Arrernte traditional owners in Central Australia have delivered a formal letter to the gates of Pine Gap, demanding the return of their land during what observers say is the largest protest outside the secretive defence facility in decades. The joint Australian‑US base near Alice Springs is one of the most significant intelligence sites in the world, gathering data from a global network of surveillance satellites and long attracting controversy over how that intelligence is used.
Among the protesters was NSW Greens senator David Shoebridge, who voiced concern that Pine Gap operates as a “foreign military base set up for the interests of a foreign military”, arguing it is “lurching towards right‑wing politics, not respecting international law.” He said Australia was allowing its land to be used to “commit some of the worst atrocities we’ve seen.”
NT Police established multiple checkpoints, including a traffic stop several kilometres from the facility to check IDs, and a second blockade roughly 200 metres from the high‑security entrance to prevent protesters from approaching on foot. As the crowd advanced toward the barricade, holding signs and flags, they chanted: “shut it down,” “close Pine Gap,” and “always was, always will be Aboriginal land.”
The demonstration marks a significant moment in long‑running debates over sovereignty, defence cooperation and the future of the Pine Gap facility and highlights growing calls from First Nations communities for land justice and transparency around Australia’s military partnerships.
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