Labor backflips on sale of historic defence sites including Sydney’s Victoria Barracks

Four heritage-listed defence properties in Sydney and Melbourne will retain public ownership, according to a recent decision by the Albanese government. The sites, which include Sydney's Victoria Barracks, Melbourne's Fort Queenscliff, and RAAF Base Point Cook, were previously earmarked for sale to the government to recover $3 billion in budget costs.

However, the plan faced significant opposition from veterans, former prime ministers, and public campaign groups. The government's reversal of its stance on the sale drew praise from veterans and politicians alike, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, stating that Victoria Barracks holds a "special place in our nation's history."

The defence minister, Richard Marles, added that the military needed to reallocate funds to focus on safety and security. The government will work with the Australian War Memorial to transform the vacated sites into public spaces that showcase Australia's military history. While the decision represents a win for Australia's defence heritage, questions remain about the military's continued presence in Sydney and Melbourne.

The opposition party has vowed to continue fighting for the preservation of other critical defence sites. The multi-year audit, completed in 2023, identified underutilised defence sites as a drain on resources, urging urgent actions to rectify the situation. The government aims to free up land for new housing developments, with a long-term goal of creating 6,000 new dwellings.