Defence’s Darwin snub leaves Northern Territory exposed

A critic of the Army’s latest restructure said Northern Australia has been abandoned. Find out why.

Long-time Territorians are seething at the Department of Defence’s second ‘abandonment’ of Northern Australia in the past 100 years.

The plan to relocate tanks and armoured carriers and full-time infantry out of Adelaide to Townsville and Darwin has been positively received, but the decision to base long-range missiles in South Australia has infuriated senior Territory Defence observers.

Defence’s so-called ‘order of battle’ was released on Thursday.

“Once again Canberra has shown it’s prepared to sacrifice the million residents who live in Northern Australia for the 24 million that live in the south,” a former businessman with close ties to Defence told this masthead.

Australian and US personnel during Exercise Crocodile Response at Robertson Barracks on May 14, 2023. Picture: Scott Smolinski

“The Defence Strategic Review identified Northern Australia as the frontline but the heavy artillery required to defend that front line is located in southern Australia. The Commonwealth is saying Northern Australia’s open slather so long as southern Australia’s safe.”

He likened the policy to the World War Two-era Brisbane Line, where half the continent above an imaginary line between Brisbane and Perth was sacrificed to the Japanese in defence of southern Australia.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The top brass of the Australian Defence Force obviously prefer to sip the lattes they can buy down south,” he said.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s border security program director Dr John Coyne disputed the Brisbane Line assertion, but agreed missiles should be based in Darwin.

“I don’t think the Brisbane Line exists in the sense the south would be sacrificed for the north but I do think Defence thinks with a peace mindset,” Dr Coyne said.

“I’m not suggesting we’re going to war now or anytime soon but what Australia does face is strategic uncertainty for the first time in decades.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Dr John Coyne.

“Defence Strategic Review makes the case for a long range northern posture and the decision to place long range weapons in southern Australia doesn't make sense.”

He said arguments from Defence that the HIMARS rocket launch systems can be transported by road, rail or air ignore reality.

“The northern route by both road and rail are susceptible to weather events,” he said.

“With climate change more frequent and with intense weather events, road and rail are more vulnerable.

“Fine to put missiles south but there has to be significant strengthening of road and rail so it’s all-seasons and that isn’t happening and there are no plans to make it happen. It can be transported by air but in a period of heightened security air routes and there’s no guarantee they’re going to be able to airlift.”

Originally published as Defence’s Darwin snub leaves Northern Territory exposed