Australia news live: US marines plan permanent weapons stockpile in Victoria; Pauline Hanson to address National Press Club
Summary
The US military plans to build a permanent weapons storage site for its Marine Corps in Victoria, Australia, to support operations in the Indo-Pacific region. This stockpile will be ready for use and is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028. Separately, Australian politician Pauline Hanson is set to address the National Press Club, highlighting her party's current political position.Key Facts
- The US Marine Corps will establish a permanent weapons stockpile in Victoria, Australia, aiming for full capacity by 2028.
- The stockpile will first be stored in Melbourne and then moved to newly built warehouses at the Bandiana military base in rural Victoria.
- This site is intended to keep equipment ready for operations and exercises across the Indo-Pacific region.
- The project is separate from other US Army equipment stationed at Bandiana after recent joint exercises.
- The move is part of a wider US strategy to strengthen military presence and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, especially in response to China's military growth.
- The US Marine Corps has historically used prepositioned stockpiles globally but this will be its first permanent land stockpile in Australia.
- A similar US stockpile is expected to open soon in the Philippines, close to the South China Sea.
- Pauline Hanson will give her first National Press Club speech, which is seen as important for her party’s future political direction in Australia.
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