Pressure builds over barracks sale plan
Former prime ministers joined the protest as campaigners said the historic site should remain a defence base and stay in public hands.
- On Sunday, more than 2,000 protesters gathered at Sydney's Kippax Lake to oppose the federal government's planned sale of the 178-year-old Victoria Barracks military facility.
- The federal government identified the site as one of 67 Australian Defence Force properties slated for disposal, generating up to $3 billion in revenue amid budget pressures.
- Former prime minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor joined cross-party speakers arguing the base is a 'precious, irreplaceable, not-for-sale national asset' that should be protected.
- Defence Minister Richard Marles defended the proposal, arguing the military should prioritize combat readiness over heritage assets, while protesters urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene.
- Veteran Affairs Minister David Harris said the government is weighing options to address mounting pressure, with the Commonwealth facing constitutional constraints on blocking the transaction.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Defence personnel begin packing as Sydney's Victoria Barracks sale looms
Defence personnel based at Victoria Barracks in Sydney have begun "packing boxes" for a Christmas eviction, despite the NSW premier calling on the federal government to reverse its move to sell the historic site.
Australian defense land selloff runs into multiparty opposition
SYDNEY — Former Prime Minister John Howard urged the Australian government to reverse its plans to sell defense land in prime locations at a rally Sunday characterized by multipartisan bonhomie on-stage — and angry calls for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to resign off stage.Howard told a crowd of a few thousand gathered in Sydney near the site of its Victoria Barracks that he would be the first to congratulate Albanese if he changed course on …
Sydney Morning Herald
‘Precious, irreplaceable’: Howard headlines eclectic rally against Victoria Barracks sale
Protesters from all sides, including Greens and One Nation, gathered to oppose the sale of the historic Paddington defence facility.
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