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The Commonwealth has the exclusive power under the Australian Constitution to make laws for places acquired by the Commonwealth for public purposes such as military bases and quarantine stations.
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The Northern Territory has a proud tradition of being a home to Australia’s defence forces.
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Northern Australia is the only part of mainland Australia to be repeatedly attacked during a time of war.
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Territorians have a unique perspective on the importance of a strong local military presence.
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There is a significant military presence in existing Australian states and there is no reason why the presence of military bases would not continue upon a grant of Statehood for the Northern Territory.
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The 2004 Federal Budget committed approximately $102 million dollars to defence capital projects spending in the Northern Territory.
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A continuing military presence would remain a part of Territory life upon Statehood.
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Our significance as a regional access point for Asia and a training location for exercises will not be reduced by Statehood.
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The Northern Territory has served as an essential staging post for Australian operations in South East Asia in recent times.
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The Bali Bombing in 2002 saw Darwin as a focal point for emergency assistance.
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The independence of East Timor saw Darwin used as a major regional centre for assistance to the world’s newest nation.
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The Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami resulted in troops being deployed out of Darwin to assist with the clean up of Aceh in Indonesia.
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The Northern Territory has shown itself to be an essential part of Australia’s military strategy in the region.
