Thousands Rally Against Sale of Historic Victoria Barracks, Former PM Urges Intervention

Thousands gathered in Sydney's Moore Park on Sunday to protest the planned sale of Victoria Barracks, a historic military precinct, with former prime minister John Howard urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and halt the disposal.

The rally, organized by NSW Labor MP Marjorie O'Neill and Liberal senator for NSW Jess Collins, brought together figures from across the political spectrum who oppose the Albanese government's plan to sell the landmark as part of a wider Defence asset disposal program. Among those present were federal independent MP Allegra Spender, NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich, Australian Greens leader David Shoebridge, federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane, and former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott.

"Let me say that if the Prime Minister were to intervene and cancel any of this madness, then I will be the first to go on 2GB in the afternoon and congratulate Anthony Albanese," Howard stated during his address. He emphasized that Victoria Barracks is more than just valuable real estate, describing it as a "precious, irreplaceable, not-for-sale national asset" integral to Australia's history.

Howard recounted historical events tied to the barracks, including the departure of the first independent Australian military contingent to the Sudan War, and subsequent troop departures for the Boer War and World War I. He argued that while development is important, it should not come at the expense of national heritage. "You don't give that up for a few bob," he said, referencing the financial motivations behind the sale.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor accused the Albanese government of prioritizing budget pressures over national security and heritage. He cited Defence Minister Richard Marles' own statements about the dangerous geopolitical climate since World War II. "We know the reason they say they're going to do this is because they've run out of money. A trillion dollars of debt," Taylor stated, downplaying the potential revenue from the sale as "chump change" compared to government spending.

Defence Minister Marles has defended the sale, arguing that the military should focus on combat readiness rather than managing heritage assets. He stated in September that "every dollar that Defence spends on the heritage of Victoria Barracks Sydney is in competition with a dollar that we would spend on defence capability, on making sure that we are giving our diggers the best protection possible."

The rally, originally planned for the Oxford Street gates at Paddington, was moved to Kippax Lake in Moore Park to accommodate the large turnout. The diverse attendance underscored a broad-based opposition to the government's proposal.