EMBARGOED AGAINST RELEASE: EXPECTED AT ABOUT 5.30 p. m.
FOR PRESS 19 OCTOBER 1977
STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE: JOINT DEFENCE SPACE RESEARCH FACILITY
The House will recall that on 9 December 1966 the Australian and
United States Governments entered into an agreement regarding
the establishment of a Joint Defence Space Research Facility.
This Facility was subsequently set up at Pine Gape, outside
Alice Springs.
The 1966 Agreement was for ten years and has been terminable
at one year's notice by either party since 9 December 1975.
Failing such notice the Agreement continues in force indefinitely.
The present United States administration has recently asked
if the agreement could be extended for a further period of ten
years, with either party being able to give one year's notice
of termination after nine years from the date of extension
or at any time thereafter, failing which the Agreement would
continue indefinitely.
My Government has considered this matter. Having regard to
the importance ( acknowledged by both sides of the House)
of the Joint Defence Space Research Facility to the interests
of Australia and the United States, to the importance of the
cooperation of our two countries under the ANZUS Treaty, and
having regard to the requirements for security of tenure at
Pine Gap to protect substantial investments in buildings,
machinery, skilled manpower and effort, and the requirement
to support long term planning in these respects, we have
decided to accede to the U. S. Government's request.
We believe that this arrangement will be helpful to the
U. S. Government in planning its long term financial commitments
for this facility. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
and His Excellency, the U. S. Ambassador, have today signed notes
extending the 1966 Agreement for a further period of ten years.
I now table these notes for the information of the House. / 2
The House will notice that the opportunity has been taken to
transfer responsibility as cooperating agency for the project
from the specialist area of the Defence Research Projects
Agency to the general administration of the U. S. Department
of Defense.
-I have referred to the importance of the facility; the House
will know that for security reasons I cannot elucidate on this.
I do want to say that a sound and cooperative relationship
with the United States is fundamental to this Government's
foreign and defence policies, and that the Government, and I believe
the great majority of the Australian people, welcome this
opportunity to extend our collaboration with our American
friends and allies.