NT:NT is strong chance of being venue for training facility,Hill

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2004
NT:NT is strong chance of being venue for training facility,Hill

DARWIN, Feb 19 AAP - The Northern Territory had a strong chance to host a possible
future joint training facility with the United States, the Defence Minister said today.

Senator Robert Hill said the government was considering whether it could jointly enhance
training facilities in Australia with the US for the benefit of both forces.

However he said there was no plan to establish a US training base anywhere.

"I think there's a real window of opportunity there because the US has very sophisticated
training bases," he said.

"If, out of our collaboration, we can end up with an upgrading of some of our training
facilities for our mutual benefit, that would be a great asset for Australia."

Senator Hill said he would speak with Chief Minister Clare Martin today on the issue.

However he had also had representations from the Queensland and Western Australian
governments keen for the enhanced bases.

"All decisions are made on merit but this (Darwin) is very strategically important,"

Senator Hill.

"We have a significant part of our armed forces based here already, we have significant
training bases ... you should be in a good position to put (forward) a competitive case."

AAP km/cc/tma/de

KEYWORD: BASES

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