Resources Minister Keith Pitt says the federal government “clearly had concerns” regarding leases of sovereign land and strategic assets to China by the states, which is why it sought to change its laws to revoke or stop any future arrangements.

“We’re well aware of the changes in terms of the ease put forward by the New South Wales government, similar to the ones the Northern Territory did following the Port of Darwin sale some years ago,” he said.

China Merchants Port – a Chinese business committed to the Belt and Road Initiative – partially owns the Newcastle Port in New South Wales, which is the single largest coal exporter in the world.

“The Commonwealth made changes after the Port of Darwin sale to ensure those things can’t happen again without the involvement of the Commonwealth and the Foreign Investment Review Board,” he said.

“These were state decisions – it’s a state-owned port. My understanding is it was a lease for 99-years but it remains a really important part of the local economy.