IPAN condemns moves to expand the US military presence in Australia – Media Release 7 September 2026

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IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO and Kellie Tranter, Lawyer & Human Rights Advocate

   MEDIA RELEASE                            7 September 2026

  • The latest Australia–United States discussions committed both countries to accelerate existing US force posture initiatives at Australian bases, bolster combined logistics and build greater military interoperability.
  • The prepositioning of military stores, munitions and fuel, together with infrastructure development to support joint operations, is creating a de facto permanent US military presence in Australia.
  • IPAN maintains that Australia’s security depends on independent, non-offensive defence, diplomacy and regional cooperation—not deeper military integration with the United States.

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) condemns moves to expand the US military presence in Australia. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles confirmed this week that Australia and the United States are considering further force posture initiatives for announcement at the Australia–United States Ministerial Consultations later this year.

‘IPAN has always opposed the use of Australian defence facilities for the permanent rotation of US military forces and the stationing of critical infrastructure to support that presence. The announcement that Australia will become host to even greater levels of US force presence is deeply concerning,’ said IPAN spokesperson, Dr Vince Scappatura.

The latest United States readout says the two governments have agreed to accelerate force posture initiatives at Australian bases, strengthen combined logistics and expand interoperability through joint exercises. It also declares greater cooperation to build shared capacity for guided weapons and next-generation capabilities.

Since 2022, state governments have publicly committed to identifying priority locations for enhanced US force posture and to preposition military stores, munitions and fuel. We oppose these commitments. 

The current framework includes US Marine rotations through Darwin, increased rotations and visits by US aircraft, naval vessels and submarines, enhanced space cooperation and expanded logistics, maintenance and sustainment arrangements through the Combined Logistics, Sustainment and Maintenance Enterprise. 

The announcement to accelerate the force posture initiatives is already evident as the first B-52 Bomber Task Force rotation to RAAF Base Tindal is underway after extensive infrastructure upgrades.

‘This marks a significant development in the Australia–US alliance. For the first time since the Second World War, Australia is hosting US strategic bombers that are postured for real-world operations, potentially including nuclear operations. Senior Pentagon officials have identified Australian airbases as strategically valuable for generating long-range bomber strikes and tanker operations in potential conflicts with China. This raises serious questions about the role Australian territory could play in a future US-China conflict,’ said Dr Scappatura.

‘We oppose these new commitments and believe this expanded force-posture framework should be progressively phased out,’ concluded Dr Scappatura.

Minister Marles has described the expanding US force posture as spanning logistics, air force cooperation, cyber and space. IPAN is deeply concerned that this growing multi-domain integration is further entrenching Australia’s military enmeshment with the United States and constraining its capacity to make independent defence and strategic decisions.

eMinister Marles has said that four successive annual government announcements have added $117 billion to the ten-year defence-spending program, with spending projected to reach 2.8 per cent of GDP by the NATO measure and 3 per cent by 2033. IPAN considers this an alarming escalation of military spending at a time when essential social, environmental and community needs remain inadequately funded.

IPAN is increasingly hearing from Australians concerned about the Australia–United States alliance, AUKUS and the growing US military presence in Australia. 

These concerns are reflected in a nationally representative YouGov poll conducted for The Australia Institute, in which 59 per cent of respondents said Australia’s interests are better served by a more independent foreign policy than by a closer alliance with the United States, while 33 per cent said AUKUS was not in Australia’s best interests. 

Broader public interest is also evident in the independent Public Inquiry into AUKUS, which has received more than 900 submissions.

‘IPAN believes that making more Australian territory and facilities available for US military activities will further erode Australia’s already diminished sovereignty and strategic autonomy,’ said Dr Scappatura.

‘The Government must not commit Australia to further arrangements without full parliamentary scrutiny, transparent public disclosure and cumulative environmental and community-impact assessment,’ said Dr Scappatura.

Real security requires resilient communities, climate action, secure housing, properly funded health, disability and education services, diplomacy, peacebuilding, strong humanitarian capacity and respectful cooperation with regional neighbours.

Australia needs a foreign and defence policy grounded in regional diplomacy, peacebuilding, climate action and an independent, non-offensive territorial defence posture. 

‘The path to a more secure future lies in a peaceful, self-reliant and cooperative Australia, working constructively in our region,’ said Dr Scappatura.

ENDS

For Media Interviews: Vince Scappatura; Mobile: 0422 837 002

Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow Mobile: 0403 611 815

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Bio: Dr Vince Scappatura teaches Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University. His latest book is The US Lobby and Australian Defence Policy. Panel Member for the IPAN People’s Inquiry (2020-2022)