Clip description
The clip details the relationship between Australia and the US regarding weapons testing. A 20-year memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Australia in 2005 allows the two countries to carry out exercises in Australia including the use of depleted uranium in bombs. US Secretary of State, Donald Rumsfeld and Australian Minister of Defence, Senator Robert Hill, are seen signing the contract. Over war-games footage, Vice Admiral Archie Clements of the US Navy comments that Australia provides the ideal place to test weapons.
Curator’s notes
The clip effectively summarises the extent of the relationship between the two countries. The filmmaker makes his editorial point by using a Midnight Oil song over the war-games footage.