U.S. Marines to be based in Darwin

Excellent!

I, for one, welcome our new overlords, I mean friends :-)

Seriously though, strength through unity.

@ReformedBasher

China? :-)

Looks like Australia is having some reservations about China.

Australia is resource rich, low population and in the Pacific. Also a strong partner with America. Makes sense to have a military base. Kills many birds with one Boomerang. For the support Aust gave the war on Terror it got a trade agreement in return, didn't destroy the economy or culture. Darwin is a nice place recently was voted top destination. Consider it a stationary aircraft carrier ready to pounce on any local disturbance, man made or natural.

For how long has China been the boogeyman? A long long time. And what have they done exactly but beef up their military, a teensy bit compared to America, while they remain still technically at war with Taiwan and have American spy flights and vessels just off their borders. They don't even have an aircraft carrier yet!

Meanwhile, the American empire keeps expanding. America outspends China militarily by nine times. Count it with me 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9! America has attacked two soveign nations in the last ten years without proper cause. America has hundres of military bases in 130 foreign countries all across the globe, with the number not only increasing, but bases also expanding.

And mark my words, some certain Aussies are going to get filthy rich from this from American and Aussie money, and at no tangible benefit to Australia.

Could I encourage everyone to pull their heads out of the sand for just a second? How many bases does China have in other countries at this point in time? Look it up. Now, why is everyone so chicken turd scared of China?

I am gonna have a hard time explaining this to my friends from Australia this is not the Obama that I voted for no way

What a big deal? China also has rented a satellite tracking station in Australia for the recently spacecraft docking. USA can put its navy in any country where it wants and who cares as long as it does not put its navy/army in China or Taiwan.

I feel bad for the troops that will be stationed there. Darwin is not the most fun city in Australia. It is remote, Incredibly hot all year round and as boring as watching paint dry.

“China certainly comes into their thinking, but it’s not all about China,” said Shearer, the director of studies at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. It's not all about China, in this case, Pussinboots agree there are panic merchants. But Australia is a long way from China. The local economy would benefit some as more people = more money. American troops have been in Australia before and helped greatly against an aggressive expansionist Empire. Always welcome in an emergency, and apparently up to no good when preparing for an emergency. Not going to get into the invasions, off topic and not the case here

Good for Everyone there.

3 thumbs down, but no one wants to answer how many foreign military bases China has. Pretty telling. Sorry for kicking dirt in your snorkles while your heads were buried in the sand. Carry on. Lets just keep building bases around China, today Darwin, in five years, we can put one in Mongolia perhaps. I am sure the Chinese won't notice or mind.

PussInBoots: How many bases does China have in other countries at this point in time? Look it up.

Probably about the same as the number of countries who want Chinese bases on their soil.

Now, why is everyone so chicken turd scared of China?

You speak as if the US is somehow twisting Australia's arm and forcing them to accept a base. Both countries decided they wanted the troops there. Get over it.

Pussinboots are you counting the Han Chinese invasion of Tibet?? Those Muslims Uighurs?? Many people in so called China are living in terror of Beijing!! Can we count these Chinese bases?? Their victims?? The USA in Australia is nothing new!! Ta mates!!

Cricky old boy, you took the words right out of me mouth! Great comments!

There are hundreds of bases on occupied land in Asia. Mexicano just touched on it.

Probably about the same as the number of countries who want Chinese bases on their soil.

So you believe every country with an American base wants that base? Are you under the impression that the Australian people were polled on this question? Or do you consider the few people in government who made the decision to "be the country"?

At this time, China is having talks with other countries' governments about setting up foreign bases. Something tells me you are not going to trot out this "wants the bases stuff" if and when they actually get a base.

You speak as if the US is somehow twisting Australia's arm and forcing them to accept a base.

I specifically suggested palms were greased. I also suggested the people were pimped with needless fear. And now I tell you the people, the ones I consider to actually be the country, were simply not asked.

