the CAAT appeal was stunning.
Alhough admitting that Pine Gap was used to target strikes on Iraq, defence insisited that it is not a war base - which made the facility ineligible for the protections from judicial scrutiny afforded under "special undertakings".
Rather than admit that a foreign war base operates from the heart of our country, and unwilling (unable!) to answer the defendants' full range of examination, the prior conviction was nullified and the christians against all terrorism walked free.
but now the usa is opening more bases around the country, including marines in Darwin and US warships off WA.
Sugar Grove [1] as well as Yakima [2] have been completely closed. From what I hear Menwith Hill and Misawa have been de-staffed and repurposed. I suspect Pine Gap is still maintained for short term operational projects, but the ECHELON SIGINT program has been effectively shut down. (Rightfully so as its purpose was Satellite intercepts, which have largely given way to fiber optic routes)
Interesting. I remember once upon a time the Australian govt wanted to shut it down (under Whitlam). But it still goes strong, probably the reason why the ANZUS agreement exists.
