The Wire

Plans to allow the Northern Territory to be turned into a US bombing range have been met with outrage by environmentalists and traditional owners. The plans, announced by the Howard Government, will see live bombs dropped around the outback Delamare Air Weapons range near Katherine, in the Territory. Defense Minister Senator Robert Hill said the training would start next year and may involve aircraft flying considerable distances to Australia to use the bombing range, then returning without landing. However, Minister Hill has attempted to reassure the public that no nuclear bombs would not be dropped on the Territory. However, the Greens have reacted with horror to the move, with Senator Bob Brown reminding the Federal government that Australia was not “the 51st state of America.” But the measure does have the support of some Territorians. This report by Sasha Pavey begins with comments from Denise Doherty a spokesperson from the Anti-Bases campaign.