MEDIA RELEASE

MIN 34/97 Thursday February 6, 1997

STAFF INCREASES AT JOINT DEFENCE FACILITY PINE GAP

The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, today announced an increase to the numbers of Australian and United States staff assigned to the Joint Defence Facility at Pine Gap.

Pine Gap is an intelligence collection facility which will remain a central element of joint Australian-US cooperation well into the next century.

At the July 1996 Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), both governments reaffirmed the key role of the Joint Defence Facilities in supporting mutual security interests, and agreed to extend the non-termination period of the treaty covering Pine Gap by a further 10 years (to 2008).

The staff increases, to be phased in over a number of years, involve civilian and military personnel from both Australia and the United States.

The US Government will be seeking to replace some existing staff accommodation in Alice Springs and to acquire additional housing for the new staff.

Accommodation needs will be satisfied in the main by construction of new dwellings over the next few years.

A number of additional houses for newly-posted Australian staff will also be required.

Further information:

Jim Bonner (06) 2777 800 (b/h)