplomat/100634542

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has been very rude to China's acting Ambassador to Australia over Landbridge's lease of Port of Darwin.

It looks to me as if this key asset will become available - the federal review will likely recommend any corporation with links to the Chinese Communist Party be excluded.

Landbridge paid $A505m for the 99 year lease in 2015.

Security-credentialled operators acceptable to the ADF and USN are few in number. ASB certainly meets this requirement.

The discounted purchase could be funded with a large loan from NAIF, which is full of money it hasn't or can't spend.

ASB could JV with Oz super funds keen for a long-term reliable income stream. Or perhaps US private equity operator Cerberus it has bid for Subic Bay with.

ASB is only really interested in the fun bits. It has a ~$300m cash pile and could easily stump up the equity for the ship repair and victualling areas.

Ash