The Australian government has committed to joining the US in its "Son of Star Wars" missile defence program in Washington next month despite strengthening political opposition to the project.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Australia-US ministerial consultations in the US early in July would formalise Australia's long-term commitment to participating in the program.
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But the controversial move is facing the resistance of combined opposition parties with Labor sceptical of any benefits and the minor Democrats arguing no agreement should be signed ahead of the upcoming election in which the government could lose office.
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http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/21/2003175937