Now, here is where you turn around and suggest the people vote for a different party next election, based on the single solitary issue of this base, at the expense of all other issues facing Australia, and conveniently forget that by that time, the base will most likely be built.

PussInBoots, I totally agree with you!

Nobody posting here seems to get it. Northern Australia is close to the Spratleys and Paracels, which are fast becoming the flash point between China and the nations of SE Asia (for their offshore oil reserves). The stationing of US Marines there is a not-so-subtle hint to China that it should temper its aggressive territorial claims.

Since most posters here aren't australian it won't affect them, neither will the bases in Okinawa, etc.

Yeah, some non-native posters are rather vocal. But the USA relies on and needs military bases in the region for their own purposes. Notice few people complain about the "Top Gun" base in Myanmar/Burma, etc.

Good to see the Aussies recognize they are a Third World country when confronted with maintaining the peace in their neck of the woods and seek assistance from the remaining superpower on Earth.

The U.S. leads the way. Second place is still open.

RR

PussInBoots

So you believe every country with an American base wants that base? Are you under the impression that the Australian people were polled on this question? Or do you consider the few people in government who made the decision to "be the country"?

Let me ask you this, are you an Australian? If not then what has this got to do with you. If you are may l suggest a review of history to see why this is a good idea and is in Australia's best interests.

I specifically suggested palms were greased. I also suggested the people were pimped with needless fear. And now I tell you the people, the ones I consider to actually be the country, were simply not asked.

Pussinboots, as an Australian l say this is a good thing. I doubt very much that palms where greased because this idea was actually brought up by the Australian government months ago and they offered it to the US. As for needless fear let me see Australia is a massive landmass nearly as big a the US yet with a population of only 23 million. As such we have a small but powerful military, so additional manpower in the form of the US military is welcomed. Also to be considered is the fact we are a resource rich nation which makes us an inviting target for resource poor nations. Even taking China out of the equation why do you think the bulk of Australia's military is based in Northern Australia? Because that is the most threatened area, we have had military run ins in the past with Malaysia, Indonesia. Remember East Timor? How close that came to a shooting match between Australia and Indonesia and that was only a few years ago. Not to mention that Indonesia is a terrorist breeding ground (Bali, Jakarta, bombings) all targeting Australians and westerners. So even without the risk from China we have aggressors closer to home.

Now, here is where you turn around and suggest the people vote for a different party next election, based on the single solitary issue of this base, at the expense of all other issues facing Australia, and conveniently forget that by that time, the base will most likely be built.

2 things here, the base will not be an election issue. The carbon tax will, besides that l think you will find that both sides of parliament will support this issue as its been on the cards for years. The US has bases in Oz already, they hold exercises yearly they visit and have a presence. And as for the base its built already, its called Robertson Barracks and is home to Australia's armoured and infantry units. You will also be suprised when they build these bases they already build them bigger than needed to allow for expansion just check out RAAF bases for an example.

As It'S ME says if your not an Aussie it wont affect you!

RomeoR,

I don't know where you get third world country from. Considering Australia has had your back in your last few adventures maybe you should rethink your statement especially when the mighty US didn't even send troops to Timor and we managed that situation without you. But it's attitudes like yours that bring out the love for the US, thankfully knuckleheads are few and far between

Next time there's civil disobedience in Australia, Canberra will call in the US Marines. As they're more likely to fire live bullets on Australia crowds.

Australia troops might hesitate before pulling the trigger.

As seen from countless videos from Afghanistan and Iraq, (some) American troops have no qualms about shooting down foreigners.

The same technique was used in Tiennamen square. The Chinese authorities brought in troops from another region as they were more likely to use force against the protestors.

Well, if it's boring down there, perhaps the Marines won't get into trouble there. But more power to them. Not sure I'd want to go down there.

So you believe every country with an American base wants that base? Are you under the impression that the Australian people were polled on this question? Or do you consider the few people in government who made the decision to "be the country"?

Phillipines people wanted the US base closed. It was closed. If the Aussie people don't want a base, they don't have to get a base.

