The Liberals’ China Hypocrisy: How the LNP Talks Tough but Sells Out National Security

When it comes to China, the Liberal-National Party (LNP) loves to talk tough. Every election cycle, they brand themselves as the defenders of national security, warning of foreign interference and the need for a stronger military. But a closer look at their record tells a different story—one where economic deals and political patronage often take priority over Australia’s long-term security interests.

The Port of Darwin Sale: A $506 Million Security Blunder

Perhaps the most glaring example of the Coalition’s hypocrisy on China is the 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin to Chinese-owned Landbridge Group.

In 2015, the Northern Territory’s then-Liberal government granted the lease for just $506 million, despite the port’s strategic importance. The deal was rubber-stamped without federal oversight, bypassing the Foreign Investment Review Board and raising alarms within Defence and intelligence circles. At the time, then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull dismissed national security concerns, claiming Australia had nothing to worry about.

That argument didn’t age well. By 2021, with growing concerns over Chinese influence, the federal government was forced to review the lease—a review that Labor inherited when it took office in 2022.

Had the deal been signed under a Labor government, the LNP would have accused them of selling out national security. Yet when they did it, they claimed it was simply good business.

Defence Spending: Who Really Benefits?

The LNP talks a big game about military strength and countering Chinese influence. But their approach to defence often seems more about directing lucrative contracts to political allies than actually building capability.

During their time in office, the Liberals poured billions into defence projects with minimal accountability. Defence procurement became a revolving door of cost overruns, delays, and handouts to private contractors, many of whom had connections to LNP politicians.

The French submarine deal, scrapped in favour of AUKUS nuclear subs, was one of the most expensive debacles in Australian military history. The government spent billions before abandoning it entirely, leaving Australian taxpayers on the hook for $835 million in compensation payments—a sum that could have gone to actual military capability.

Meanwhile, despite announcing ambitious military upgrades, the LNP failed to deliver key defence projects on time or within budget, including:

• Hobart-class air warfare destroyers (delayed and over budget)
• Hunter-class frigates (ongoing delays, cost blowouts)
• Armoured vehicle programs (significant mismanagement)

While Australia does need to invest in defence, the LNP’s record suggests that their real priority wasn’t military strength—it was ensuring that the right people got paid.

China, Trade, and Political Double Standards

Despite their aggressive rhetoric against China, the LNP government continued to deepen Australia’s economic reliance on Beijing while attacking Labor for even engaging in diplomacy.

• Under Scott Morrison, Australia’s trade with China reached record highs—even as diplomatic tensions escalated.
• The Chinese investment review process remained lax—with critical assets like energy, agriculture, and infrastructure continuing to attract foreign ownership.
• The Morrison government mishandled Australia’s relationship with China, triggering retaliatory trade tariffs that hurt Australian exporters.

Meanwhile, when Labor works to stabilise relations with China, the LNP cries “appeasement.” The hypocrisy is staggering.

The “Tough on China” Act is Just That—An Act

In opposition, the Liberals are positioning themselves as the only party capable of standing up to Beijing. But their record in government proves otherwise. They handed over strategic infrastructure, mismanaged defence procurement, and let political connections dictate spending priorities.

Now, heading into the 2025 election, they have yet to present a serious, coherent defence policy—choosing instead to shout “China” and hope voters forget their track record.

Australians deserve a real conversation about national security, defence spending, and foreign influence—one based on facts, not political theatre.

Source List

• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-28/landbridge-darwin-port-lease-under-cloud-after-audit/104657986
• https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/handling-of-darwin-port-lease-a-fiasco-on-both-sides-of-politics/
• https://www.e-ir.info/2024/02/24/australia-china-and-the-darwin-port-lease-as-a-public-private-partnership/
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/kevin-rudd-attacks-idiot-peter-dutton-over-hairy-chested-comments-on-china
• https://www.mastermariners.org.au/news-and-articles/archived-articles-2/3342-how-and-why-did-the-northern-territory-lease-the-darwin-port-to-china-and-at-what-risk