Rudd unveils vision for futureWednesday, 14 November, 2007 Mr...

Rudd unveils vision for future
Wednesday, 14 November, 2007

Mr Rudd said he wanted Australia once again to have its own voice in the affairs of the world.

Iraq exit strategy

Australia should lead not just follow in dealing with future international challenges such as the global fight against poverty, disease and under-development.

Mr Rudd said he wanted Australia to be a leader in global negotiations on climate change.

"And on Iraq, the time has come to implement an exit strategy for our combat forces," he said.

"It is time for those combat forces to come home and they are needed much closer to home."

http://naca.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/rudd_unveils_vision_for_future_135092

"And just how will we find our own voice once again?"

US gets military base in Western Australia
February 15, 2007

AUSTRALIA'S close defence alliance with the United States is to be further entrenched with the building of a new US military communications base at Geraldton in Western Australia.

The Age has learned that the US is to build the base, which follows three years of secret negotiations with Canberra.

The base will provide a crucial link for a new network of military satellites that will help America's ability to fight wars in the Middle East and Asia

Visiting fellow at the Australian Defence Force Academy Philip Dorling said that once the base was operating, it would be almost impossible for Australia to be fully neutral or stand back from any war in which the US was involved

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/us-gets-military-base-in-australia/2007/02/14/1171405295243.html