ADF veterans are raising concerns about the government's plan to sell off over 60 historic defense properties, a move they warn could take a decade and cost billions. The sell-off, aimed at freeing up space for new homes, has sparked debate among veterans, the opposition, and local MPs. The properties, including training sites, bases, warehouses, and disused land, are deemed to offer no strategic value. Among the sites set to be sold are the historic Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as prime sites on Sydney Harbour and a major munitions site in Melbourne's west. The multi-year review recommended 68 sites be sold, including HMAS Penguin in Sydney's Mosman, Spectacle Island on Sydney Harbour, and RAAF Williams at Melbourne's Point Cook. The defense minister, Richard Marles, insists all funds from the sale will be returned to defense, emphasizing a 'laser focus' on value for money. However, the RSL national president, Peter Tinley, expresses caution, pointing to previous asset sales as failed processes. He warns that some sales will take a decade and cost a fortune in remediation, and the headline figures may look very different when the final accounting is done. The shadow defense minister, Angus Taylor, accuses the government of a 'fire sale' and calls for careful scrutiny of each location. He emphasizes the strategic importance of these assets, urging the government not to sell them off to cover up housing failures. The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, advocates for heritage protection at Sydney's Victoria Barracks, established in 1840 and originally occupied by the British army. Meanwhile, the Greens' defense spokesperson, David Shoebridge, argues that the 13-hectare site should be used for social and affordable housing, emphasizing the potential to deliver thousands of homes while protecting heritage and providing public parklands. Sydney councillor Zann Maxwell calls for imagination, care, and a clear public vision for the site, highlighting the potential for former military sites to be transformed into great civic places. The controversy surrounding the sell-off invites discussion on the balance between strategic needs, heritage preservation, and housing priorities.
