Veterans urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and save Victoria Barracks

Deputy PM Must Be Pulled Into Line

Veterans were particularly concerned by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles’ dismissal of criticism from senior former military leaders, after he recently said there were ‘a few former generals who liked hanging out there who were lamenting this.'

Those comments were unnecessary and dismissive of people who have given decades of their lives to the defence of this country and who bring enormous military experience to this debate.

These aren’t a few old generals reminiscing about where they once worked. Serious Defence figures are raising significant questions about whether surrendering strategically located Defence land is in Australia’s long-term national interest.

The Prime Minister should be listening carefully to that experience and expertise; not allowing it to be waved away because it challenges the Government’s plans. Prime Minister, veterans in your home state are asking you to step in and pull your Deputy into line before it is too late.

RSL NSW Concerned About Decisions Made Through Financial Lens

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Victoria Barracks has stood on the doorstep of Australia’s largest city for almost two centuries. It remains an operational Defence base and an important connection between the Australian Army and the community it serves.

Our position has been consistent: Victoria Barracks must remain in the hands of the Australian people and, preferably, continue as an operational Defence base.

The Government should heed the advice of Defence and security experts who understand the strategic value of retaining these sites, rather than allowing the budget bottom line to dictate decisions that will affect Australia for generations.

National security decisions must be based on what Australia may need in 20, 30 or 50 years – not simply what saves money today.

Once Victoria Barracks is sold, it is gone for good. We cannot buy back 13 hectares of strategically located Defence land on the doorstep of Australia’s largest city when the security environment changes and the government suddenly discovers we need it again.

A decision to sell might make dollars, but it doesn’t make sense.

Prime Minister Has Opportunity To Change Course

Anthony Albanese is the Prime Minister. Ultimately, his Government owns this decision.

We are asking him to look beyond the balance sheet, listen respectfully to the military and security expertise warning against these sales, and reconsider whether disposing of these irreplaceable assets is genuinely in Australia’s long-term national interest.

There is still time to stop this. But that window is closing – and once Victoria Barracks is sold, there will be no going back.

RSL NSW Opposes Proposed Divestment of Other Sites

(Lancer Barracks at Parramatta and HMAS Penguin at Middle Head) these sites carry enormous military, strategic, cultural and community significance. Their future cannot be determined simply by the value of the land beneath them.

Serving and ex-serving ADF members are rightly asking: where does this end?

Final Thoughts

If you believe Victoria Barracks is worth protecting, now is the time to stand up and be counted.

We want veterans, Defence families, RSL members and the wider community to turn out on Sunday (at the Save Victoria Barracks Rally, 12.45pm, Sundey October 25, Moore Park) and send an unmistakable message to Canberra: Victoria Barracks is not for sale.

Bring your family. Bring your mates. Bring anyone who believes Australia should think beyond the next Budget when making decisions about assets of national significance.

And if you cannot be there on Sunday, write to your local Federal MP and write directly to the Prime Minister. Tell them to stop the sale.

The Prime Minister can still intervene. We are asking him to listen to veterans, listen to Defence and security experts, and act before this irreplaceable site is lost forever.

***Brigadier Vince Williams, CSC (Retd) is the president of RSL NSW.***