Marines shooting Protesters, where did that come from? Australian Police have historically handled the situation. Australian army are volunteers...and have never been used in such situations. It's not an Issue in Australia.

Looks like its a mute point as the Australian government have come out this arvo and said that while there will be an increase in troops rotating through Australia and an increase in training and exercises there will be no permanent base for US personal. Unsurprisingly only the Greens dont want this, Liberal and Labor both support the idea.

Its all a game of RISK.

china has 0 military bases around the world....while the US has 700+. and they accuse china of 'military expension'? LMAO!

expansion*

It's not like there's much to do in Darwin anyways, haha!

Yiihaw! We want you-America!

dont worry australian bases are limited too; do they accuse China of that?

I'm surprised after all the Aussies that were killed in BALI Indonesia that the possibility of sending US Marines to hunt down terrorists in that country. From Darwin Australia up to the jungles of Indonesia and beyond.

PussInBoots: So you believe every country with an American base wants that base? Are you under the impression that the Australian people were polled on this question? Or do you consider the few people in government who made the decision to "be the country"?

I think the countries that host US forces do so because they are getting something out of it, yes. Sometimes it's political consideration, sometimes it's economic, and sometimes it's defensive. The US left the Philippines when told to do so. We aren't staying in Iraq because an agreement couldn't be reached. Cuba would be the obvious exception because of a leasehold. My guess is that Australia falls into the group of nations who have a base because they think it is in their best interests to have one, and if they didn't there would be no base. Do you feel differently?

May I ask how many times you've voted on a base decision in your life? Things like that aren't put up to a vote.

At this time, China is having talks with other countries' governments about setting up foreign bases.

And when it happens I look forward to reading your protest.

I specifically suggested palms were greased. I also suggested the people were pimped with needless fear. And now I tell you the people, the ones I consider to actually be the country, were simply not asked.

So what you're saying is that you assumed the people were pimped with fear, then changed your assumption when you realized they weren't asked. That's to say you had no evidence of it at all either way. I think you're letting your imagination run wild with this one. If Australia didn't think a base would be good for them (for whatever reason), then there would be no base.

In the history of 235years of the US armed force....there was never a defeat and humilation like the US marines running away from North Korea under the attack of Chinese army! It was a sad news to know that humilation still haunting them and until now! They were still staying away as far as possible from Chinese missiles can reach,a wise move to choose Darwin for their base, although it was a symbolic presents in pacific. I think the Chinese military high command shall not using their valuable ICBM to netutralize them because doesnt worth it!

Base in Oz..........h'm cud this at some point lead to a transfer of US assets/personnel from Japan at some point me wonders.......

Australian army are volunteers...

As in they dont get paid? Not quite.

Good to see the Aussies recognize they are a Third World country and seek assistance from the remaining superpower on Earth.

Ordinary comment. This base is a US initiative and not the other way around. Australia has been allied to the US since before WWI so it isnt a new partnership. In fact, it is one of the oldest alliances in the world today. As for Third World, I have no doubt that the US would gladly swap economies with that of Australia.

just-a-guy: In the history of 235years of the US armed force....there was never a defeat and humilation like the US marines running away from North Korea under the attack of Chinese army! It was a sad news to know that humilation still haunting them and until now! They were still staying away as far as possible from Chinese missiles can reach,a wise move to choose Darwin for their base, although it was a symbolic presents in pacific. I think the Chinese military high command shall not using their valuable ICBM to netutralize them because doesnt worth it!

The say that the Chinese government promotes blind patriotism as a way to distract their people from thinking about the government's refusal to allow political dissent. I have to say that when I read just-a-guy's posts it's hard to imagine that theory to be incorrect.

This should really energize the economy of Darwin, which if memory serves, could use it. As was stated upthread, Darwin doesn't have the greatest of nightlife. The infusion of the Marines will change that and the local housing economy should really benefit as well as Uncle Sam always pays premium rent.

Taka

As a small L libertarian I would like to see the number of US bases reduced but as a JT poster seeing that "Just a Guy" is obviously terrified by this move I can support it.

