'Oldest wine cellar': shots fired over barracks sale

Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned critics of a plan to sell the historic Victoria Barracks in Sydney, dismissing the site as an "oldest wine cellar" that would not aid in preventing an attack on Australia. The complex, established in 1840, is set to be one of 67 military properties slated for sale by the Labor government to raise funds.

Between 450 and 650 personnel and their families currently based at the barracks will be relocated to other defence sites. The directive for the barracks to vacate by December 19 has caused a political firestorm, with the federal government's NSW counterparts and heritage advocates backing the idea of applying heritage protections to the site.

However, Marles has made it clear that defense should not prioritize heritage. He emphasized that every dollar spent on maintaining the barracks' heritage value competes with defense capability spending. Marles also criticized former military brass for lamenting the decision. The mass sale of defense sites, announced in February, is expected to generate $1.8 billion.

The sale has faced criticism from various political figures, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, independent MP Allegra Spender, Greens MP David Shoebridge, and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott. A petition opposing the sale, started by coalition defense spokesman James Paterson, has garnered about 95,000 signatures.