The Labor government has pledged $3.8 billion (US$2.5 billion) for upgrades to military bases across Australia’s north as part of a steady build-up to deal with potential conflict in the region.
The announcement follows an earlier pledge in 2021 to upgrade four military training facilities in the Northern Territory.
According to Defence Minister Richard Marles, the new funding push will include $2 billion towards upgrading runways, fuel storage, accommodation, and security at air bases at RAAF Base Learmonth in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, as well as in the Northern Territory and northern Queensland.
Another $1 billion to upgrade major training areas at the Robertson Barracks in Darwin and the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville in northern Queensland….