Smith flags US Military presence in Territory
The Federal Government has confirmed it is in talks with the US about stepping up an American military presence in the Northern Territory.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith is in Darwin today to talk with the Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson about increasing the number of joint training exercises involving Australian and US defence personnel.
Mr Smith says the United States is also looking at positioning equipment in the Territory so troops can play a greater role in disaster relief in the Asia Pacific.
"The closer you can pre-position stores and equipment for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, the more quickly you can get in to the field," he said.
Mr Smith says there have also been discussions about buying land near Robertson Barracks in Darwin for this purpose.
He says there are plans for more American boats, planes and troops to visit or be based in the Territory.
"We have been working closely to look at the possibility of more training, more exercises," he said.
So, if Indonesia gets ambitious, they'll have something else to think about perhaps?
