More than 3,000 people gathered at Kippax Lake in Sydney on Sunday to protest the federal government’s plan to sell Victoria Barracks, a historic military site. The demonstration, which drew significant public and political figures, aimed to pressure Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to halt the proposed divestment of the site.
Victoria Barracks, located in the Paddington area near Sydney’s central business district, has been in continuous use by the Australian Defence Force since 1848. Critics of the sale argue that the barracks hold not only historical significance but also strategic value for national security and emergency response operations. The federal government’s plan is part of a broader divestment strategy targeting defense assets worth approximately $1.8 billion.
Former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott were among those attending the rally. Howard described the barracks as a “precious, irreplaceable, not-for-sale national asset” that should not be sold “for a few bob.” He called on Albanese to intervene, adding that if the Prime Minister stopped the sale, he would publicly acknowledge the decision as a common-sense victory. Abbott, meanwhile, praised the event’s emphasis on Australian flags and criticised the federal government’s approach, labelling it “regress” and accusing the administration of cultural mismanagement.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also spoke at the rally, framing the issue as encompassing both heritage preservation and national security. He criticised the government’s defence ministers for underestimating the significance of the site’s retention. Similarly, New South Wales Veterans Minister David Harris affirmed that the state government was united in opposition to the sale and was exploring regulatory and heritage protections to impede the Commonwealth’s plans. He referenced possible state heritage listing and legislative inquiries aimed at slowing the process without triggering constitutional challenges.
Comments from Coogee MP Marjorie O’Neill, who broke ranks with the federal Labor government by opposing the sale, highlighted concerns that the government was suppressing dissent within the defence community. She described the barracks as an active military base with deep historical importance and emphasised the need for public advocacy on behalf of defence personnel.
On the political front, NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane announced a proposal for landmark legislation designed to safeguard defence sites from future sales, regardless of which party forms government.
Supporters of the barracks’ retention argue the site is an essential part of Australia’s military history and ongoing defence operations, with advocates calling for it to remain in public hands. The federal government has yet to release a detailed response to the growing public and political resistance ahead of the potential sale.
The campaign to preserve Victoria Barracks remains a focal point in broader discussions about urban development, heritage conservation, and national security in Sydney. An upcoming event, the 2026 Future Sydney Bradfield Oration, will further explore these themes later in November.