By Australians for War Powers Reform, July 1, 2026

Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR) is pleased to endorse the Close Pine Gap convergence taking place in July 2026 to mark 60 years of the base’s operation.

The base and other U.S. facilities in Australia have been shrouded in secrecy for many years, with successive governments refusing to release, even basic, non-sensitive information about their roles.

This severe lack of transparency is unacceptable in a modern democratic country and it is unsurprising that the community is increasingly demanding accountability.

Rather than being more open about U.S. bases in Australia and their role in conflicts around the world, the Albanese government is pushing ahead with the AUKUS and other military pacts – such as the Force Posture Agreement – which are entrenching secrecy and vastly expanding the US military footprint in this country.

As just one example of these – a massive 1.6 billion dollars is currently being spent to upgrade the Tindal RAAF base in the Northern Territory and media reports describe six B-52, long-range, nuclear-capable bombers being “housed” there.

But so far there’s been no proper public or parliamentary debate about Australia’s increasing involvement in the US nuclear weapons system. Ministers refuse to ask and are not told if US aircraft in Australia are nuclear-armed. No safe disposal of naval nuclear reactor waste has been established – here or anywhere.

The unprecedented illegal slaughter of civilians in Gaza over the last two and a half years by the Israeli government has also raised serious issues about what role US bases in Australia are playing.

The US has offered full support to the Netanyahu government providing billions of dollars’ worth of weaponry and importantly, high tech communications and satellite assistance.

The Australian community does not want bases on Australian soil helping the Israeli government carry out a genocide.

Despite widespread criticism and concern the Albanese government has failed to provide transparency about our involvement in the attacks on Gaza.

This includes constantly denying that Australian military exports have been sent to Israel and refusing to condemn the killing of at least 73,000 people including 20,000 children.

The Australian government has completely failed to articulate any basic rationale for the continued existence of Pine Gap and other foreign facilities, beyond simplistic “national security” slogans.

The government has also failed to respond adequately to all requests for full transparency about the bases and as a result has failed to convince the public or build any social licence for these military bases.

AWPR therefore welcomes the convergence and supports all efforts to once again draw attention to these crucial issues.

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