And now how's this for a kicker - PM Abbott reckons we could soon see the Chinese military exercising in the Top End, perhaps along with the US Marines and Australian Diggers.
And if they all exercise together, maybe they can all go home again, home again when the exercises are over.
And if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

"Australia's levers over the US hopefully keep the US honest and supportive," says Pete naively.

Pete, Australia has no levers over the U.S. None!

The U.S. is the most duplicitous, greedy nation on Earth and is clearly its biggest warmonger.

You continue to back the wrong horse!

Hi LEGO

Sorry mate. I wouldn't presume to equal your racism authoritah :) The plot places the banjo playing action in northern Georgia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliverance#Plot . I've been to Alabama and they were quite nice.

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Hi halduell

Yeah this (on the run?) policy initiative of Chinese forces exercising in NT or northern Qld is quite a surprise. Wonder how realistic it will be - real ammo?
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Hi David

As you can see in this string the centrist line doesn't please the pro-US right or the anti-US left. Raising issues is my main aim.

Cheers

Pete

Regarding Tony Abbott's mention yesterday of possible Australia-US-China exercises.

I did a bit of research and it looks like there's a track record for limited Aus-China "exercises".

Future Aus-US-China "exercises" appear to have been already on the cards - pre-cleared and US hosting around Hawaii:

Last 3 lines of http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/04/12/china-could-train-aussie-troops-pm reads:

"In late 2012, Australia hosted exercise Co-operation Spirit, featuring a small number of Australian, New Zealand and Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel.

This didn't involve troops with weapons against a pretend adversary. Rather, participants practised disaster relief and medical procedures at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane over four days.

For the first time, Chinese forces will participate in [2014's] US-hosted RIMPAC, the world's largest maritime exercise staged on and around Hawaii in June and July. However, PLA involvement will be limited to exercises in disaster relief."

Pete

>> what do you think the ripping of over a billion a year from our defense budget by the very stupid read head, Gillard, might have done to "our efforts to self reliant in our defense">>

Any sign that the current lot are going to restore the cuts?

I'm neither a Gillard nor Rudd fan but neither do I have any illusions about Abbott

Said it before... say it again. US base at Mandorah opposite Darwin Harbour about to be built with tacit approval of NT/Cth govt's. Airfeild all ploughed up (near Cox Peninsula Rd just back from Belyuen community) - all there on Google Earth. Currently a rotation of around 300 US troops from various units primarily Hawaiian regiments goes through Darwin every 3-4 months for 'familiarisation exercises' out at Mt Bundy, Delamere. Anyone can see the new Subic Bay on the horizon, now the focus has shifted from Iraq/Afghanistan.

MH370 farce is just a run up to the new SEATO, to get the Indonesians on side coz just like the old Chiefs & PO's used to say 40 yrs ago..." beware of the Indons..."

The base itself will probably begin being constructed later this year once Herr Abbott gives it the nod. Expect around 35,000 US troops, sailors and airmen to be stationed in the Top End by the end of 2020.

Radioactive "waste dump" proposed for Muckaty Creek Station (110 klms north of Tennant Ck) is a smoke screen for nuke weapons site for the US ramp up at Tindal RAAF Base.