The Tale of Jim Bullen
Jim Bullen was a farmer. He owned the land where Pine Gap now stands. The Australian government seized 900 acres of his land in order to build Pine Gap.
He was told he would be compensated for the loss of his
land.
He was offered 52 cents an acre. He had originally purchased the land to turn
a profit. Instead he lost. He received $468.00.
On December 22 1966, Mr Bullen said “How can they compensate me for five hard
years of my life. I am an old man and couldn't start this all over again. I
have accomplished something, completely without government help on land that
the government considered useless. Now it is all going for nothing."
He was given a choice.
Accept the money or receive nothing.
In 2009, the Federal Government quietly beefed up laws
protecting the US spy station Pine Gap, ensuring protesters face seven years'
jail if they go near or photograph the intelligence-gathering facility.
