Protests promised against new US base

Peace activists immediately protested the announcement last 
Monday by Defence Minister Hill in Singapore that an "in 
principle" agreement had been made to establish yet another 
United States military base in Australia.

"Australia already has too many US military facilities on our 
soil. We do not want another one", Dr Hannah Middleton, 
spokesperson for the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition 
said in response to the announcement.

Senator Hill claims the new base will "enhance mutual capability, 
ensure interoperability and to assist a critically important ally 
is simply Government spin for the gradual fusion of the 
Australian Defence Force into a de-facto arm of the United States 
military", Dr Middleton said.

"The decision is another step in the militarisation of Australia 
which we simply cannot afford. Australia's current military 
budget is already a staggering $55 million a day. 

"At the same time Prime Minister Howard claims we cannot afford 
Medicare or to upgrade public schools, cut university fees, 
support childcare, tackle poverty or create jobs.

"The new base will lock up huge areas of our territory and 
contaminate it with unexploded ordnance.

"By signing up as a front line collaborator with the US military, 
the Howard Government is putting all Australians in danger.

"Australia does not have to be a cog in the US military machine. 
An independent, made-in-Australia policy for reduced military 
spending and respect for the sovereign rights of nations to 
independence, equality and self determination is a better way to 
defend Australia", Dr Middleton concluded.