Absolutely fantastic - free disaster aid and anti-piracy for other sovereign nations - all of course, paid for with my tax dollars - deducted from my unemployment check - which runs out shortly - let's see the IRS tax nothing! Gyahahahaha...

Everyone here is missing one thing; oil rich Indonesia. Strategically, setting US troops in Darwin is a good move.

This would be a good hitch.

Darwin boring but... What's this?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-31/20111031-lonely-planet-darwin/3610350

Kumibo

I am not Australian but I do have enough Aussie friends who tell me that they are worried about not only Indonesia, Alqaeda breeding grounds for terrorism in that country with the biggest Muslim population on the face of the earth and also like the rest of Asia, worried that CHINA is trying to slowly but surely try to get more and more power, influence in not only Australia, but also in Vietnam etc..so it is only natural for the FREE WORLD to support US Marines in Darwin and so forth, not even the Chinese are happy with their so called version of socialism/communism, only a few Chinese have lots of $$$$ while the majority in that country are struggling to survive and if they can not make it there in the Chinese motherland, well better to find big, clean countries with freedom and $$$ like Australia and so forth, right?? If I was a dirt poor Chinese dude living in the middle of no where, would I rather keep suffering under Beijing or take my chances down in Australia?? Africa?? etc..Easy answer mates.

Hide your women and children, and lock your doors.

This would be a good hitch.

I don't think the Marines are going to have a hard time finding volunteers to go to Australia. The Navy sure doesn't.

Taka

There will be no US navy or army base in Australia. The news was a false alarm, typical western media - free to spread rumor.

so which is?

maybe they got a whiff of Darwin prices....

but its comments like GW that annoys me "Base in Oz..........h'm cud this at some point lead to a transfer of US assets/personnel from Japan at some point me wonders......." Playing both sides of the fence, not saying what you mean. America can handle both spots and you know it. It assumes that you have the position to fling your personnel around where-ever you feel is fit-and that is the attitude that has caused a riff in the US, right. You have to say with your mouth(well in this case writing) where your faith lies. Japan or Australia, or both, but you cant fling the Im the authority on it, around. Do you realize how much a mental game you play with that? And I can tell you the people that have been affected is not low in number.

illsayit

I am neither Japanese, American or Australian, I was just tossing out that little bit to make people think a bit, see what may or may not be playing out, my apologies if I gave your brain an overload, sorry to confuse yr world

As long as US Marines learn about rugby and cricket and surfing everything fare dinkum mates!!

amigo there is no surfing in Darwin

So where are you from the GW? Did I touch a nerve, you got a little rude there-and people are so dumb that they couldnt think of that real way out there tangent of moving personnel from Japan to Australia? Japan would do better by moving their AMerican friends from Okinawa to the mainland. SO whose personnel are you talking about moving? Yours? Or maybe youre European in flavour-even England gets their haughty taughty times; which wouldnt they envy that closeness of between these two countries

My guess is that Australia falls into the group of nations who have a base because they think it is in their best interests to have one, and if they didn't there would be no base. Do you feel differently?

How does your guess compare to an acutal vote?

May I ask how many times you've voted on a base decision in your life? Things like that aren't put up to a vote.

Is that what you call democracy? I have better questions: Would you like such a vote? Do you think people in democratic countries should have such a vote?

So what you're saying is that you assumed the people were pimped with fear, then changed your assumption when you realized they weren't asked.

Its really not that hard to figure out. The fat cats get money so they bring in a base. The people are kept placated from protesting by instilling them with fear.

If Australia didn't think a base would be good for them (for whatever reason), then there would be no base.

Right, because any time people think something won't be good for them, they instantly sprout a protest sign from their forearm, jump off the sofa and go chant slogans.

"Never Submit" :

Next time there's civil disobedience in Australia, Canberra will call in the US Marines. As they're more likely to fire live bullets on Australia crowds.

