Hundreds of activists and academics have gathered in Central Australia, near Alice Springs, to join Arrernte traditional owners in a protest against Pine Gap, the joint Australian-US military and intelligence base. Established nearly 60 years ago, Pine Gap was initially presented as a space monitoring facility but has since evolved into a major intelligence and surveillance center with expanded capabilities.

The protest, known as the "Close Pine Gap" convergence, brought together over 500 people at a desert research institute surrounded by native trees and shrubs. This event contrasts with a major women's protest at Pine Gap in 1983, during which about 100 women were arrested. Two longtime activists, Els and Lies Paijmans, who have been protesting the facility for more than 30 years, cited concerns about the ongoing American involvement at Pine Gap and its implications for global military operations.

Els Paijmans expressed that the surveillance conducted at Pine Gap is used for negative purposes beyond any positive intentions described by governments or politicians. The activists have a long history with the outback town, having visited for decades and participated in earlier protests.

In response, a spokesperson from the Australian Defence Department stated that, consistent with longstanding government practice, the Australian government does not comment on intelligence matters or the operations of joint or collaborative facilities, including Pine Gap.

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