Andrew Hastie calls for ‘transparency’ about US military’s growing presence in Australia

Coalition frontbencher Andrew Hastie has called for “greater transparency” about the US military’s growing presence in Australia, saying the government needs to explain how it’s protecting national sovereignty while deepening defence ties with Washington. The former soldier has also called for the government to explain what role Australia might play backing US combat operations launched from this country, saying it is critical to build public understanding and support for the alliance. The government has consistently brushed off questions over whether the highly sensitive military facilities at Pine Gap or North West Cape provided intelligence to the US for its bombing…