Seen a map of Australia? Darwin to Perth - 1650 miles; Darwin to Sydney - 1956 miles. Darwin to Adelaide - 1625 miles. That's like saying if Obama's crony pals in Chicago had to shut down an OccupyChicago dorkfest that got a little out of hand they would have Marines dispatched from San Diego.

Faceless1: How does your guess compare to an acutal vote?

Well then I guess Australia isn't a democracy. Let me get you a tissue.

Well then I guess Australia isn't a democracy.

Its a representative democracy. Still I see no reason why an issue this oddball and of this import should not be put a popular vote. Its not like one could expect a politician of any flavor to vote against a big money issue.

Let me get you a tissue.

I would rather you lose the unnecessary flippancy. That sentence really said a whole lot of nothing. It is possible to be flippant and actually say something you know.

We both know that putting strategic military decision-making up for popular vote is absurd. Your personal opposition to any one action doesn't change that.

How many foreign nations have military bases in the US?

No country willingly allows foreign military bases on their soil. All US bases all over the world are there against the will of the people in those countries. Yes the US is very good at manipulating other nations via varied means but this is why the US is so universally feared and mistrusted.

Just to follow up my previous post I am an Australian an ex serviceman and I have worked with US forces here and in the States. I don't have a problem with marines or any other American and have got drunk with Americans on many an occasion but this is my country and only the ADF gets to play defense in my country.

Allan Jeffreys,

As an ex serviceman then surely you know that the ADF would not be able to stop any major aggression towards Australia. We simply dont have the manpower to cover the required region to stop a determined hostile action, given the history with the US what would it hurt to have a US base in Australia?

How many foreign nations have military bases in the US?

Plenty nations send their soldiers to train in the US. We share command of North American air space with Canadian forces, and I believe that means under the co-command agreement some Canadian Air Force members work in the US, and vice versa.

I don't have a problem with marines or any other American and have got drunk with Americans on many an occasion but this is my country and only the ADF gets to play defense in my country.

But you want US hardware and intel...

unreconstructed

But you want US hardware and intel...

Actually we buy US hardware, but we do not exclusively buy from the US as you are no doubt aware. As for the intel we allow the US to operate facilities in Australia and even then the US doesnt give us full access to the information. Go figure, they are happy to use our facilities but wont share info....

I am all for a US base, but that doesnt mean we can be bullied or coerced with threats like yours oh we will withhold this or that if you dont cooperate. In that case l would be more than happy to say bye bye US. We dont need your hardware we can get it elsewhere.

Allan Jeffries: How many foreign nations have military bases in the US?

For the need to project power into Canada and Mexico?

No country willingly allows foreign military bases on their soil.

If you said that every country would prefer to be in a position where they could live in a world where a US base doesn't help them, then I'd agree. But saying that all the bases are put there with force and coercion and done against the host country's will is absurd. The US and Australia have a very long history of cooperation, easily one of the strongest alliances in the world today. Unless you have specific evidence that their arm is being twisted I don't see why you won't entertain the thought that the Aussies see benefit from the base and they want it there.

Enough Aussies were captured and tortured by the Japanese during WW2 and who came to their rescue?? The US Marines!! If Australia suffered from Japan imagine what the Chinese would do to Australia??

Oh for crying out loud.

There is not going to be a "US Marine base" in Darwin. A small number of Marines will rotate in and out of the barracks currently there. The US and Australia have a long history as close allies. Closer even I would say than the US and Britain. And if Australia does not want us there, they have to but say the word, and we will not be there.

Leave it to the media to make it look like a takeover. That kind of stuff sells newspapers i guess.

So gillard has back flipped again, just last week she said there will be no permanent basing of US troops now today she announces 2500 troops to be based in Darwin. Personally l am not against the idea of having US troops based in Oz, in fact l whole heartedly support the idea. What l am against is the PM that no-one elected lying to the public AGAIN. She has lied about this, she has lied about the carbon tax just to name a few. She has to go as she is a lying disgrace of a PM, bring on the election!!!