Rumours that Shoalwater Bay Training Area is to become a United States Military Base

A permanent US Base will not be established at Shoalwater Bay.

The United States is not seeking to base its troops permanently in Australia. Under the Joint Combined Training Capability (JCTC), Australia and the United States are just seeking increased opportunities for cooperation in the joint combined area of training.

A small number of United States personnel may be posted to Australian units to help with the management of the Joint Combined Training Capability and the conduct of training.

If this were to occur, these personnel would be managed in the same way as those United States personnel already posted to Australia in liaison and exchange positions.

When the troops of a training partner are in Australia they are subject to all Australian laws for the duration of their visit. This includes environmental, customs and civil laws.

It is still to be determined whether or not the United States will leave some training equipment in Australia between exercises. Singapore's defence forces already store some training in Australia for when they conduct training here, so a request by United States Forces for storage of their training equipment would be considered.

United States defence forces will not take control or gain sovereignty of any part of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area as part of the Joint Combined Training Capability.