The threat of island-hopping through the archipelago to Australia has not changed since WWII

It sensible to have strong military ties to the closest neighbour when a small boat is capable making the journey, let alone a determined invasion force

There’s a reason (as shitty as it is) why the Australian government allows stupid US marines to have a presence in Darwin. Racists in Australia jumped on it with their hatred of Indonesia, but (because they’re stupid) they never thought further than that