The Gillard Government had inherited the Howard and Rudd Governments ' commitment to the War in Afghanistan which followed the 2001 September 11 attacks in the United States . In November 2011 , the Obama Administration and Gillard Government confirmed a plan to increase the US military presence in northern Australia . Defence Minister Stephen Smith welcomed the first contingent of 200 US Marines to Darwin in April 2012 – with the force projected to grow to 2500
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Gillard Government