Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
New US naval base proposed at Glyde Point near Darwin IPAN MR 29 July 2019
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29th July 2019
New US naval base proposed at Glyde Point 40 km from Darwin despite just one month ago saying there were no plans for this.
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) Spokesperson Justin Tutty said we have conflicting views coming from the Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and asks, what are we to believe from the government?
Just last month the ABC revealed that secret planning had begun for a new commercial port facility just outside Darwin which could eventually help US Marines operate more readily in the Indo-Pacific.
Following the report, Australia’s Defence Department insisted it had “no plans for the development of a new naval facility in the Northern Territory”, while Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner denied any knowledge of such a proposal.
In April Defence Minister Ms Reynolds was calling for Western Australia to be a “hub and the base for operations for all of our allies in the Indian Ocean,” she also said “We need dual-use facilities right up the coast.”
“We can only assume that the Australian Defence Department is either withholding information or is being kept in the dark by the USA” said Mr Tutty.
This, and other matters affecting Australia’s independence and involvement in wars unrelated to the defence of Australia will be the subject of presentations by high profile speakers including Greens Senator Jordan Steele John at the upcoming IPAN National Conference in Darwin August 2-4. See ipan.org.au for details.
Media Interviews: Contact Justin Tutty 0424028741
IPAN Media Liaison: Kathryn Kelly, contact 0417 269 984