PM backtracks on historic Defence properties sale
The Australian federal government has reversed its decision to sell several historic defence properties, including the Victoria Barracks in Melbourne and Sydney. These sites will remain in public hands and be repurposed for public access and historical interpretation.
Why it matters
The decision reflects the government's response to public and political pressure regarding the preservation of national heritage sites.
— 4:51pm , first published November 8, 2026 — 8:48am
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Share A A A The federal government has backed down on its decision to sell off a number of historic defence properties, including the Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, which together would have raised $3 billion for the Department of Defence.
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