Sydney's Victoria Barracks Saved From Sale and to Stay in Public Hands, Albanese Confirms

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the federal government will abandon the sale of the historic Victoria Barracks in Paddington, Sydney, and keep it in public hands. "Victoria Barracks Sydney has a special place in our nation's history — and we will be keeping it in public hands," Albanese said.

Four sites retained together and to be opened to the public

Along with the Sydney barracks, three other sites — Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Fort Queenscliff and RAAF Point Cook — will also be retained in public ownership. The four sites will transfer from Defence to Finance and, once military personnel move out, will be opened to the public and redeveloped in partnership with the Australian War Memorial as public spaces telling Australia's military history.

Independent audit proposed sales to raise $1.8 billion; veterans objected

The sale plan stemmed from an independent Defence estate audit, which found 67 Defence properties underused and proposed selling them to raise about A$1.8 billion, with the Sydney and Melbourne barracks expected to fetch about A$1.3 billion. The plan drew opposition from veterans, heritage groups and cross-party politicians, including former prime ministers John Howard and Paul Keating; more than 2,000 people rallied against it, and the New South Wales Labor government also urged the Commonwealth to abandon the sale.

Announcement comes ahead of cabinet budget review

The announcement came on the eve of a cabinet budget expenditure review on Monday. This site reported on October 31 that barracks staff were already packing up to move out before Christmas, when the sale was still proceeding; the announcement is a formal reversal of the plan.

(Sources: ABC; 7NEWS; Australian Government.)