‘Faux outrage’ and ‘bullies’: MPs clash over Defence fire sale
A Labor minister accused the Coalition of being “tyrants” as MPs clashed over the future of Sydney’s Victoria Barracks amid a nationwide sell-off.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles announced plans earlier this year to disinvest in 67 military installations, primarily in the south-east of the country, to reprioritise defense infrastructure in northern Australia and AUKUS.
The program, which follows an independent review of defense assets, is expected to raise about $1.8 billion.
Appearing before the budget estimates hearing on Wednesday, NSW Veterans Affairs Minister David Harris clashed with Liberal MLC Scott Farlow and National MLC Wes Fang over the sale, telling the committee the state government had not been notified in advance.
Mr Harris said he had requested a briefing from the state and that federal authorities were investigating the views of veterans and community members on the sale, particularly the sale of Victoria Barracks in Sydney’s east.
Asked whether he would directly condemn the sale, Mr. Harris clashed with Mr. Fang, who was shouting across the committee room.
“Making an explanation is not good enough,” Mr. Fang said.
“People outside this building are happy to take on this challenge.”
Mr Harris fired back: “I enjoy your fake anger about this.
“I’m not very nice to bullies who yell at me.
“Well, that’s not how you do business. That’s not how I do business.”
Committee chairman and Cannabis Legalization Party MLC Jeremy Buckingham, who had to shout at Mr Fang at times, urged him to “please desist”.
“It’s very early in the morning. It’s a bad way to start the day,” Mr Buckingham said.
“Let’s ask good questions and hear the answers without interrupting or pressuring each other.”
A petition opposes the sale of Victoria Barracks, with opponents voicing concerns about heritage preservation of the land.
“There’s a very strong argument from the military, including the NSW RSL, that some of these sites are significant urban military command areas and could have detrimental effects on recruitment and other things like that,” Mr Harris said.
“I think all of those views are absolutely valid and should be included in the federal government process.”
During questioning, Mr Harris urged that any position on the sale of Victoria Barracks or other sites should not come ahead of the state consultation programme.
“So you want us to anticipate what the final decision will look like before the consultation process begins?” asked Mr. Farlow.
Asked by Mr Farlow whether he would oppose the sale, Mr Harris said: “We haven’t seen what the offers are other than they are being considered.”
Mr Harris acknowledged Prime Minister Chris Minns’ suggestion that the sale was akin to “the neighbour’s selling a boat” was “not the best word”.
“But what he was trying to say was that although we had a role in a consultation process, ultimately this was Commonwealth territory.
“They will decide whether to keep the land, whether to sell it, whether to transfer some or all of the land.”
A senate estimates hearing earlier this month was told the sales included assets such as Victoria Barracks in Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as Spectacle Island and HMAS Penguin in NSW. Three properties had already been sold and activity was ongoing at six other properties.
Department officials acknowledged that some of the sales will be “relatively simple” while others will be more complex.
They defended the sales by stating that it would be more costly to protect heritage-listed or underused areas.
