Anthony Albanese has taken aim at ‘eastern suburbs’ journalists who have never visited Victoria Barracks while denying his government’s decision to keep the historic site in public hands was a backflip.
The Prime Minister confirmed on Sunday that the historic Sydney landmark and three other Defence properties would be spared from a planned private sell-off following fierce cross-party opposition.
Victoria Barracks had been among 67 Defence properties targeted under the proposal, which aimed to cut maintenance costs and redirect resources to the ADF.
Asked whether the decision would reduce the government’s expected revenue and if other Defence sites could now be saved, Albanese rejected suggestions of a retreat and instead highlighted plans to improve public access.
‘You live in Sydney, and you had never been to this site in Paddington,’ he told one reporter.
‘Most journalists, all of whom seemed to live in the eastern suburbs or the inner areas of Sydney, had never had access to this site.’
‘What we want is for people to actually have access to this site, to learn about the history of the Australian Defence Force presence here and give appropriate tribute to it.’
Under the revised plan, the historically significant parts of the four sites will remain in public ownership, with the Australian War Memorial helping to interpret and tell their military history.
Albanese (pictured) rejected the government had ‘walked back’ the decision to sell the site
However, the government has left the door open for future ‘opportunities for commercial use’.
The government said it remained committed to ‘maximising community, heritage and appropriate commercial opportunities’ at Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne.
Asked whether the announcement amounted to a ‘walk-back’ following broad opposition from veterans, politicians and the public, Albanese replied: ‘No, this is a good outcome and the timeline is the same.’
He then took aim at critics and media reports that had warned the heritage-listed military site could be compromised.
‘One of the things that was said was that somehow heritage could be interfered with on this site,’ Albanese said.
‘I know at one stage there was a front page about heritage listing. It’s listed, it’s protected under Australian law.’
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles also defended the government’s handling of the issue, dismissing claims Victoria Barracks remained strategically important to national security.
‘I don’t think there is anyone actually who is really seriously suggesting that Victoria Barracks Sydney is central to the defence of Australia,’ Marles said.
Marles (pictured) maintained that Victoria Barracks was not central to Australia’s defence
He argued Defence could no longer justify maintaining underused facilities while facing an increasingly challenging strategic environment.
‘It is utterly untenable to be spending hundreds of millions of dollars maintaining defence sites as defence sites when we don’t use them, and when they are not central to the defence of Australia,’ he said.
The government’s announcement comes after months of criticism from veterans, former military commanders and politicians from across the political spectrum.
A rally held in October saw former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard speak out against the sale.
Other speakers included NSW Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill, Greens leader David Shoebridge and independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, who also spoke at the rally, welcomed the backdown.
However, he also warned the fight was not over, saying questions remained about whether the sites would continue operating as Defence facilities.
‘The Liberals and Nationals will continue the fight to keep these sites in Defence’s hands, and to save other sites including HMAS Penguin, Lancer Barracks, Irwin Barracks and more,’ he said.
A rally in October saw hundreds of protestors call on the government to not sell the Barracks
Taylor claimed: ‘This was never about modernising the Defence estate. It was just another smash and grab for revenue by a Prime Minister who can’t manage money and can’t control his spending.’
Despite abandoning plans for outright sale of the four heritage sites, Defence will still vacate the properties as planned, with personnel relocating elsewhere.
The sites will ultimately be managed through a divestment process designed to retain public ownership while exploring future community and commercial uses.
The government has already transferred 11 Defence sites to the Department of Finance and says the broader estate reform program will continue.
