US Weapons Testing in Australia
Last Friday, an American fighter plane mistakenly fired 25 rounds of ammunition into a school in New Jersey. On that same day news emerged that negotiations are underway between Canberra and Washington, to let the USA test more bombs on Australian soil, and a joint training centre would also be built to link Australian and US forces. The testing would be carried out in three places in Northern Australia, and while security analysts insist the deal would be of great benefit to Australia, residents in Queensland and other parts of the country are worried. The Defence Department says nothing has been finalised as yet, but discussions will continue over possible testing by the US of new-generation weapons, including smart bombs on Australian territory. Michael Katerla spoke to Kerry Nettle, Greens Senator for New South Wales.