By Melanie Sjoberg
ADELAIDE — The large radomes looming out of the desert in the far north of South Australia identify Nurrungar from a distance. They also symbolise the ongoing struggle against US bases and nuclear weapons. Over April 8-12, more than 1000 activists are expected to converge on the site to protest against the bases, militarisation and the effects on indigenous people and the environment.
Nurrungar was established in 1971 as a US military communications base, its main role being to monitor nuclear explosions and missile launch activity via satellite and convey the information to the US. It was the main overseas station for the US Defence Support Program. Combined with Pine Gap and North-West Cape, these sites make up the "joint US-Australia" facilities.
Despite the label "joint facilities", Nurrungar is controlled by US personnel. The issue of control has never been open to public debate in Australia. In fact, in 1988 a new 10-
year lease was signed without parliamentary, caucus or cabinet discussion, let alone consideration by the Australian people.
The main role the Australian government seems to play is financial support. In 1986-87 it spent $23 million on maintenance and staffing. The ongoing costs of establishing and servicing Woomera are not readily available.
It is possible for the Australian government to give notice in 1995 to close both Nurrungar and Pine Gap in 1998, so the Easter protest is essential for maintaining the issue in the public arena.
Focus on Nurrungar began in 1985 with a series of state-based and coordinated protests. This built on community opposition to nuclear weapons and concerns about the safety of the nuclear industry.
The 1989 national protest at Nurrungar drew media and significant police action when some protesters succeeded in breaking into the compound. This forced the closure of the base for some time. The extent to which the government is prepared to go to curb demonstrations was evident when several helicopter loads of troops were flown in from NSW.
Peace movement activities then shifted to the arms industry, with national demonstrations in Canberra around Aidex and Melbourne-
based actions at Avalon air base.
"This is a return to the anti-bases issue for the active peace movement", Ian Wilson, spokesperson for the Nurrungar campaign and Peace Action Committee in Adelaide, told Green Left Weekly. He said that the key demands for this year's protest are "close the bases, land rights for the Kokotha and hand back Woomera to the Kokotha".
The Kokotha people have traditionally lived in the eastern section of the Western Desert. They first experienced restrictions in access to their land with the development of the railway. The establishment of Woomera as a rocket range and Maralinga, which was used for British atomic bomb tests between October 1952 and 1957, further restricted access to traditional lands.
The subsequent royal commission into Maralinga detailed stories of incompetence and evidence that contamination still permeated 95 square kilometres. The commission charged the British government with the responsibility for cleaning up the site at a cost of around $600 million, a claim which has still not been met.
In 1965 the South Australian government passed the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act, which permitted the purchase or transfer of traditional lands to a trust run by Aboriginal people. The Pitjantjatjara won a claim in 1981 and now have full title over their lands, including control over when and where mining companies can explore. The Tjantjar won a similar claim for the Maralinga region in 1984.
These areas were deemed to be unsuitable for pastoral or reoccupation purposes, which appears to be the difference with the land that the Kokotha are claiming.
In the Year of Indigenous People, the focus of the Nurrungar protest on the land rights claim of the Kokotha draws attention to the widespread impact the bases have on all environmental and social justice issues. In 1989-90 the Australian government spent 2.4% of GDP on defence — more than $20 million per day — yet it is the only item in the budget not debated in detail.
Wilson said that there will be a nationally coordinated protest launch on Monday, April 5, which will include a kit providing details of the history of the bases and militarisation.
"The protest and desert festival at Nurrungar will focus on mass actions, both arrestable and non-arrestable", he said. Each day will have a series of workshops around the themes of the protest, along with street theatre and music. Friday will highlight land rights for the Kokotha, Saturday will take up militarism and the environment, Sunday, peace, disarmament and
solidarity, and Monday, Australian independence.
Wilson said that decision-making at Nurrungar will be based on a strong affinity group structure. "This has been helped by the need for pre-planning to get to the location with most people already organised into groups", he said. They are planning both coordinated and autonomous actions, but most of the decisions will be made at the site.
"The desert festival will highlight the peace movement's critique of militaristic culture and show alternative ways of living and acting", Wilson said.
The protest has received wide support from trade unions, with a bus load being organised by the CFMEU and a statement of unity from the Victorian THC. Christian groups, student clubs and FoE are supporting the action.