Australia’s Strategic Military Alliances and Benefits

The Australia Letter

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to receive it directly in your inbox. This week’s issue is authored by Julia Bergin, a reporter who extensively explores the diverse landscapes and stories of Australia.

In the heart of Australia, the United States has made significant expansions to the Pine Gap spy base, a facility that plays a critical role in global intelligence. Joint military exercises near Darwin, involving both American and Australian forces, are evolving in complexity, signaling a deeper integration of military capabilities. Concurrently, the AUKUS agreement, which prominently features the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, is steadily progressing.

What does this all signify for Australia? As noted by historian James Curran from the University of Sydney, the ramifications are substantial. He remarked last year, as these strategic plans unfolded, that “the permanent American military presence on Australian soil is now at a scale unprecedented since the Second World War.”

However, an increasing number of critics are raising concerns about whether Australia is receiving a fair return on its commitments within this alliance. Proponents, including influential figures from the major political parties in both nations, argue that the U.S. is making considerable investments in Australian infrastructure, military assets, and training resources.

Moreover, the alliance has fostered some unexpected benefits for Australia. In 2005, as a gesture of gratitude for Australia’s military support, the administration of President George W. Bush introduced the E-3 visa. This visa, which is renewable every two years, is specifically designed for Australians who have secured a job offer in the U.S. and possess a university degree.

For Australian military personnel, additional perks exist that are perhaps lesser-known to the general public. Some of these benefits include complimentary access to attractions like SeaWorld San Diego, exclusively available to Australian officers deployed in the United States. Others extend to all reserve, retired, and dependent Australian military personnel residing back home.

For those with a passion for skiing, there’s exciting news. In 2018, Vail Resorts, which operates 42 ski areas across the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Europe, established a unique offer for U.S., Australian, and Canadian defense force members. This initiative was presented as a tribute to “those who serve others.” The $177 “Epic Military Pass” provides a substantial discount on the Epic season pass, which typically retails for $662 in Australia or $1,004 in the U.S. (All figures are expressed in U.S. dollars.)