FORMER Treasurer and soon-to-be Australian envoy to Washington Joe Hockey (pictured) was in town this week for meetings with NT Government officials, including the controversial sale of the Darwin Port, the NT News -understands. 
A Government source said the meeting also covered Northern Australia development and Defence matters.
"Probably 95 per cent of the discussion was about developing Northern Australia," he said. "He did get briefed on the port deal and how it sits with the plans for the Chinese Silk Road and the conditions of the deal. There was discussion about Defence and the American presence." The $506 million sale of the Darwin Port to Chinese-owned Landbridge stirred controversy last year, prompting US President Barack Obama to tell Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to give the US a "heads up" next time they approve the sale or lease of an internationally significant piece of infrastructure.
Mr Turnbull has stated the lease met all proper standards and defence conditions. Federal Labor is undertaking a senate inquiry into the matter.
Mr Hockey was dumped as Treasurer by Mr Turnbull last   September and appointed Australia's ambassador to the United States in   December.He will start this month.