Both our Defence Minister - Stephen Smith and some over decorated US General - are at pains to point out via our very reliable and high quality media that there are "No US Military Bases in Australia". No siree.
They said that there might be a few joint facilities and that we might be looking to establish a few dozen more - but there are no actual US Military Bases here.
Mainly because both the US and Australian governments know that anything that is called a "US Military Base" would not gain the approval of the Australian people. So they call them something else - *joint facilities* is the current terminology. But when that wears thin they will use other more obscure words.
The real test of these *joint facilities* is "Could they exist without the US Military presence"?
And the short answer is no. Clearly these *joint facilities* exist because the US wants and needs them to pursue their regional ambition.
Is *empire* too strong a word? Maybe the International Diplomat has a view?
Dare I say it? The US want *joint facilities* on Australian soil to demonstrate to China's leadership that Australia and The United States are united in the quest to exert *control* over the Asia-Pacific Region.
Pity that this issue has never been discussed with the Australian people - or debated in our Parliament.
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