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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/07/us-agrees-to-share-cost-of-american-military-presence-in-australias-northern-territory
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| US agrees to share cost of American military presence in Australia's Northern Territory US agrees to share cost of American military presence in Australia's Northern Territory | |
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| Australia and the United States have agreed to share the cost of the US military’s presence in Australia’s tropical north, a critical part of President Barack Obama’s “pivot” towards Asia, Australia’s defence minister has said. | Australia and the United States have agreed to share the cost of the US military’s presence in Australia’s tropical north, a critical part of President Barack Obama’s “pivot” towards Asia, Australia’s defence minister has said. |
| Marise Payne met the US defence secretary, Ash Carter, in Washington this week to discuss plans to double the number of US marines in the northern city of Darwin from the current 1,250 by 2020, a goal that was delayed from 2017. | Marise Payne met the US defence secretary, Ash Carter, in Washington this week to discuss plans to double the number of US marines in the northern city of Darwin from the current 1,250 by 2020, a goal that was delayed from 2017. |
| Australia and the US signed a “force posture agreement” in 2014 to provide for joint exercises and for US naval and air force deployments. Operational costs until now had been split on an ad hoc basis, with infrastructure spending withheld. | Australia and the US signed a “force posture agreement” in 2014 to provide for joint exercises and for US naval and air force deployments. Operational costs until now had been split on an ad hoc basis, with infrastructure spending withheld. |
| In March, they discussed basing US long-range B-1 bombers in Darwin, bolstering US military presence close to the disputed South China Sea. | In March, they discussed basing US long-range B-1 bombers in Darwin, bolstering US military presence close to the disputed South China Sea. |
| But in charting a course between its most important ally in the region – the US – and its biggest trading partner – China – Australia has drawn rebukes from both superpowers. China has criticised Australian freedom-of-navigation flights in the area and a senior US soldier has called on Australia to do more there. | But in charting a course between its most important ally in the region – the US – and its biggest trading partner – China – Australia has drawn rebukes from both superpowers. China has criticised Australian freedom-of-navigation flights in the area and a senior US soldier has called on Australia to do more there. |
| Payne said in a statement on Thursday that supporting the marines in Darwin was “consistent with Australia’s longstanding strategic interests in supporting US engagement in our region in a manner that promotes regional security and stability”. | Payne said in a statement on Thursday that supporting the marines in Darwin was “consistent with Australia’s longstanding strategic interests in supporting US engagement in our region in a manner that promotes regional security and stability”. |
| The two countries will share more than A$2 billion (US$1.52 billion) in infrastructure investment in northern Australia and other costs linked to the 25-year deployment. There are plans for combined training and exercises, potentially including other partners in the Asia-Pacific region. | The two countries will share more than A$2 billion (US$1.52 billion) in infrastructure investment in northern Australia and other costs linked to the 25-year deployment. There are plans for combined training and exercises, potentially including other partners in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| Payne’s office declined to provide a breakdown of the cost-sharing deal or give further detail on how and when the troop numbers would be increased. | Payne’s office declined to provide a breakdown of the cost-sharing deal or give further detail on how and when the troop numbers would be increased. |
| A spokesman for the US defence department, Commander Gary Ross, said Australia and the US had concluded negotiations “in-principle” on cost sharing, while details of marine deployments after 2017 “remain subject to discussions”. | A spokesman for the US defence department, Commander Gary Ross, said Australia and the US had concluded negotiations “in-principle” on cost sharing, while details of marine deployments after 2017 “remain subject to discussions”. |
| “The two sides will now finalize a cost-sharing implementing arrangement to capture the terms, pursuant to the force posture agreement,” he said. | “The two sides will now finalize a cost-sharing implementing arrangement to capture the terms, pursuant to the force posture agreement,” he said. |
| Ross said they were working to ensure the cost-sharing was “well-considered, equitable and sustainable”. | Ross said they were working to ensure the cost-sharing was “well-considered, equitable and sustainable”. |
| He said infrastructure investments would include upgrades to airfields, aircraft parking areas, living and working accommodation, messes, gyms and training ranges. These investments will benefit Australian and US forces. | He said infrastructure investments would include upgrades to airfields, aircraft parking areas, living and working accommodation, messes, gyms and training ranges. These investments will benefit Australian and US forces. |